STAFF SHORTAGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 161, 10 July 1945, Page 6

STAFF SHORTAGES

WORK IN HOSPITALS

OPPOSITION TO. DIRECTIONS

The urgent need for nurse-aids and wardsmaids at the Green Lane and Cornwall Hospitals was stressed by Mr. J. Muncaster at a sitting of the Auckland Industrial Manpower Committee to-day. Appeals against direction to Green Lane were lodged by six women in the 21-23 age group and two appealed against directions to the Cornwall Hospital. Seven appeais were on the grounds of hardship.

All the directions, it was stated by the manpower representative, were for 52 weeks, and the women, who would be required to live in were liable to be transferred from Green Lane to Cornwall if necessary. On present requirements the two hospitals were 26 nurse-aids and six wardsmaids short.

The listed occupations of those for whom appeals were made comprised a veneer grader, milliner, waitress, clerk, hairdresser, factory hands and bookkeeper-cashier. The chairman, Mr. H. Campbell, reminded one appellant that the sick had to be cared for. Decisions were reserved in all C3SGS "I 'have no objection to going to any hospital—in fact lam fond of nursing/' a young married woman told the committee when asked whether she would be prepared to go to either the Green Lane or Cornwall Hospitals. She had appealed against refusal to terminate her employment as a machinist in a clothing factory and produced a medical certificate in support of the applicaMr Muncaster said the medical board which had examined appellant stated that she was not suitable for nursing. ■ , Appellant said she had two years nursing experience in Hamilton and could not understand the reason for the medical bdard adding such a comment. She desired to accept a position offered to her on the nursing stafl of a private hospital in the city. , . . In this application decision was also reserved.