Victoria Medical Research Articles

The adaptation of groups to the needs of potentially abusing mothers

A group for mothers who feared they would abuse their children was established at Queen Victoria Medical Centre, Melbourne in 1974. Its success has led to additional groups being set up. The circumstances and attitudes of these mothers are described, the group organization is discussed and the group process is analyzed. The mothers attending these groups come from an economically and socially deprived section of the community. The groups provide a nurturing and hopeful atmosphere. This has facilitated the mothers' abilities to reach valuable insights about their feelings and behaviour, and to develop their ego strengths. Consequently they have learned to exercise greater control over their behaviour and therefore to separate emotion from action, and as a result they are less likely to abuse their child either physically or emotionally. A pragmatic approach is adopted by the therapist. Pertinent information is provided, relevant theories are invoked, and community facilities utilized whenever appropriate to meet the diverse needs of these potentially abusing mothers. These groups have fulfilled their preventive function, and the relationship between mother and child has improved.

A Service for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault

In 1899 Queen Victoria Hospital was established by a group of Melbourne women, because the discrimination against women doctors made it difficult for them to find employment. Thus Queen Victoria Hospital was set up by women to champion the cause of women. It seemed very fitting, therefore, that in August, 1977, a team of social workers in what is now called the Queen Victoria Medical Centre were asked to act as counsellors for rape victims—a field in which there has been much social and legal discrimination against women. Dr. Peter Bush, Police Surgeon, was the person responsible for this initiative. This suggested close liaison between the police and the Social Work department which augured well for the rape victim.

Feeding the newborn infant.

Medical Journal of AustraliaVolume 1, Issue 1 p. 22-26 Brush up Your Medicine FEEDING THE NEWBORN INFANT∗ Victor Y. H. Yu, Victor Y. H. Yu Department of Paediatrics, Queen Victoria Medical Centre, 172 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000Search for more papers by this author Victor Y. H. Yu, Victor Y. H. Yu Department of Paediatrics, Queen Victoria Medical Centre, 172 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 1978 https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1978.tb112432.xCitations: 2 ∗ Prepared by request. † Director of Neonatal Intensive Care Service. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume1, Issue1January 1978Pages 22-26 RelatedInformation

Kingston and Victoria Medical Foundation

Kingston and Victoria Medical Foundation