MATERNITY NURSING

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1924, Page 4

MATERNITY NURSING

Aff'KkAND, Aug. 11. There is some concern in -Auckland over the threatened voluntary closing of several private maternity hospitals. Heprespniatives of these small institutions state that they are unable lnr financial reasons to -meet all the requirements of the revised regulations, and earn a living, with perlmpa a small profit. Tit ere is talk of surrendering their licenses in October. The position in Auckland i' singular from a medical point of view. Ihe accommodation for maternity cases fn well-equipped private hospitals is limited ; indeed, a shortage is admitted by expert observers. The circumstances necessitate either an increase in the number of such hospitals, or the establishment of a commodious public hospital for maternity cases. The position 1111" already caused embarrassment io a number ol prospective mothers, who have found dillicuty in arranging for accommodation in private hospitals. From a general point of view, however, the popularity of private hospital treatment has waned. -Many more pntioiiTs than Usual are now being attended in their own homes. The old--fashioned sentiment about being horn at home has been revived. The sep-, Uraemia scare, too, lias not yet keen dispersed. What was recommended bv I lie Coinmi: sum w hit'll recently investigated cases of maternal mortality in Auckland promises to conn- much more quickly than was generally anticipated. Tli,. t oiiiiiiis'iim found Dial the private maternity hospital system in Now Zealand was unsatisfactory from every standpoint, and staled bluntly that, while its services to the cemnmnil.' should lie recognised, a complete. and drastic change was called lor. I liere is a feeling among proprietors and lessees nf such hospitals that they are being harassed by Hie regulations.

That, ot course is an exaggeration, lull tlie feeling exists. Other observers say that the process ol gradual extinguishment was in operation long before there was any sign of preparation of a better system. The new policy does not yet appear 1,, be constructive. It merely eliminates. without any development in ■> more serviceable direction.