ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1244, 28 September 1911, Page 9

ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

c STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE. Th» Hon. D. Buddo, in reply to a suggestion by Mr. Poland that St. Helens Maternity Hospitals should be free, stated yesterday afternoon in tho House, that' the intention of the Government, when tho St. Helens Hospitals were first established, was to assist the wives of tho working men who,, although able, to afford a certain amount for the time of accouchement, were unable to pay the full fees of both doctor and nurse and other expenses. This provision has been so much appreciated among tho class for whom it is intended that the accommodation in the various St. Helens Hospitals has been barely sufficient. Women once treated there have returned periodically for subsequent accouchemcnts, and the fact that they pay something for their accommodation undoubtedly makes them . appreciate it more fully. Cases, however, are often received for a reduced fee, or, when unable to afford payment, arc referred to the Charitable Aid Board of tho district . and received by special arrangement with the board. Patients an'also attended by the nurses and, when necessary, by the doctors in their own homes for a nominal fee of £1'; or, again; when indigent, for nothing. _ - It is not considered advisable to alter this arrangement which has for over six 3'ears been working so satisfactorily. With regard to the establishment of similar institutions in other centres, this question has already been under consideration, and provision is being made at several of the smaller country hospitals for maternitycases, and women from the country distorts are being trained free at the St. Helens Hospital.