ST. HELENS HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 8

ST. HELENS HOME

(fESTERDAYi’S PROCEEDINGS AT THE INQUIRY. REPORT BY DR VALINTINE. Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 10. At the St. Helens Home inquiry further evidence was given by Mr Schofield, chairman of the Hospital Board, and Miss McLean, assistant inspector of hospital. . . Under cross-examination Miss McLean stated she had written to the Central Midwifes’ Board, England, asking it to recognise nurses trained in Now Zealand without the necessity for further examination in England. In reply she had been informed tliat steps to bring this about were being taken, but that, so far, owing to the pressure of business, tho change had not been brought about. Dr Valintine, Inspector-General or Hospitals, submitted ■ a lengthy report on the administration of St. Helens hospitals and the measures taken to give effects to the intentions of their founder, Mr Seddon. Dr Valintine claimed that despite many drawbacks St. Helens institutions had been a success. Since they were initiated 6420 mothers had been treated, and 62/4 babies had been born alive therein-, maternal deaths numbered twentythree, or .84 per cent,* this low mortality being especially satisfactory when tho 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 recently-opened hospital in Wellington none of the buildings were really suitable for hospital purposes. Nevertheless, they were doing great work. It would be scarcely fair to people living in country districts to greatly increase the accommodation and expense on behalf of people in the four chief towns while the needs of equally deserving women in the backblocks were so inadequately met. More midwives were wanted in the backblocks, and medical residence in the more remote districts should be subsidised. By means of the existing institutions some sixty mid wives are trained every year, and this number, with those who are admitted on oversea certificates, should meet the demands of the Dominion even in country districts. In regard to the statement that details of the cases were not available, in each of the maternity homes the matron had to keep records in no less than twenty-one books, as well as to fill in numerous returns. Tho books at St. Helens Home were particularly well kept. He denied that any of the case-bocks had been destroyed, hut admitted that 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 Worship not to allow the books to he 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, aam not an unscrupulous person I It is —^ — Dr Valintine: I did not mention your name, madam. Mrs Nicol again objected to the remarks of Dr Valintine, and added that if the books were not made available she would withdraw from the inquiry. She did not ask for tho privilege out of idlo curiosity, but wished merely to study the entries concerning the special cases under discussion. Mr Skelton supported Mrs Nicol’* stand, and urged that it was in the best interests of the public that lie and Mrs Nicol should be allowed to inspect tho book in question. Tho Commissioner saw that the matter was an important one, and ho 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 wa* continued. Ho stated that at St. -Helens Home last year the mortality rate was as low as .14 per cent. In other respects tho position at the institution was equally satisfactory. During tho last ten years the mortality rate of infants in the Dominion had decreased considerably, but he would not go as far as to say that St. Helena homes had been indirectly responsible for this. However, in Auckland last year there were only sixty-three deaths per 1000 babies compared with 140 per 1000 in 1902. He characterised the suggestion that a resident medical officer should Do appointed to the horns 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 homes being placed under tho control of hospital and charitable aid boards, as he conaidired that in that case they would not be so well managed as at present. Further, ho 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 any question* to put, Mrs Nicol said she would crossexamine when she had the Commissioner’s ruling upon iho question as to whether the indoor case book should ba made available to her. ' The commission then adjourned.