ST. HELENS HOME INQUIRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 3

ST. HELENS HOME INQUIRY

Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 5. At the St. Helens Home inquiry today Dr. P. A. Lindsay said ho considered the home in every way an admirably conducted institution, haring regard for the population and size ot the city of Auckland. He did not think the present building a suitable one for a maternity home, but considering the building itself and its situation he thought the home did remarkably good work and the results compared favourably with those of any other maternity home. The position of the institution certainly was a very handy one, but that was about all that oonld be said in favour of it. Ho would prefer to see it on a site further removed from the tramline. In reply to a question from the Commissioner, Dr. Lindsay said he did not think it would be advisable for the home to be an adjnnct of the general hospital. The Commissioner: In your opinion is the existing site one that shonld be abandoned if a more suitable one could be obtained? Witness: Yes. Do you think, in the interests ot those who use the home, it would bo a good thing to have a resident medical officer whose sole duty would be to look after those in the home?—No. I think it would be a preposterous thing to have a resident medical offi oer solely for the institution. Witness, in response to further questions, said he did not think more than one medical officer was necessary for the home. With regard to keeping case books, he thought that in public institutions such as the St. Helens Home the book shonld be kept regularly and as fully as possible. He did not think it would be at all practicable for patients to be allowed to nominate their own medical attendants.