STATE NURSES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12477, 12 April 1906, Page 4

STATE NURSES.

PREMIER MEETS HOSPITAL BOARD.

HOME FOR INCURABLES

In February laet the Premier wrote to the Hospital Board pointing out that the Government had had the question of training nurses before it for come time, and he would be gkd if the Board would co-operate and assist in maturing a scheme which would be of great service to suffering humanity, of advantage to the nurses themselves, and a jenefit to all concerned. He deeired to know whether thu Board

would take a number of probationere to ✓be trained, the Government paying £*> per annum for the keep of each up to a number to be agreed upon, on the following conditions:—The nurses to have tho same training as the other regular nureee of the institution; to paes the examination and obtain certihcates, and the moneys to be paid quarterly on certificates being given as

to attendance and training. j Mr Seddon took advantage df his presence in Christchurch yesterday to meet members of the Board at the Hospital. Those present besides the Premier were Messrs U. Payling lc_airman of the Board), J. H-uheld, G. Scott, T. Gapes, W. Dunlop, C. Allison, T. H. Davey, M.H.R., and G. witty, M.H.R. THE BOARD'S POSITION. Mr Payling referred to the letter quoted, and said the Board had been inclined to favour tbe propo__. But ho would point out that tuey aheady liad fifteen probationers, and it would be two yoaifi before trie number of intending probationers on the list waa exhausted. They were training as many probationers as tho number of patients warranted. They wanted more aooommoo—tion for their own. nurses. If they took in more probationers they could not get suiticient training. The Board recognised vhat tho Government's proposal was a'good one, and if there were any other recommendaiionß the Premier could make the Board would be glad to do what they could. - Mr Hadfield said the difficulty seemed to be as the chairman had pointed out, and further the accommodation at present was as small as it could possibly be. Provided uae accommodation could bo increased, however, he saw no reason why they should not take two or three more; but they were already baking all they could, and be did not see that there was much difference whether the probationers came through the Government or not. The Government, however, offered £25 per annum, and the cost to the Board was £35 per annum, co that there would be a loss of £10 each to the Board. Mr Gapes said the only point waa whether the Board might take cases that were not accepted at nresent; that would afford more training. when tbe Sanatorium was taken over by the Board there might be vacancies for more probationers. THE NEED FOR NURSES.

Iα reply, the Premier expressed his pleasure at meeting the Board. It wee his endeavour to assist the hospitala ac much as possible. Taking the population of the colony, and the number of afflicted, the colony was far behind other countries in nursing power. The question arose, therefore, what should be done. If ail the hospitals were in the same position as the Christchurch one, it would be different. Unless the efforte of the physicians and surgeons were seconded by skilled nursing, there was danger to the life of the patient. At present there were many cases in which skilled nursing was beyond the reach of people. In many instances mothers of the working classes were treated at home, too often with fatal results. There ought to be nursing homes, where doctors could obtain nureee ior patients. Private benefaction had provided such homes in the Old Country, and there were one or two maintained by religious bodies in New Zealand. He had no desire to pauperise the people, fees, in accordance _ with patients' means could be charged where desired. There need be no nesitancy on the part of the nurses; the Government had no intention at all to. cause a reduction of the fees now paid to private nurses. There were thousands of young girls wishing to enter the noble calling of nursing, but they were not being trained, and accordingly were not available. He was very pleased to hear what the Board was doing, and he could not ask them to do more. It was no use taking more probationers if there were not enough patients to afford the necessary practical training. The Government, in making these proposals, did not wish to piece the Boards at any disadvantage; it was thought that the £25 would provide for the probationers. The Government had pro--mised that they would pay for the nurses' uniforms, the same as was done by the Hospital Board. They asked the Boards to take in probationers only after the usual number had been re-' ceived. Aβ to the accommodation for nurses, he should be sorry if in any case there was restriction. It was the duty of the Government and people to see that proper nursing skill was available, no matter what the position of the afflicted. He was pleased to have had the satisfactory announcement from the Board, and if there were other matters the Board would like to discuss he would be pleased to Bear them. Mr Payling reiterated that every corner of the Hospital wae full. TRAINING NATIVE GIRLS. Referring to tihe training of native girie, Mr Sodden said tine Maori race had great claims on the sympathy of the people. The race ought not to be allowed to die out; seeing that they were oapelble of the highest ability, there was an opportunity yet of saving the race. The Europeans had introduced diseases and other unfortunate things to fhe natives, and what had the white men done to provide against such afflictions? The natives mostly relied on the old tohunga, and fhe Governnient should consider it their duty to supersede tthe tohunga and supply medical skill. There must te trainee!

n:ir£-es, and he thought that if native girls were trained and sent back to the } pas, they would prove a saving agent. ' .particularly in regard to the childiren. He enlarged on the advanbage that

would follow such a system, and de- | olared that tfhe Maori made a splendid .nureo, quite equal to her pale-faoed ' sistor. If t-he Hospital Board would ' take one Maori would pay all her expenses, end leave her under the control of the Board. A good deal had boen done in training Maori youths, but when the educated young Maori wanted a wife he had to go back to the pa with all hie education. The Maori women must be trained simuJtaneonsly with the men. In regard to naming, the State had done practically nothing. , The Board could select a Maori girl tibemsalveG, and he would meet tli

: charges. • Mr PayHsg said the matter had been I disoassedj and it was ooneidered that I after a girl had been trained with white girls abe wotrid merer go baok to th«

pa -with its rough ways. [ Mr Seddon eaid that was on entirely wrong ooncloeion. There wu no people that was so loyal to its race. xh« trouble was that tifaey "drafted" back *o the pa. Mr Payliog arid he would pat the ' matter before hie Board, when it wonld j be further discussed. I HOME FOR INCURABLES Mr Payling then went on to urge the need for a home for chronic caeca. At

present twenty beds were occupied by "chronics," and curable cases had to be refused atoost dairy. The hospital was hampered to a very large extent by snoh oases, and the Board thought the Government ehouM give mate ladstaimo towards providing accommodation. Iα reply the Premier said Hospital Boards ought to realise tb*t the chronio cases had the same dam on them aft others; there was no distinction—it was all » case of frail and suffering humanity Such cases repeatedly required medical attendance, and he could sot distinguish between, such and other oi dinary hospital oases. If other cases were prevented from obtaining admittance, tlten that was a strong argument for increased accommodation. Tne chronic oaeee came within the category of those that should be looked after ly the Board. If there was a lack of accommodation, then that was a reflection on the Government and the Board. If increased accommodation was wanted, representation should be made to the proper quarter.

Mr Payling: The whole hospital would be taken up if we took in all the chronic oases. A word would sot be sufficient.

Mr Hadfield: The hospital would become an old men's home until medical attendant*

Mr Payling then thanked the Premier for his attendance and attention, and the Premier retmrned to town.