H.—3la.

The Hon. Minister of Health. Sir — The Committee of Inquiry appointed by you to inquire into and report upon the maternity services of the Dominion has the honour to submit herewith its report: —

INTRODUCTORY. ORIGIN AND SCOPE OF INQUIRY. As a consequence of the report of the Committee set up by the Hon. the Minister of Health to inquire into the question of the practice of abortion, concern was felt as to whether the present maternity facilities of New Zealand adequately provided for all mothers, both in the town and country. In order that the Government should have full information as to the position in all parts of the Dominion the Hon. the Minister appointed the following Committee to inquire into the question : — D. G. McMillan, Esq., M.8., Ch.B., M.P. (Chairman). Miss Sylvia G. de L. Chapman, M.D., D.G.O. (T.C.D.), Medical Superintendent, St. Helens Hospital, Wellington. Mrs. Janet Praser, J.P. Mrs. Amy M. Hutchinson, J.P. Mrs. N. G. Kent-Johnston. T. F. Corkill, Esq., M.D., M.R.C.P. (Edin.), F.C.O.G. T. L. Paget, Esq., M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P. (Lond.), Director of Maternal Welfare. The function and duty laid upon the Committee was as follows :— 1. Generally to inquire into and report upon any matters affecting the maternity services of the Dominion and to put forward any relevant recommendations. 2. In particular to inquire into and report— (a) Whether the maternity hospital services of the Dominion are adequate and efficient in respect of— (1) Maternity hospitals and maternity wards established by Hospital Boards. (2) Maternity hospitals maintained by the Government. (3) Private maternity hospitals. (b) Whether the ante-natal and post-natal services of the Dominion are adequate, and, if not, in what respects they should be extended. (c) Whether the organized district nursing services which afford a maternity service are adequate and satisfactory. (d) The extent to which anaesthetics are administered to women in childbirth in public maternity hospitals and whether this procedure should be extended. < (e) Whether the training of midwives and maternity nurses is satisfactory and adequate, and whether the number of persons who are being trained is sufficient for the needs of the Dominion. The Minister of Health expressed his desire that the Committee should hear such evidence and representations on the above-mentioned matters, and make such inspections as might be necessary fully to inform the Committee on the questions referred to it. To enable the Committee to meet those interested and desiring to give evidence and also to make the necessary inspections of facilities available it was found necessary

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