Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 24th, 1920. MATERNITY CASES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 24th, 1920. MATERNITY CASES.

YYhilk here last week, Mr geddon M.P. was approached in respect to the establishment of a St. Helen’s Home for Hokitika. The necessity for such an eslocally appears to be beyond question. Until lately, licensed mid-wives Were able to meet tlic demands fairly well, and for country people very good accommodation and attendance were provided. Circumstances have so depleted the local accommodation of late, that now there is quite a serious shortage. The position is particularly serious to country folk, who have great difficulty in ranking arrangements locally, hence the need for the Home, and the request to the Member for the District to move in the matter. Mr .Seddon promised to see the Public Health officers immediately on his return to Wellington this week,'and it is to be hoped early action wdl |„. taken, as from statements made it is urgently necessary to see such a Home established here. When the Hon. ,1. Y\ . Russell was here as Minister <-f Health -lie detailed to the Hospital Trustees what should be done in the matter. If wo remember aright lie ask ed for certain information as to the cost or rental of a suitable building and promised if arrangements could be made to assist in the establishment of the Home. Apparently the matter is still in suspense, but public needs now cali for a revival of local interest, and the Board could not do better than reopen tn 0 matter at its meeting this week. Enquiry as to the necessity for the public convenience wilt soon satisfy the authorities if they will seek for

tile information in the right quarter and they need not go beyond registered practitioners to satisfy themselves as to the urgency for action, Recently at both Westport and 'Keefton branches of the St. Helen’s nursing scheme have been established. At AVestport tile local press speak very highly of the arrangements made, and it can be well understood similar arrangements would •be equally acceptable here. There s the call, it is very pleasing to say for such services being at the disposal of those requiring them. The St. Helen’s Home movement was initiated by the late Mr Seddon, and it seems remarkable that-his old district should be the last to come into the working of the scheme. AA riting on the position in the 13uller district, a- AA r estport paper says that tile services of the district nurse

are available at the small fee of £1 for any maternity case, where the husband’s

income does not exceed £4 per week This includes the actual confinement and nursing required when visiting tile patient twice a day for three days, or longer if necessary, and once a day for the remaining seven or eight dav.i. Here, it may be aisd, the nurse is at full liberty to use her discretion as the ease dermftids. In abnormal cases where it may lx? necessary ‘for the nurse to remain in the house to take full charge of the patient, a charge of os a day or 30s per week is made. For those who can afford it, the usual St. Helen’s fee of £3 3s per week is made, but in these days of high cost of living, when £4 does not go far when the family is already large, and the great outcry is “increase the birthrate” th 0 nurse is again at liberty to use her discretion as to the charge to be made In the AA 7 estland district owing to the number of country cases, a nursing 'Home is imperatively necessary, and j this matter cannot be taken up too j soon, as from all accounts its pro- • 1 vision is of great urgency. The Hospital Board which would be tlie controlling authority should co-operate at once in regard to the immediate establishment of a Si. Helen’s Nursing Home.