Chch nursing school faces uncertain future

Press, 27 September 1983, Page 9

Chch nursing school faces uncertain future

Parliamentary reporter Christchurch Hospital’s nursing training school faces an uncertain future after a meeting yesterday between, a North Canterbury Hospital Board delegation and the Minister of Health, Mr Malcolm.

Having heard the Minister’s views, the board would have to make a decision, said its chairman, Mr T. C. Grigg. “Quite frankly, it is whether we will be able to carry on with our school of nursing,” he said.

Mr Grigg would not discuss the Minister’s views other than to say that the Government would not force any school to

close. “It is quite clear to us that the future of the school has to be negotiated between the board and the Government,” he said.

It would be same time before the board reached a final decision on the school. It would have to decide what it wanted, then approach the Government to see how it could be achieved.

Mr Grigg said the biggest factor in determining the school’s fate was the pressure being brought to bear by the nursing profession.

“There is a tremendous emphasis on technical institute training by the profession,” he said.