A USEFUL TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 11

A USEFUL TOUR

NURSE TRAINING AND EDUCATION

INTEREST IN NEW ZEALAND METHODS,,

(HIOH ODlt OWN COHMIPOKBIXI.)

LONDON, 30th August. After having vigited several of the leading Loridon hospitala and obtaining an insight into their methods of nurse training and education, as well as other matters relating to the profession, Miss J. Bicknell—the lately-appointed Director of the Division of Nursing in the Depirtment of Health, Wellington— went to Glasgow and Edinburgh for a similar purpose, and while in the north she visited both the general and tSe maternity hospitals. Miss Bicknell tells me that everywhere she has found that, New Zealand legislation with regard to public health, hospitals, and nurse-training, is regarded as being thoroughly efficient, and up to date. She has found everyone most willing to assist her in every possible way, and eager for information about New Zealand methods and management. At the end of July, Miss Bicknell went to Copenhagen to represent New Zealand at an executive meeting of the International Council of Nurses, with which the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association is affiliated. Therg she met most interesting women from many countries, who discussed their problems, and took counsel together with a view to securing greater efficiency and raising the status of the trained nurse. Provision was made for the assistance of the smaller countries of Central Europe, where nursing as a profession has hitherto been unknown, and many matters of. interest to nurses of the older countries who are in more fortunate circumstances, were disenssed. From .Copenhagen Miss Bicknell wentto Christiama where the Scandinavian nurses held a conference the following week. Though Scandinavian languages alone were spoken at the meetings many of the. people spoke English, and Miss Bicknell was provided with an interpreter who. kept'her well posted up regarding the deliberations. In both cities all the visitors were most hospitably entertained, and they were charmed with the gracious courtesy of their Scandinavian hosts. Many entertainments were provided and Queen Maud of Norway invited a number of the guasts to her country, home—an unpretentious house with a most beautiful garden. Here tables were set oh the lawn under the trees, the English-speaking guests being placed, at Queen Maud's request, at her table, the King having at his the members of the executive. All the arrangements were very informal, and very charmingly carried out, the Royalties of Denmark and Norway being ' very domesticated in their attitude. Miss Bicknell was the guest of the President of the Norwegian Ked Cross and his wife, who were very delightful people, and who spoke English well in addition to several other languages. From Scandinavia Miss Bicknell went to Paris where she spent a pleasant week and now she is in London preparatory to leaving on her return journey. She has booked by the Orsova, sailing on 15th September, and .expects to reach .Wellington about the end of October! Altogether, she has had a very interesting experience, and one. that she feel? sure will prove to have' been very valuable when she takes up her new official duties in New Zealand.