Shortage Of Nurses

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29401, 31 December 1960, Page 3

Shortage Of Nurses

Sir,—l think the letter signed “1960” was not warranted. I had a few weeks in hospital and the attention of doctors, sisters, and nurses was wonderful, and I am sure that there are hundreds of people who agree with me. Dr. Averill is to be commended for his efficient and courteous reply. I do not know him, and my name would mean nothing to him. (You are free to give it to him.) There is no comparison between nursing and other trades.—Yours, etc., * EX-PATIENT. December 30, 1960. Sir,—May I. as a present patient, venture to say that "sixday week, long hours, petty pinpricks, lack of social life, atyi nigger-driving conditions" are more than true as far as presentday nursing goes. This so-called “suggestion” by “1960" is a fact and by no means an injustice to senior members of the staff. Discipline must not be confused with the autocratic, overbearing, and uncharitable behaviour tn which a large percentage of the senior staff indulge themselves. In fact I would say the majority of nurses who complete their training, complete it in spite of and not because of these presentday conditions. —Yours, etc., PRESENT PATIENT. December 30, 1960. Sir,—Regarding Dr. L. C. L. Averill's reply to “1960,” I would like to suggest that Dr. Averill, with all due respect, should spend a period in a public ward as a patient to judge the absolute facts regarding the shortage of nurses. —Yours, etc., MODERN TIMES. December 30, 1960.