CHRISTCHURCH NURSES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25304, 2 October 1947, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH NURSES

GRADUATION CEREMONY “In the close -operation of nurses and doctors one sees the finest perfection of medical science aa we know it to-day," said Dr. F. O. Bennett, when he spoke last evening at the graduation ceremony of the School of Nursing of the Christchurch Hospital. The medical and nursing professions were mutually complementary, Dr. Bennett said, and in the Christchurch Hospital the greatest harmony existed between them.

Dr. Bennett paid tribute to the work of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. They had made a great effort m the first world war, but in the second world war their effort was magnificent, he said. There was never any lack of volunteers and never any thing, except in a very isolated case, but the same quiet confidence, efficiency, and concern for nothing but their duty. In one instance where the nurses, had been sent nearer the firing Ijne than had previously been done, doubts of the wisdom of this measure had been felt, but the results had in every way justified the decision. The attendance of a New Zealand nurse on badly wounded and shocked men practically within sound of the firing had been responsible for the saving of the lives of many New Zealand soldiers, Dr. Bennett continued. Speaking of the progress of, and increased enthusiasm for, medical research overseas. Dr. Bennett said: “The medical profession is definitely marching forward with a unanimity which is international. This is the great cenj discoveries. The commonplaces of to-day were oply recently miracles.” Zealand Training Miss M. F. Barnett, who presented cne medals and prizes to the graduates, said that the New Zealand training of nurses had always been more comprehensive than most others in the world. New Zealand nurses abroad have had a very good reputation," she said, but that reputation has to be earned by each individual. In order for us to keep up our standard we must be vigilant and alive to what is going on overseas.” * , Sir Hugh Acland, chairman of the hospital committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, spoke briefly of the traditions and reputation of the nu J?.es of the. Christchurch Hospital. Miss q. Widdowson, laßy superintendent of the hospital, who presided, expressed regret that this was the last occasion on which Sir Hugh Acland would be present at the graduation ceremony as a representative of the Hospital Board.

The presentation of the Florence Nightingale medal to Nurse M. CaygiH was made by Lady Acland. Other awards were as follows (abbreviations used ere H.N., honours in nursing technique, and H.D., honours in dietScor « ie . H.N.; M. Caygill, H.N„ H.D.; N. Pugh, H.D.; H. Mackenzie. H.N.; M. Renner, H.N HD • P. Tilley. J. Pike. D. Moss. D. McKenzie. M. strack. K. Gray, C. Matthews, S. Burgin, M. England. E. Harper, Mr Reaston. J. Barnett, . J. Stratton M. Journeaux, N. Tait, I. Potter. M. Fulton, H. Crawford. M. Craigle, T. Aitchison. D. Bates, G. Shearmen, _ Prizes were awarded to the followmg:™R. Fairbrass (senior medicine and dietetics), M. Dowling (senior surgery and'nursing, procedures), D. McKey (junior medicine and nutrition), Z. Taylor (junior surgery and nursing procedures), M. Hatton (anatomy and physiology), M. Caygill (registered nurses’ prize for practical nursing).