PLUNKET SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 7

PLUNKET SOCIETY

DUNEDIN BRANCH The monthly meeting of the committee of the Dunedin branch of the Plunket Society was held on Friday. Those present were: Mrs J. McGeorgc (in the chair). Lady Sidey, Mesdames J. Begg, C. M. Bruce, J. J. Cairney, L. F. Cleghorn, H L. Longbottom, A. S. Moody, S. Pans. D. Reid, W. T. Smellie, F. J. Turner, J. Williams, W. Cunninghame, and B. Ward (Port Chalmers). Robinson and Bauld (Wakari), Walker (Waverley). and Miss E G. Johnstone. The matron of the Truby King-Harris Hospital reported that, during the month of November, 19 mothers and 37 babies had been admitted and 20 mothers and 35 babies had been discharged. Patients had been admitted from Alexandra, Benhar, Roxburgh. Waimate. Kaitangata, Ranfurly. Seacliff Balclutha, Tapanui, Abbotsford. and Waitati: all the rest were from Dunedin and suburbs. At the beginning of the month a small premature baby, weighing lib lOoz was admitted, and is making satisfactory progress, Lectures were given by Miss Duthie and Miss Hamilton to Plunket and senior Karitane nurses Examinations for both Plunket and Karitane nurses have been held. Sister De.v has returned to the staff after taking the post-graduate course, and this month relieved Sister Cobeldick, who has been on annual holiday On November 7 an inspection of the Hospital and Nurses' Home was conducted bv Miss Barnett. of the Health Department,

The charge nurse reported that during November Dr Deem visited some of the suburban rooms and did a height and weight survey of babies under one year of age The rooms at Mosgiel, North-East Valley. Mornlngton. and Anderson's Bav were visited, and the mothers attended most willingly. Pre-school clinics con-tinue-to be held each week, but on account of sickness the attendances have not been up to the usual standard. On November 11 Miss Darling supervised foui Karitane nurses for their practical examination.

In the report summarising the work of the Dunedin Plunket nurses for November it whs stated that there were 2128 babies on the list and 924 older children;. 1456 visits had been paid to homes and 4815 visits paid to offices (2369 mothers, 2179 babies. 267 older children), and there were 140 new cases for the month. Visits paid to suburban rooms were: Mornington 11. Roslyn 8, Caversham 8, Wakari 7. St. Clair 4, North-East Valley 8. Maori Hill 4, Anderson's Bay 8. Waverley 4, South Dunedin rooms daily 2-4 p.m. Plunket aid meetings have been held at Waitati and Seacliff.