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Chronology of Events
March 1980
Rev Nora Calvert is appointed by the Presbyterian Social Services Association as
hospital chaplain at National Women's.
March 1980
There is a public outcry following the government's decision to not pay the
Auckland Hospital Board the $110,000 required to run the Mothercraft Unit at
National Women. The Board announces the Unit is to close as it has outlived its
usefulness. This Unit provided a 24 hour service and was available to both
out-of-town and local women. The Unit was set up following the closure of the
Auckland Karitane Hospital in 1978.
June 1980
The Asiata quads are born at National Women's.
1981
St Helen's celebrates its 75th
birthday with 75th Jubilee Celebrations. Staff organise various
fundraising activities, including a fair and a summer house is built in the
garden for women using the hospital and their families.
June 1982
Barry Twydle is the first male midwife to work at National Women's. He had to go
to Scotland to be accepted for midwifery training.
30 April 1983
(NZ Listener)
Dr Richard Fisher, Acting Medical Superintendent announces plans at National
Women's for a family birthing room with ordinary furnishings and tea and coffee
making facilities. He states that `the attitude at National Women's was that
anyone with a normal pregnancy should have a normal birth’.
27 May 1983
(Report to Hospital Board)
Nine nurses completed the first basic course in Neonatal Nursing offered by the
Auckland Hospital Board. Three of the graduates were from St Helen's.
25 June 1983
(NZ Listener)
A feature article highlights infertility issues and describes how NZ couples
wanting IVF treatment spend $5000 (including the air fare ) to go to Australia -
the nearest treatment centre offering this technique. At this time the service
had an 18-month waiting list and was described as being for the `stoic and
affluent’. In May 1983 (Herald May 24 1983) the Auckland Hospital Board agreed
to investigate the cost of setting up an Auckland-based IVF service. However,
the board's superintendent-in-chief, Leslie Honeyman said it was not a priority
and that there were ethical questions to be faced in relation to `manipulating
life in a test tube’.
27 July 1983
(Auckland Star)
Auckland obstetrician and gynaecologist Professor Colin Mantell, criticises the
Auckand Hospital Board for being unable to find $100,000 for an IVF service. He
suggests the board transfer the salary of one of the Epsom Day Hospital staff to
an IVF service.
1983
(NZH)
Full-time specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at National Women's Dr
Richard Fisher describes a `near-perfect pain-killer’ for women in labour. The
technique, a para-cervical block, was first used in the 1930s but the technique
used affected the baby's heart rate. However, NWH has been lent a $1900
gas-operated jet injector, resembling a miniature grease-gun so much lower safer
doses (.25ml) could be given than in the 1930s (10-20ml). At this time,
epidurals were used by about 35% of women in labour. Dr Fisher stated that the
new technique stops pain from the uterus but unlike epidurals, this approach
does not affect the woman's ability to move around or to effectively push her
baby out. It can also be administered by an obstetrician so an anaesthetist
doesn’t have to be present.
5 July 1983
(Auckland Star)
National Women's announces plans to purchase a programmed biological freezing
system for preserving semen as an aid to infertile couples.
10 August 1983
(Herald)
Doctors at National Women's use IVF for the first time in New Zealand
16 August 1983
(Auckland Star)
Doctors at National Women's announce the discovery of an effective treatment for
unborn babies whose mothers blood contains lupus anti-coagulant.
Oct 1983
National Women's Principal Nurse, Miss Verna Murray retires. Edna Davies is
employed as her replacement.
Oct 1983
(Report to Hospital Board)
Students from the New Zealand Bible College now include experience at St Helen's
in their counselling course.
February 1984
(ASB)
The Auckland Infertility Society presents a carbon dioxide incubator to the
National Women's fertility clinic.
February 1984
(ASB)
The hospital announces that women giving birth at National Women's can now have
babies in the home-like comfort of a birthing room.
February 1984
(Report to Hospital Board)
The senior medical staff at St Helen's set up the Mortality and Morbidity
Committee to review all serious cases prior to Perinatal Mortality Conferences.
The first meeting is held on 22 February.
1984
An arson attack caused major damage to the abortion clinic at Warborough Ave.
The abortion service was relocated to Ward 7 at National Women's for 3 months
while repairs were carried out.
18 October 1984
(Auckland Star)
Luke Hayes becomes the most premature baby at National Women's to survive.
8 December 1984
(Auckland Star)
Professor Graham Liggins, Associate Professor Ross Howie and David Knight
announce a significant discovery which could substantially reduce the death
rates of premature babies suffering from lung disease (RDS). This follows
research carried out at National Women's
February 1985
(ASB)
The Auckland Savings Bank donates a $60,000 laser machine to National Women's
for the treatment of infertile women and those with cervical cancer,
February 1985
(ASB)
Samoan grandmother, Tui Falialofa is ordained a minister of the Presbyterian
church. She takes up a position as chaplain at National Women's in conjunction
with being the minister at the Pacific Island's church in Newton.
June
Mrs Wailin Elliott's sculpture of Mother and Child, purchased with the
remainder of the 75th Jubilee money was received at St Helen's in time for the
79th anniversary. (This sculpture is presently located in the atrium area
( walkway between new and support building) at National Women's on level 9.
19 September 1985
Open Day for the public at National Women's Hospital to celebrate the hospital's
21st birthday. Ann Marie Edge, the first baby born at the new
hospital attends the celebration. She is now a teacher.
21 September 1985
(Listener)
Dr Gabrielle Collison, the recently appointed Medical Superintendent talks
publicly about her job at National Women's.
18 February 1986
Teen Clinics are set up on Fridays in the National Women's antenatal clinic.
6 August 1986
(NZH)
Canadian nurse, Lynn Litwinowich is appointed to control the new neonatal
nursing course at the hospital.
7 April 1987
National Women's enters the national grid for patient numbers.
14 July 1987
Establishment of the position for a part time diabetic nurse educator.
June 1987
(Metro)
Article published by Sandra Coney and Phillida Bunkle which instigated the
Inquiry into the treatment of cervical cancer at national Women's. The article
describes the approach and treatment used by gynaecologist Herbert Green between
1966-1982.
1987
The National Women's telephone exchange switches from a manual to an electronic
system.
June 1988
(Broadsheet)
Waireti Walters-Ratima sets up facilities for healthcare for Maori women which
includes a whanau room at National Women's and the Whare Rapuora service at Glen
Innes.
20 May 1988
Antenatal classes at national Women's introduce the use of TENS machines for
pain relief during labour.
5 August 1988
The report of the Cervical Cancer Inquiry prepared by Judge Silvia Cartwright is
publicly released.
15 September 1988
Code of Rights and Obligations for Patients are now to be displayed in every
room at National Women's.
4 April 1989
(Auckland Star & NZH)
Siamese twins are born at National Women's. This is the first time. The two
girls are joined at the lower chest and upper abdomen in a face-to-face
position.
17 May 1989
(Auckland Star)
Gynaecology services are transfered to Greenlane Hospital as part of the $46
million cost cuts announced by the Auckland Area Health Board.
18 September 1989
(Western Leader)
Lynda Williams is appointed to the position of patient advocate at National
Women's Hospital.
1989
A `Save St Helen's' campaign is established in an effort to stop the closure of
the hospital.
17 October 1989
(NZH)
Dr Gabrielle Collison's position of National Women's Medical Superintendent is
disestablished as part of restructuring.
November 1989
(ASB)
A recent upgrade of National Women's refurbishes four wards and the delivery
unit.
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Ministry of Health