ST HELENS HOSPITALS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17280, 22 September 1916, Page 5

ST HELENS HOSPITALS

EXTENSION OF FUNCTIONS

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, September 21

The Minister of Public Health states that there will be established at once at St Helens Hospital, Wellington, and at all other St Helens Hospitals in tho Dominion clinics where expectant mothers will bo able to obtain advice and treatment as out-patients. Circulars are being sent to all medical Practitioners in each distrTct advising them of the position, and inviting flioir co-operation. . - Tho clinic will be in charge of the medical officer of St Helens Hospital in each centre, and any patients Who may not bo 1 iii a position to pay fees for pre-natal advice and treatment will be able to obtain this 1 information of treatment by applying to tho matron or medical officer. Those patients who -have engaged the services of a private medical practitioner for confinement will be -strictly regarded as private oatients, and will not be booked f6r admission to tho hospital, except whero the condition is considered to require hospital treatment, and with the consent of the doctor so engaged. No /voman whose ‘husband is in receipt of more than £4 per week will bo entitled to treatment at these clinicsl Recommendations forwarded by medical practitioners, whether private or public, for treatment at these hospitals will be carefully dealt with and in such cases patients, after receiving pre-natal treatment in hospital, will be- able to return to their homes, for confinement. The Minister hopes that tho conditions now brought about will have the effect of materially assisting wage earners and also members of friendly societies who come within tho limitation of salary mentioned,