ST. HELENS HOSPITALS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 30, 30 October 1917, Page 6

ST. HELENS HOSPITALS

THE FACILITIES THE! OFFER, In the course of his speech at the opening of tha Baby Week campaign ycsteriTiiy, the Minister of Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell) gave some facia as to St Helens hospitals and tho facilities they offered to women. Tho Minister did not think that tho fine work done by tho Government in our institutions could be ignored. Eight I or ton years ago Mr. Seddon had established in the four centres St. .Helens hospitals. These had boon increased during tho past twelve months by one at Invercargill, and another yet to be opened ,at Napier, making in all six hospitals. At various towns, Wanganui, Naw Flymouth, and Nelson, arrangements were being made to establish' in connection with the ordinary hospitals, maternity wards for the convenience and comfort of the prospective mothers of this country. At these St. Helens hospitals treatment was being given to those women whose husbands did not earn more than M a week. Formerly those whose husbands were earning over ,£3 per week wore barred. Any prospective mother could go to the hospital and obtain treatment thero at leas cost than if she were in her own home. Up to, her accouchement she paid £1 per week, and after that for two weeks sho would be asked to pay JEI IDs., for which she would receive medical attention, nursing, maintenance, etc. There was also an outdoor department in connection with these institutions, so the mothers could get advice from tho matron or doctor, no charge being made. After the child was born the nurses followed up the case with advice for the feeding, clothing, ind care of the child, all outside wnat had already been' paid for. There.were about 700 to SOD births at St. Helens hospitals per year, and the returns showed that the results were most successful and above the average of the cases of childbirth-' which took place in the homes of the peoplo concerned.