Maternity hospitals

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 56, 13 July 1938, Page 3

Maternity hospitals

•REPORT RELEASED ! POSITION IN OPQTIKI PROVISION FOR MAORIS HOSPITAL ANNEXE SUGGESTED According to the report of the committee oi inquiry into maternity services which was released on Monday, the accommodation in Opotiki is regarded as adequate, tor tne European population, but proper hospital accommodation is recommended tor Maori patients. In the report, which covers 147 closely, printed pages, each hospital district is reviewed, and' recommendations are made in.eoch case. Opotiki Conditions. “Maori cases” the report states in regard to Opotiki, “are not taken at the private hospital unless sent for some special purpose by a doctor, the reason for this neing the prevalence of skin-infections and the difficulty of isolation. There are no institutional facilities for normal Mabri eases, the majority of whom are confined in their homes, either in native fashion; or by the .district nurse. “It would seem that, so far as the European population is concerned, accommodation is adequate to the needs of the district, but the licensee’s difficulty in collecting fees militates against the smooth running of the Hospital. “Certain additions to the hospital and its equipment are required, but are beyond the means, of the licensee. Chief .among these is a proper nursery and better theatre accommodation. The provision of these requirements by the Hospital Board would make for improved service, and the committee urges that attention he given to this matter. “The committee recommends that adequate hospital accommodation be provided for Maori patients. A fourbed annexe at the public hospital would be sufficient, and until such provision is made little can he done t 0 improve maternity services among the Maori population. .