Weekly Review No. 332 - Hokianga ... Backblock Medical Service

Nine thousand people live in this county (Hokianga) and near each of the larger settlement areas there’s a clinic hutment built and equipped by the medical service.

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The district nurse is hardworking, adaptable and generous, for she has to deal with social problems as well as those of medicine. Problems of society, of how people live and what they eat.

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To check on inadequate diet the nurses regularly visit schools and inspect the children’s lunches. At this school the nurse found that many children had no more than bread and butter.

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This is still a backblock service and every member of staff must be prepared to work alone in an emergency.

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