A CASE FOR URGENT ACTION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 4

A CASE FOR URGENT ACTION

It seems apparent from ministerial statements that the health authorities have been aware for some little time that a serious shortage of hospital accommodation in Wellington for maternity cases is pending. This being the case, many people no doubt will wonder why no official reference was made to the position, and no assurance of action forthcoming to ease the minds of those directly concerned, until the threatening shortage was disclosed on Wednesday last by a member of the Wellington Hospital Board (Mrs. Knox Gilmer). It is obvious from vthat has now been admitted that many expectant mothers have been worried by being informed that accommodation could not be guaranteed after November next. This might have been avoided had an early undertaking been given that it would be dealt with. . . , The provision of adequate maternity hospital facilities is a vital necessity, and the position in Wellington calls for urgent action. The Minister’s assurance that steps have already been taken by his department, and that negotiations are in progress with the object of retaining existing facilities until the new St. Helens Hospital is completed,, will relieve anxiety for the time being, but full details of the position should be made known to the public as soon as possible. In particular there is need for explanation of the hint that the Wellington Hospital Board may be required to “assist” in a matter in which the Government has taken upon itself special responsibility under the social security scheme. The community will be on guard lest advantage.be taken of the looming shortage to attempt to shoulder the hospital board with further additions to the already heavy burden of social welfare costs which it is being obliged to bear.