PLUNKET NURSES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 252, 14 March 1913, Page 4

PLUNKET NURSES.

• ENLARGING TIIEIII SPHERE. By Telegraph. —Per Prtw Association. Oiristchureh, Last Xight. A conference of dclefsates representing tlie various brandies of the Society for the Health of Women ami Children, was continued to-day. A remit from the Christchurch branch 'That in order to increase the benefits to be derived from the I'lunket nurses, the Public Health .Department be asked to arrange for I'lunket nurses to give lectures at St. Helen's Hospitals, when possible," was carried. A remit from Rotorua, suggesting that tin; Plunket nurses might act as a maternity nurse in an emergency in scattered districts, such as Rotorua, was considered. Dr. Yalintine said that both he and Br. Trilby King would draw up certain suggestions for the guidance of Plunket nurses in country districts, and would submit them to the Central Council for consideration. To bind the Plunket nurse down in the same way as was done in the larger centres would be a mistake, hi the country districts there should be general supervision in maternity together with attendance in emergency cases for a stipulated number of hours, lie suggested that the regulations should be that Plunket nurses should attend to the duties for which they were primarily appointed; that the nurses must not be debarred by any rules from undertaking emergency work, and that in country districts on the recommendation of the local committee, it be allowable for the Plunket nurses to undertake the supervision of maternity cases, but not to undertake work which was in the special province of a general practitioner or midwife.

A motion on the lines of Dr. Valintino's suggestion, was carried. The next remit considered was one from Auckland, "That it be suggested that relieving nurses be appointed, one for each Island, and that all centres share in providing her salarv." Dr. Trul>y King said that the proposal would not be feasible at the present Lime, on account of lack of funds. The Conference decided that while in sympathy with the suggestion, the time was not ripe for adopting the proposal. i Another remit from Auckland recommended. that the Public Health Department be requested to issue a sheet of simple rules to be prepared bv Dr. Truby King, regarding the care and feeding of infants, such sheet to be sent to every mother with the registration form. Dr. Valintine said that the Department had already dealt with that matter. A pamnhlet had been prepared by Dr. Trilby King, and would be issued viUiin the next month. The Conference then concluded.