ST. HELENS HOMES

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 15

ST. HELENS HOMES

CONDITIONS OF NURSES.

COMPLAINT IN THE HOUSE.

[THE PRESS Special Service.]

WELLINGTON, September 5.

Working conditions in- St. Helens Hospitals were criticised strongly by Air J.'McCombs (Lab., Lyttelton) during the discussion of the Health Department Estimates in the House of Representatives. He urged an enlargement of the grants for the hospitals in 'order to make it possible for bettor conditions to be introduced so l'ar as the nursing staffs were concerned .

Mr McCombs said that conditions were very bad in Christchurcli and in Auckland, the Minister's own city. Nurses worked ten hours a day for seven days of the week for no pay. It also had to be remembered that these women were qualified nurses. Trainees were supposed to get one day off a month, but they did not always get it. They had to undertake eevere theoretical study, but they got no time off to do it. In view of these circumstances, it was no wonder that the Essex Home in Christchurch, which was controlled by the people's elected representatives, should head the examination list every vear. In this home, conditions were all right, and consequently the nurses had a chance to carry out their studies. It was primarily for unmarried mothers, but it was largely used by married mothers, for the reason that they found it more satisfactorily conducted than many of the hospitals under the control of the Minister. "It is a scandal that these women should be asked to give their services for nothing, and that they should be called upon to work seven days of the week for 10 to 12 hours a day. The whole question wanted investigating.

Minister's Concern. ''This is a matter that has given me a great deal of concern, and I have gone to a great deal, of trouble to find out the position and effect a remedy," said the Minister, in replying to the paint later. "An alteration has been inado_ at the Wellington St. Helens Hospital involving a considerable amount of expenditure in order to put into operation the eight hour day and to allow one day off a week. The question is a big one. I am entirely and definitely cm the side of the eightliour day and one day off a week for the nursing staffs, and I am working as rapidly as possible toward that objective. I did find that the average was 10 hours a day, and to my mind that_ was a very unsatisfactory and unfair condition for any man or woman to work under. The reorganisation involves a very big expenditure in regard to further accommodation, not only as regards the patients, but also as regards the nurses. As soon as the money is available the programme will be pushed ahead." Mr McCombs: How long have you been Minister ? The Minister: Well, I have been Minister for a period of a few months. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (R., Dunedin West): Too long. The Minister: Had the member for Dunedin West left a little more money in the public accounts, we could have accelerated the programme along the linos indicated by the member for Lyttelton. Mr J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn): What has that got to do with tho Estimates? Wlint about the Divine call ? Students' Bight of Entry.

'"I am satisfied we aro doing the right thing by admitting medical students to St. Helens Hospitals," said the Minister in reply to a criticism by Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central),-'who contended that Buch a purpose had not been contemplated by the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon in founding institutions. "In any case I am not responsible for admitting the students," said the Minister. "That dates back to 1912. It has to be remembered that while the Act does not specifically give the right of entry to St. Helens Hospitals, neither does

it prohibit it,, and I am advised by the Crown Law Office —" Mr Fraser; But- it was never contemplated. The Minister: Well we need not discuss that to-day. Mr Fraser: Oh. yes, we should. The Minister said New Zealand was training 200 maternity nurses and midwives a year, against 40 to 50 a year being trained in Denmark, which had over twice the l>ominion's population. There had been 2400 maternity cases in St. Helens Hospitals last year, and. speaking' from memory students had attended only 368, so it would be seen a great number of cases were still being conducted by midwiyes and maternity nurses.