A SEARCH FOR INFORMATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24635, 17 June 1941, Page 6

A SEARCH FOR INFORMATION

10 THE EDITOR

Sir,—ln your Saturday’s issue an anonymous correspondent, “ Maternity,” evidently an' “ expectant father,” complained and made suggestions. The drugs he sought are a,,free issue from any registered pharmacy on the order of a registered maternity nurse which I have to countersign, The normal procedure is for the appropriate parent to talk such things over with the nurse, who does the rest. The drugs are made deliverable to the mother, presumably for reasons which will be obvious to anyone familiar with .the • irregularity of these happy events.' These drugs are usable for many other purposes, are expensive and scarce, yet are delivered months in advance on, a one-sided contract. All the Department of Health requires is that a* nurse who is on our register shall sign the order. , ' In fairness to the inquiry officer of the- G.P.O. and the Social Security Department, where your correspondent called, I should say it might be embarrassing to them if they were made to function, and more so to very young women who might- call to make inquiries. Hitherto, unlike the G.P.0., the Department of Health has been scheduled as an office closing from.l2 to 1. I assure your correspondent that, owing to our contacts with'the, public having been made; closer. I shall immediately endeavour to arrange that during the lunch hour someone will be in attendance to give information. He had a wild goose chase, but he is by no means the first expectant father to require guidance, even reassurance, from doctor or nurse. Had he telephoned me this would have been freely given, but he was right in seeing the nurse.—l am. etc.. T. McKibbin, ; Medical Officer-of Health. : Dunedin, June 16. ~ ■.