NURSES' WISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 14

NURSES' WISH.

Proposed Chapel for Auckland Hospital.

During recent years when people have turned more and more to the chapels and churches of the country for comfort and consolation in times of stress and strain, it is not surprising that all our larger hospitals should seek to erect chapels which friends of patients,, patients themselves, nurses or any of the staff might claim as their own sanctuary. Christchureh has already a beautiful chapel at its hospital, erected to the memory of ten nurses who died during the Great War. Wellington is erecting one in connection with its new building scheme. All of the historical hospitals of England have chapels con- | nected with them, lovely in design and filling a great purpose in the healing arts of mind to-day. Following the great example of Florence Nightingale during the greater part of her 00 years of life, and inspired by what she accomplished, the nurses at the Auckland Hospital, under the fine leadership of Miss Nutsev, the lady superintendent, have recently shown a keen interest to have a chapel of their own. It has been difficult recently to hold church services in any of the hospital wards because of their overcrowded condition. The nurses belonging to the | Nurses' Christian Union, led by Miss Sturt, hold a Bible class meeting every Tueaday in very often an unsuitable meeting place. A chapel would fill a great need at the hospital. The nurses have gone so far as to establish a .chapel fund and from their comparatively small salaries, have already collected about £50. Several former retired nurses have also contributed to the amount. They recognise that it is going to be a slow process if the whole proceeds to erect [ the edifice are to come from their own j resources, because they visualise a chapel ! worthy of its purpose and in keeping with its surrounding*, costing anything from a thousand to two thousand pounds. Miss Nutsev and all others sponsoring the project feel that if it were generally known that there was a desire to build a chapel at the hospital, many citizens would help them in their efforts to see the wish of their hearts fulfilled.