POLICY OUTLINED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 161, 10 July 1945, Page 3

POLICY OUTLINED

DISTRICT NURSING SERVICES

AUCKLAND VIEWS SOUGHT

Policy with respect to district nursing service was outlined by the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, in a letter received at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last evening.

"In urban areas containing a population of 4000 or more, a specialised district nursing service covering bedside care only is to be made available by hospital boards, or approved nursing associations subsidised by hospital boards," the letter stated. "Public health work in such areas will be carried out by nurses employed by the Department. "In rural areas and in urban areas of less than 4000 population, a generalised service, that is, both bedside care and public health work, will be undertaken by nurses employed by the Department and not by hospital boards.

"In areas where the same nurses undertake both bedside care and public health work there is to be full and complete liaison in each district between hospital board officers and medical officers of health affecting the district nursing services.

"In general, existing arrangements even though inconsistent with the foregoing proposals, should not be disturbed unless a suitable opportunity occurs.

"Bedside nursing services afforded by nurses in the employ of a hospital board should be under the control of the medical superintendent of the board's principal hospital. "Where possible, office and dispensary accommodation for district nurses in urban areas should be located at the out-patients' department of the public hospitals." The board's comments were sought, and it was decided to refer the matter to the finance committee for report.