MATERNITY HOSPITALS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17951, 1 December 1932, Page 7

MATERNITY HOSPITALS

PROPOSED ALTERATIONS LABOR PARTY CRITICAL NO REDUCTION OF SERVICE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A fear that certain clauses of the hospitals amending legislation presage the closing of St. Helen’s maternity hospitals conducted by the State led the Labor opposition in the House to continue its hostility to the measure, then methods bunging members into conflict with the chairman of committees, Mr. S. G. Smith, who bad to apply firmly the standing order relating to tedious repetition. The clause giving power, on the recommendation oh a commission of inquiry, to close superfluous institutions or restrict forms of relief granted therein, was only brought to finality by the use of the closure. Contention was revived on clause 13 that hospital boards shall, if directed by the department, provide maternity hospitals or treatment. Labor members were again insistent that behind it lay the possibility of the State avoiding its responsibility for this class of treatment. They eventually brought the Prime Minister to his feet with a clear statement that maternity treatment is regarded as an important responsibility. The clause, he said, was designed for the express purpose of making! such provision. Sometimes‘tliere members on boards who were not so broad-minded as members of Parliament, and they might fail in their duty, but the clause would give the Director-General of Health power to say it must be done. Some hospital boards had not seen eye to -eye with the department. There had, for instance, been arguments as to bow far they should go in the provision of relief as compared with the Unemployment Board. Therefore, there were times when the Government must lay down a policy to provide what was necessary. He could not understand Labor members doing- their best to stop tho passage of so useful a measure. If the absence of their leader at Motueka was responsible, then the sooner he came back the bettor. (Laughter.) The chairman: Order! All reference to Motueka is out of order. (Renewed laughter.) The Hon. J. A. Young said there were seven St. Helen’s Hospitals in the Dominion, which provided 131 maternity beds, and 33 hospitals already provided maternity services. The clause would not reduce the St. Helen’s hospital services to the people. Tn some cases hospital boards had-questioned the legal right of the department to call upon them to provide maternity beds, and it was desired to make the position clear. The clause was passed. Labor members expresed approval of tlie clause of the bill fixing the maximum for hours worked by nurses in public hospitals, but advocated that the maximum should be further reduced to 43 "hours weekly and that, it should also apply to private institutions. Tiie clause passed and the bill was put through committee without amendment.