THE MIDWIVES ACT.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIV, Issue 3042, 22 January 1913, Page 3

THE MIDWIVES ACT.

SKILtKD NURSES

The Minister ot Public Health has replied as iollbvs to the Hon. VV. F. Massey relative to correspondence from a resident of Waihou: —" With reference to the letter complaining that the administration of the 'Midwives Act falls very heavily on settlers, I would point out that the Act, 1904, was passed with a view to preventing unskilled persons from practising the art of midwifery, and for the purpose of providing instruction at Maternity Hospitals ior women who wish .to take up midwifery work. Asa result there are few districts in the Dominion where competent midwives are not available for the community. It.is true that a few people prefer to- employ unskilled nurses 11V preteience to those who have received training, but the better conditions obtained under the present system arc generally recognised. I would particularly like to impress upon your conespondent the lact that in those districts where no skilled nurses arc available, the department has not prosecuted, nor does H intend-to prosecute women who undertake maternity work, though they are not qualified, The department recognises that better facilities should be given, especially in the backblocks, 1 and to that end every endeavour has been made to :—(l) Influence Hospital Boards in the direction ot appointing district nurses, who are also skilled midwives, for work m thr, back blocks ; and (2) erect maternity wards in connection with our Cottage Hospitals so that these institutions can be used at a reasonable cost. The department thoroughly recognises the need ior supplying the back blocks with nurses, and is doing all it can to encourage midwives to go to those districts, special inducements being given to persuade them to take up country work." '