MATERNITY BONUSES IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3198, 24 September 1917, Page 7

MATERNITY BONUSES IN AUSTRALIA

SERIOUS WASTE EXPOSED. According to the report of the committee appointed by the federal Ministry to inquire concerning' the causes of death and invalidity in the Commonwealth, the "extent .of', maternal mortality in childbirth' in 'Australia is such us to givfi cause for grave concern. The committee considers that the problem of preventing deaths during labour, resolves itself into a matter of insuring tliat every mother before, during, and after child-birth, is attended by a midwifery nurse- who is adequately qualified, who is proved to be reliable, and whose practice is governed by such control that she is obliged to siimmon medical assistance at the first sign' of impending danger. The results obtained in- g hospitals or where skilled attention is available, showed that four of the fivo principal causes of death can be almost entirely eliminated. Had this result been obtained in the Commonwealth in 1915, in--stead of 576 deaths during 'labo.ur there would have Been only, 15i deaths. _The committee urges the .registration, of all midwifes, and a preliminary examination to ensure that the nurses registered shall be properly trained and qualified. The Ministry is recommended to-make avail-' able a sum of money to guarantee a fair income to nurses who settle in country districts, so that all people may have the. oenefit of skilled attendance. The committee also strongly.-urges the immediate' establishment of ante-natal cl'nics'in ;the more populons : districts, so that expectant mothers may havo the benefit of- scientific advice. The present disbursement of nearly ,£700,000 a- year on maternity bonuses is the subject of considerable comment in the report. . The : committee considers that neither the community nor the individukl recipient receives a fair measure of benefit from the present method of assisting mothers. It declares that the introduction of the maternity bonuses ,has produced no noticeable reduction in the maternity mortality.

The committee considers that much light could, be shed upon the problem of utilising national funds to _ the-best advantage by the accumulation of knowledge concerning causes of illness and death amongst jthe recipients of the bonus. It is 1 therefore l'ecommended that f6r a period of twelve months . a systematic preliminary inquiry be made concerning these matters. Correct answers to questions designed to elicit the necessary information might be required as a condition of receiving the bonus, and special inquiry should follow, into the reasons for and factors associated with each case of illness or death. Th.e answers would he filled in by the nurse in attendance, ' and would form a temporary substitute for the regular systematic reports already recommended.