UNATTRACTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 165, 15 July 1938, Page 13

UNATTRACTIVE.

NURSES , CALLING.

"A NOBLE PROFESSION."

HEW REGULATIONS.

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, thie day.

The recently gazetted regulations in connection with the hours to be worked by nurses are to come into force on September 1, according to a statement made in the House yesterday by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West), when discussing the maternity services report. Objections had been made that the regulations were onerous, he eaid. He did not think that those statements could be substantiated. It was contended that there were insufficient trained nurse* to permit of a reduction ot hours. The reduction was being brought into operation in order that more nurses might be available, as

under present conditions women would not enter the nursing profession as the employment was onerous. In some institutions nurses were working 84 hours a week, with an average of perhaps CO hours. With the hours reduced more nurses would be inclined to take up the work.

Dr. McMillan said the hours would be 48 a week over a period of four weeks. They could be worked over 48 hours in one week, but over the month the hoursx must not exceed an average of 48 a week; Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North): That includes meal hours as well? Dr. McMillan: Yes. Nurses are human like ourselves and require some time for their meals. Mr, Holland: I did not mean what the hon. gentleman evidently thinks I meant. I merely was inquiring if the 48 hour«,fincluded meal hours. Mr. McMillan- T am sorry 1 misinter-preted-what "the hon. member thought.