PLUNKET SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 12

PLUNKET SERVICES

QUESTION OF PAYMENT MEDICAL ADVISER'S VIEWS NO CHARGE CONTEMPLATED "Tho Flunket Society is at present an altruistic body working in a. spirit of service for humanity and if payment is to be demanded for.the services it renders the whole character of its work will bo changed," said Dr. (Martin Tweed, medical adviser to the society, yesterday at the annual conference of Auckland branches of the society, when discussing tho suggestion that charges sliould bo made. "It is true," Dr. Tweed said, "that assistance has been given by the Government, but it should bo realised that the cost of the services given by tho society ■would have to bo provided either wholly or in part by tho Government through hospital boards or in some other way." Mothers knew and appreciated the services of the Flunket nurses, and the organisation was ono that knew no class distinctions. Rich ami poor aliko sought ils aid, and that aid was free to all. Dr. Tweed jiointed out that if a, different principlo were followed a very difficult task would confront the Flunket nurses in deciding who should and who should not be asked to pay. Mothers who wero in poor circumstances but independent of spirit and who were seeking to do the best they could for their children would feel very diffident about seeking help if unable to pay, ho said. Indifferent mothers would not care, but tho babies would suffer. Another point was that no mother would caro to pay a fixed cliargo for advico for a baby who was perfectly well, yet the aim of the society was to keep tho babies in good health. Dr. Tweed also stated his opinion that tho incomo of tho society would suffer if a. charge wero mado and much voluntary support would bo withdrawn. Any departure from tho expressed policy of the society in this respect would only recoil upon the. innocent heads of the babies of tho community and upon tho mothers whom tho society canto into being to help. So far as ho knew no change whatever in the fundamental aims and objects of the society originally laid down by Sir Truby King was contemplated by the executive. Dr. Tweed paid a tributo to the sympathetic attitudo of tho Government as exemplified by tho present Minister' of Health, lion. J. A. Young, and to tho cooperation given by tho Health Department.

THE NURSE AND THE DOCTOR POSITION Cf-EAIILY DEFINED A short address upon ono or two important aspects affecting the work of the Plunket Society was given by Dr. Martin Tweed at the opening yesterday of tlio Auckland provincial conference. The aims of the society were reiterated, and the primary functions of the Plunket nurse, her duty to the community and her relations with the medical fraternity outlined. "Criticism has been levelled at what is being done Ivy the society in New Zealand," said Dr. Tweed, "but its rules and constitution were drawn up by Sir Trilby King with tlio aid of (lie highest legal authorities in the Dominion and have never hecn altered for a-quarter of a century." Speaking of the functions of Plunket nurses, Dr: Tweed said it had been laid down clearly by Sir Truby King what they were. In elaborating his subject ho added, "The nurse is a teacher of health and her work purely and simply is that of a health missioner. The function of dm society and its nurses is not to treat siclr mothers and babes, but to help and advise mothers how to keep themselves and their infants permanently healthy." Cases, however, had been brought bofore doctors where Plunket nurses had been treating sick children and in such cases the nurses had been exceeding their duty. In defining the attitude that should ho taken by the nurse Dr. Tweed said that where there was any doubf, about the health of the child she should advise that the family doctor be called in, and where there was no family doctor the nurse should he perfectly neutral as to whom should be consulted. Hp would suggest that where a Plunket nurse saw a baby declining in health she would write a note to the mother advising her to consult a doctor and by so doing the onus would rest upon the shoulders of the mother. 'J lie central council, he added, was considering the advisability of taking steps to make (he position of (lie nurse in regard to the medical profession perfectly clear.