THE NURSES' HOME.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18342, 27 March 1925, Page 11

THE NURSES' HOME.

TO THB XDITOR OF "TBS Sir, Nurses generally have a very harrl time, and those at t.ho Christchurrh Hospital arc no exception to the rule. Lheir home should be some distance from their work—even if it was a quarter of a mile away it. would be quite a good idea. To Mr Holland this suggestion may appear off-side, but sumly be was not serious when he. suggested putting a tunnel under (he road to St. Andrew's grounds. The trouble with Hie Hospital to-dav is that, it has too many shooting galleries in it. Some I~> or 20 years ago the writer visited the Hospital fairlv regularly, and after an interval of about. 30 years had occasion to go again last mouth. Hp immediately felt the dismal effect of the long corridors, and the peculiar odour that, could not be accepted as fresh air. Now, tho tendency is for fresh air schools. What, the people are looking for now is open buildings, and there is a distinct movement in Britain, also the United States, for open-air hospitals.

The writer feels very strongly that the Hospital authorities here are building on the wrong lines. The buildings arc far too close together, and one piled up against another. A hospital surely should be broadened out to the sun, and set to get all the air and sunlight possible. Already the building here is much too big for the grounds. Why not build a second hospital, away from the present site altogether ? When one considers that the nurses in the Sanatorium, for instance, arc on t.hc march in ali wcuthcrs, going from shack t,o shack, it seems very absurd t.hat tho nurses cannot cross the road from the Hospital, or even go a quarter of a mil® to their duties; in fact, that little trip would likely do them no end of good in health. Why not advocate underground railways for the business girls? It would be a tremendous pity for them to hare to face winter weather. lam sure 110 business girl would thank, anyone for the suggestion, and I cannot imagine that nurses would have any liking for tuunels, long passages, or shooting galleries. Most people naturally prefer the open air. The present Hospital buildings have been added to piecemeal, and the effect is by no means pleasing; in fact, when one gets into the Hospital as far as the Chalmers Ward, it is difficult to find a way out, because of the labyrinth of passageways. The Wellington Hospital has a fine piece of ground. The Hospital itself is considerably divided, and the Nurses' Home is a considerable distance from any of the hospitals—further than any ground like St. Andrew's manse. It seems a pity that younger men. do not take an interest in hospital work. Naturally, many of the old Board will view things from a very conservative angle.—Yours, etc., BATEPAYER. March 26th.