TEACHING OF OBSTETRICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21992, 29 June 1933, Page 8

TEACHING OF OBSTETRICS

PROVISION OF NEW HOSPITAL DEPUTATION TO MINISTER REPLY NOT ENCOURAGING (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, June 28. The need for a new maternity hospital in Dunedin was urged upon the Minister of Health (Mr J: A. Young) by a deputation from the council and medical faculty of the University of Otago. the Obstetrical Society of New Zealand, and the Otago Hospital Board, which waited upon him to-day. Sir H. Lindo Ferguson represented the council and medical faculty of Otago University, Mr D. W. Irvine, of Christchurch, represented the Obstetrical Society, Dr W. Newlands represented the Otago Hospital Board, and Professor W. Dawson represented the department of obstetrics and gynecology. The representations of the deputation followed along much the same lines as those made to the Minister last week by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Obstetrical Society. It was again pointed out to the Minister that a sum of £50,000 had been definitely promised for a new maternity hospital at the Medical School in Dunedin, and it was suggested that in view of the announcement bv the Acting Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) that an extra £500,000 would be made available for constructional and developmental work, the claims of the deputation might be considered when the allocation of works was being made. The spokesman for the deputation recalled that four years ago the women of New Zealand brought to a successful conclusion a magnificent effort to raise a sum of money to endow a chair of obstetrics in the Medical School. This effort, it was stated, had been made because it was felt that .there was need for an improvement and expansion of obstetrical training. At that time the Government promised to add the essential coping stone to the scheme by erecting a modern maternity hospital as a focal point for the training in midwifery available in New Zealand. This promise had not been fulfilled, and owing to the economic stress of the past two years the Medical School had refrained from pressing the matter.

The deputation pointed out that the question had been raised again because, whilst the need for extended training in midwifery remained as paramount rfbw as formerly, to this had been added the urgent local needs of Dunedin and district.' The existing provision for maternity cases was neither modern nor adequate, and with the increasing demand for maternity service the position was rapidly becoming acute. It was, therefore, felt that at a time when the Government was allocating large sums of money for relief works the erection of a maternity hospital in Dunedin should receive early and sympathetic consideration. The provision of such an institution would redeem a long-standing promise, would meet urgent local requirements, and would afford facilities for the improved obstetric education of students, which was not only a Dominion neeu, but also' should be New Zealand's contribution to the world-wide campaign against avoidable maternal mortality.

Replying, the Minister said he entertained very little hope of Gnbinet agreeing to grant £50.000. In his opinion, the time would soon come when consideration would have to be given to the question of St. Helens Hospital at Dunedin being taken over by the Otago Hospital Board. What was important at the present time was to have an agreement between the three bodies concerned—the University Council, the Hospital Board, and the Health Department. If they could agree among themselves to keep down expenses as low as possible and submit definite proposals as to what they wanted he would take these to .Cabinet for consideration. No< doubt the Government would be prepared to renovate St. Helens and hand it over to the Hospital Board if the board would agree to accept those conditions.