OBSTETRICS HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22268, 22 May 1934, Page 7

OBSTETRICS HOSPITAL

THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE COMMENT BY DR DORIS GORDON. Some interesting comments on the situation which has developed as a result of the Government's decision that it cannot accept the proposals placed before it by the. Otago Hospital Board in connection' with the establishment of a new obstetrics hospital in Dunedin were made last night by Dr Doris Gordon, of Stratford, Taranaki, who is at present, in Dunedin in connection with the recent, medical examinations. " The Minister's ultimatum that unless the Hospital Board takes over St. Helen* Hospital within three months, steps will be taken to close the institution, though, perhaps, savouring of 'shock tactics.' may serve a useful ,purpose in bringing the whole of this hospital controversy to a crisis," said Dr Gordon. " The Hospital Board has stated emphatically that it will not take over St. Helens, and in this it will have the whole-hearted support of the Obstetrical Society and the women's welfare interests throughout New Zealand.

"The building is old, and should have been vacated 10 years ago," continued Dr Gordon. "It can never be made suitable for use as the headquafters of obstetrical training in the Dominion. Approximately 150 women make use of the hospital annually, and the danger exists, in the event of a hasty decision being arrived at to close the institution, that these women will find themselves without obstetrical accommodation. They cannot rely upoh'vthe Batchelor Hospital as that institution is full all the time and normal patients are being sent home on the tenth day to make room for new ones. It is obvious," she concluded, "that if the Minister's threats are carried out, a dramatic situation will arise in Dunedin." One fact seemed to have been overlooked, Dr Gordon said, and that was that it had been hoped that the new obstetrical hospital would serve as a centre for post-graduate study. Many New Zealand doctors in practice in country districts had frequently asked that they should be given the opportunity, in vacation period, to take a short refresher course in advanced obstetrics, but so far these requests had had to be refused owing to the lack of the necessary, facilities in the New Zealand Medical School.

"It is a fitting commentary on the situation," said Dr Gordon in conclusion, " that overseas visitors who are shown over the Medical School and are impressed with the Dominion's educational facilities are seldom shown either of the obstetrical teaching hospitals for fear that their good impressions will be shattered."