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Busy Year For Family Planning. (Press, 24 June 1985)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: Busy Year For Family Planning. (Press, 24 June 1985)

In the year 1984-85, the Christchurch clinic of the Family Planning Association of New Zealand experienced significant growth, with two thousand additional patients visiting compared to the previous year. This increase was accompanied by a slight rise in consultation fees, leading to a remarkable 52 per cent boost in patient revenue and an overall 15 per cent increase in total income for the branch. Dr Diana Edwards, the medical director, explained that management innovations, including altered staffing ratios with fewer hours for doctors and more for nurses, played a vital role in the clinic's improved financial situation. This change has energised staff, resulting in numerous innovative ideas for enhancing clinic operations. Dr Edwards highlighted the clinic's dedication to addressing chlamydia infections, emphasising that all pregnant patients are routinely screened, with a 23 per cent infection rate noted. This proactive approach has contributed to a decrease in post-operative complications. Alongside the primary clinic, those in Blenheim, the West Coast, and Rangiora have been maintaining service levels, while attendance at the Aranui clinic has surged. Mrs Ros Burdon, the branch president, praised the efforts of staff and volunteers during this successful year, noting a substantial increase in demand for counselling services, particularly for sexual issues. By mid-1985, clients faced waiting times of two to three weeks for daytime counselling and booked evening sessions up to two months in advance. Despite the financial success, the clinic faced challenges with space and funding, anticipating an $18,000 deficit in the coming year due to a lack of increased support from the Health Department. Burdon expressed hope for a resolution regarding their space constraints. The association highlighted its involvement in the upcoming Sexuality and Disability Training Conference set for late August and early September. Education initiatives have expanded, with increasing advisory roles for professionals such as psychologists and public health nurses, and more schools incorporating sexuality education programmes, especially at the intermediate level. In other news, Judith Nathan, a University of Canterbury tutor, became the first Christchurch resident elected to the national executive of the Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.), serving as national vice-president following the four-yearly convention in Auckland. Nathan has been active in promoting issues related to women's public affairs, advocating for social justice and equality, including support for the United Nations women's convention and the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. On 26 June, an event for Christian women will focus on re-examining the roles of traditional Biblical figures like Mary and Martha, encouraging participants to strengthen their self-image through discussions and activities. Additionally, the Family Planning Association's Christchurch branch plans a busy winter programme in sexuality education, with courses addressing topics ranging from menopause to sexual abuse, offering various educational opportunities to the community.

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Publish Date:24th June 1985
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19850624_2_58_2.html