CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL
Sir,-Without detracting in any way from the good intentions and good work of the nurses in hospitals I think that only the mother can give the sick child the real security and comfort it needs. To have to leave a sick child in the care of others causes suffering to both mother and child which would be considerably alleviated if daily visits were allowed. To a small child even a day is long enough. The’ parting after the weekly visit is bound to be much more distressing than if Nurse can. say, "Mummy will be here again tomorrow." Crying is distressing to hear, but it may be less harmful to the child’s future health than the fear of the loss of. love and security that the unvisited child may have. I heard of one parent who in deference to the nurses’ wishes did not visit her; seven-year-old son when he had an accident. The first thing he said when he did come home was, "Why didn’t you come to see me on Sunday, Mum? All the other children had visitors.’ Imagine how lost and unhappy he felt. Surely daily visiting could be given a fair trial. If the patients recovered more quickly there would be less work for the nurses. As for hospital routine and parents helping, surely there are -some intelligent mothers --- some may even be trained nurses--who could be trusted to follow instructions and not be a hindrance. It would be a labour of ‘love for most of us.
J.
SMITH
(Napier).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19530529.2.25.1
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 724, 29 May 1953, Page 14
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257CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 724, 29 May 1953, Page 14
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