PLUNKET SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22859, 14 October 1937, Page 3

PLUNKET SOCIETY

EXTENSION OF WORK NURSING STAFF INCREASED APPOINTMENTS TO HOSPITAL The monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of the Plunket Society was held yesterday morning. Mrs. J. C. Allan presided. Reference to the passing of Miss A. Pattrick, former Director of Plunket Nursing, whose death occurred recently in London, was made by Mrs. Allan. Miss Pattrick, she said, had been closely associated with Sir Truby King since 1913 in the rapid growth of the society in New Zealand, and in the establishment of the mothercraft training centre in London. Those who had had the privilege of knowing her would always cherish her memory. Increase of Staff During the month a committee had been formed in the Mount Eden district, the president, Mrs. W. J. Hicks, and the secretary, Mrs. F. N. Council, were welcomed to the meeting. Miss Barbara Thorne George, who had undertaken the duties of honorary secretary of the central committee, was' also welcomed. Miss Chapman reported that in the pre-natal department 48 expectant mothers had been seen for the first time, 240 return visits had been paid to the department, and 285 mothers were under supervision. In the postnatal section 205 new baby cases had been seen, 1180 home visits had been paid, and 7623 mothers and babies had visited the various offices. The nursing staff had been increased by the addition of Miss A. S. White. This had enabled the work to be extended. Rooms had been opened at Birkenhead and at Brown's Bay.

The resignation of Miss S. V. Norris on account of ill-health was accepted with regret. Miss Norris has been in charge of the pre-natal department for the past three years. She has been succeeded by Miss A. Lundon. Miss Hunt reported that six mothers and 20 babies had been admitted to the Truby King Kai'tane Hospital during the month. Miss Cave was appointed to the hospital staff to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mifis L. E. Peacocke. The following donations toward furnishing the new section at the hospital were received: —Te Kuiti. £7 7s; Te Awamutu, £5; Onehunga, £5. Specialists Appointed The following specialists were appointed to the consultant staff of the Truby King Karitane Hospital:—Ear, nose and throat surgeon, Mr. Eric Macdonald; orthopaedic surgeon, Mr. Selwyn Morris; surgeons, Mr. A. Eisdell Moore, Dr. E. B. H. Milsom (a member of the advisory board since 1914); pathologist, Dr. W. Gilmour; psychiatrist, Dr. J. E. Caughey; skin specialist, Dr. H. W. Wilson. Delegates were appointed to represent the Auckland branch at the forthcoming conference in Wellington, and remits for the conference were discussed.