HELPING THE WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1916, Page 7

HELPING THE WORKERS.

ESTABLISHMENT OF MATERNITY CLINICS. , '

. Wellington, September 21. The Minister for Public Health states that there will be established |lt once at St. Helen's, Wellington, ancj at all the other St Helen's hospitals in the Domonion, clinics where expectant mothers will bt! able to obtain advice and treatment as out-patients. Circulars are being sent to all the medical practitioners in each district advising tliem of the position and inviting their co-operation. The clinic will be in charge of a medical officer of St. Helen's hospital in each centre, and any patients who may not be in a position to pay fees for prenatal advice and treatment will be able to obtain this information and treatment by applying to the matron or medical officer. Those patients who have engaged the services of a private medical practitioner for a confinement will be strictly regarded as private patients, and will not be booked for admission to a hospital except where the condition of the patient is considered to require hospital tveatment, and with the consent of the • doctor so engaged. No woman whose I husband, is in receipt of more than £4 | per tveek will be entitled to treatment at these clinics.

Recommendations forwarded by medical practitioners, whether private or public, for treatment at these hospitals will ie carefully dealt with, and, in such cases, patients after receiving prenatal treatment in hospitals will be able to return to their homes for confinement. The Minister hopes that the conditions now brought about will have the effect ol materially assisting the wagcjenrners, and also members of friendly societies who come within the limitation of the salary mentioned.