Micki Tyler Part 2, Palmerston North medical museum and past hospital practices - Manawatu Conversations

Description

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 10th December 2024. Part 2 of 2.   The Palmerston North medical museum is administered by a charitable trust and run by volunteers, chaired by Dr John Bourke. An independent organisation which has worked in co-operation with the Palmerston North Public Hospital which is no longer able to accommodate them on site. Many exhibits are in storage. There is a lot of military memorabilia. The first matron of the Palmerston North hospital from 1893 - 1908, Ellen Doherty, was the first state registered nurse in New Zealand. The school dental service training in the early 1920s was started by Colonel Hunter along military lines. The museum contains a lot of memorabilia from the wars. Exhibits encourage I “remember when…” stories. Museum contained a mock pharmacy with medicines and potions from old days. Hospital nursing wards used to keep babies in nurseries and were taken to mothers for feeding in trollies containing up to 12 babies in each trolley. There are rumors that babies got mixed up. Before the introduction of cesarean births, instruments were used to assist with birth. The museum may have to thin out the collection because of the cost of storing it. If the museum reopens it will need more volunteers and will have to charge for entry. It is important that donated items are provided with some background and historical details.   

Identification

Object type

Audio

Date

December 10, 2024