ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1913, Page 3

ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

THE AUCKLAND ENQUIRY DR. VALINTINE GIVES EVIDENCE. (Bt TELEGRAPH— t»RESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 10th February. At the St. Helens enquiry, further evidence was given by Mr. Schofield (chairman of the Hospital Board) and Miss Rl'Lean (Assistant Inspector of Hospitals). Under cross-examination, MissM'Lean stated that she had written to the Central Midwives' Board of England, asking it to recognise nurses trained in New Zealand without necessity for further examination in England. In reply, she had been informed that steps to bring this about were being taken, but that so far, owing to pressure of business, the change bad not been brought about. Dr. Valintine (Inspector-General of Hospitals) submitted a , lengthy report on the administration of St. Helens Hospitals, and the measures taken to give effect to the intentions of their founder (Mr. Seddon). Dr. Valintine claimed that, despite many drawbacks, the St. Helens institutions had been a success. Since they were initiated, 6420 mothers had been treated and 6274 babies had been born alive therein. Maternal deaths numbered 23, or .34 pel'/ cent., this low mortality being especially satisfactory when tlie urgent nature of some of the, cases admitted was taken into consideration. In addition to the above, 205 nurses had been trained. It was not claimed that the system could not be improved, but to do so a good deal of money was needed. With the exception of the recentlyopened hospital in Wellington,^ none of the buildings were really suitable for hospital purposes, nevertheless they were doing a great work. It would be scarcely fair to the people in the country districts to greatly increase the accommodation and expense on behalf of people in the four chief towns while the needs of equa!ly-deserving women in the backblocks were so inadequately met. More midwives were wanted in the backblocks, and medical residents in more remote districts should be subsi* dised, By means of the existing institutions, some 60 midwives were trained every year, and this number, with those who were admitted on oVersea certifi* cates, should meet the demands of the Dominion even in country districts. Continuing his evidence, Dr. Valintine said, in regard to the statement that details of cases were not available, that in each •of the maternity homes the matron had to keep records in no fewer than 21 books, as well as to fill in numerous returns. The books at St. Helens Home were particularly well ke{t. He denied that any of the casebooks had been destroyed, but admitted that the rough books from which they were made up had been done away with. At this stage Mrs. Nicol and Mr.* Skelton wished to investigate the indoor' case books. Dr. Valintine : I must ask your Wor-' ship not to allow the books to be inspected by anyone. There are matters' of family history contained in the books which it would not be fair to place in the : ] hands of unscrupulous persons. Mrs. Nicol: Oh, I am not an unscrupulous person. It is-— Dr. Valintine : I did not mention your name, madam. Mrs. Nicol again objected to tlie remarks of Dr. valintine, and added that if the books were not made available she would withdraw from the enquiry.' She did not ask for the privilege outof idle curiosity, but wished merely to study the entries concerning the special casep under discussion. Mr. Skelton supported Mrs. Nicol's stand, and urged that it was in the best interests of the public that he and. Mrs. Nicol should be allowed to inspect the * book in question. The Commissioner said that the matter was an important one, and he would have to consider it thoroughly before giving his ruling. Mrs. Nicol retired for the time being, and ultimately took a seat in the body of the Court. The examination Of Dr. Valintine was continued. He stated that at St. Helens Home last year the mortality rate was as low as .14 per cent. In other respects the position at the institution was' equally satisfactory. During the last ten years the mortality rate of infants in the Dominion had decreased considerably, but he would not go as far as to say A that St. ' Helens Homes haa been indirectly responsible for this. However, in Auckland last year there were only 63 deaths per 1000 babies compared with. 140 per 1000 !n 1902. Continuing, he characterised the suggestion that a resident medical officer should be appointed to the home as absurd, for, apart from other reasons, what necessity was there for a resident officer in a home where there were only, twelve beds? He was opposed to the homes being placed under' the control of the hospital and charitable aid boards, as be considered -that in that case they would not,be so well managed as at present. Further, he did not consider it advisable that single women should be admitted to the homes, as there was plenty of accommodation elsewhere. Asked whether she had anj» questions to put, Mrs. Nicol said she would crossexamine when she had the Commissioner's ruling upon the question as to whether the indoor case book should be made available t& ktt* ■