TRAINING AT ST. HELEN'S

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1930, Page 9

TRAINING AT ST. HELEN'S

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER PROMISE ’OF CONSIDERATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. , A deputation of women from women’s organisations waited on Ministers today opposing the use of St. Helen s hospitals for the training of students. Replying, the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Foxiest, said the point raised by the deputation had come under his notice for l he first time. He had not been aware until just recently that the alteration in the policy had taken place and had not had an opportunity of discussing the matter with hie colleagues. . “I do not know,” said Mr. I’orbes, “whether the necessity exists for medical students going into these homes for training purposes.” Loud voices: No, it does not exist! “Of course,” said Mr. Forbes, “I would like to hear the other side of the argument as well. However, the feelings of those who have to go into the' homes must receive the very serious consideration of the Government and I can assure you they will.” The Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, observed that there appeared to be a great deal of misapprehension on many phases of the subject. The alteration in the policy had not been of recent growth as it dated back to 1918. That aspect of the department’s activities was administered by technical medical officers whose policy was to make such arrangements with the medical faculty at Dunedin as would provide the ”ery necessary facilities for the training of medical students in midwifery in New Zealand. Mr. R. Semple, M.P.: At the expense of the working mother. The Minister; No. Mrs. Hay: Are your officers able to bind down the Government? The Minister said he was not suggesting that for a moment. He. had not heard previously any suggestion that the law was being violated or not properly administered. The policy had been pursued because on the facts presented to him it seemed to be the thing to do. However, he would consider the representations and submit a reply to Mrs. Hay in writing. It was_ extravagant to declare that an invasion was being made of St. Helen’s hospitals. The statistics revealed that only 16 per cent, of the confinements in those institutions had been attended under the supervision of the matron 1 by final year medical, students who were almost qualified doctors. Voices: No! The Minister: They are six-year students and arc almost qualified doctors. The sixth year was imposed reallv to meet largely the requirements of the British Medical Council, and the best part of .the sixth year was devoted co maternity cases. The Minister added his main concern was to see that medical students obtained essential training in midwifery in New Zealand. It was the professional medical man who was attending to the majority of maternity cases, and that fact had to be taken into consideration. While in the past midwives were being trained in that work hundreds of them were not. in practice and did not intend to practise.