MATERNITY SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 5

MATERNITY SERVICES

PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT HELP GIVEN BY CLINICS WORK IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS The problems facing those who wished to erect hospitals or give maternity services in outlying districts were described by Mrs. W. F. Kent-Johnston in an address last week to representatives of various women's organisations in Christchurch, who were invited to attend by the National Council of Women. Mrs. Kent-Johnston also told of the splendid work that had been done unobtrusively for many years by women who had laboured against almost overpowering odds, and who had worked for small remuneration, their hours often ranging from 60 to 80 a week, with a very short annual leave. These were the midwiveis who had provided facilities that would not otherwise have been offered in their districts.

In visiting various' centres in New Zealand with members of the commission set up by the Government to inquire into the maternity services she had heard the mothers' points of view regarding maternity problems in their districts, stated Mrs. Kent-Johnston. Transport was a major problem in the country. It had been suggested that the only alternative to the erection of small hospitals jn outlying districts was the improvement of roads where a telephone service was not possible. Referring to .transport difficulties, Mrs. Kent-Johnston spoke of hurried night trips across the Waitemata Harbour to hospitals in Auckland, of an aeroplane flight by an expectant mother, whose transport expenses had totalled £4O, and of the hundreds of miles covered by district nurses who visited patients in the North Auckland districts and on West Coast. The speaker pointed out that many women had not yet realised the full benefits to be derived from the antenatal and post-natal clinics, but mothers who had availed themselves of these services were most appreciative, for it often saved them from years of illhealth.