PAY FOR HOUSE SURGEONS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27403, 16 July 1954, Page 17

PAY FOR HOUSE SURGEONS

INCREASE IN SCALES GAZETTED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 15. New scales of pay for house surgeons and. part-time anaesthetists and the introduction .of a grading scheme for matrons of larger hospitals are the principal changes made by amendments to the Hospital Employment Regulations gazetted tonight. Alterations in salary scales operate from April 1, 1954. For house surgeons new scales of pay are prescribed as follows: first year, £4BO (previously £427 10s); second year, £5BO (£547); third year, £630 (£605). These increases are said to bring house surgeons’ salaries into fairer relationship with those of newlyqualified dental surgeons and of holders of science degrees in the Public Service. All part-time specialist anaesthetists have hitherto been paid on a uniform basis of £153 per annum for each regular weekly session of three and a half hours, which corresponds to a nominal whole-time salary of £1530 per annum. A new nominal scaje of £1750 per annum is now provided for senior specialists. The principal alteration to the nurses’ salary scales is the introduction of a grading scheme for matrons of the larger hospitals which average more than 200 occupied beds. Matrons in this class are to have their salaries determined from time to time by a grading committee under a procedure similar to that already adopted in the case of senior whole-time medical officers. The scales within which the gradings are to be made fall within the present range of remuneration, with minor exceptions. Ward or departmental sisters who have completed 10 years’ service in that capacity and are regarded as of special merit are to be. designated senior ward or departmental sisters, and placed on a special scale. Registered staff of maternity hospitals who possess the Plunket certificate are to receive an additional £lO a year. District nurses are to be paid in the first year a grant of £5O if not provided free of charge with uniform dresses and coats. Previously the grant was £l7-for the first and successive years, and this amount will now apply to the second and successive years. The following new rates are provided for journeymen orthopaedic technicians: first year, £542 10s (previously £513 15s); second year, £576 10s (£542 10s); third year, £605 (£576 10s). Previously £605 was the fourth year step.