NURSING SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 10

NURSING SERVICE

FOR THE SICK

HOSPITAL MATRONS ■'

MEET IN WELLINGTON

Within .our' hands, and loaning upon our strength, mankind enters this world, and also leaves it. Ours is the care at the beginning and at the end. And this was yesterday, is to-day, and shall be to-morrow, for wo are told that the country whose inhabitants shall not say, '"I am sick" is exceedingly far off.—Dr. W. W. Chipm.in, Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, M'Gill University, Montreal. In a recent address on "Nursing as a Service Profession," Dr. Chipnian eloquently set forth the vital importance of the nursing profession. "You remember,'' he said, "the famous lecture of Marie Twain wherein he -was speaking of the regular medical profession as opposed to Christian Science." Speaking for himself, he said that if the medical profession had only a little more Christianity, and Christian Science a. little more medical science, it wouldn 't matter much which of the two Jio employed— provided always he had a good nurse. A great tribute, you will agree, rendered to the nursing profession. - * "Nursing is a service and a profession. The word profession signifies that the woman must be trained—professionally trained, while the,word servico carried with it, or should carry with it, the human attributes of kindness and.devotion—in a word, genuine love for the work in hancl. And this is really the substance of the whole business, that one should love the work for its own sake, the daily work of helping the sick and the afflicted; and that, moreover, one should, in addition be trained so as to accomplish this work with efficiency. . . Schools for nurses abound, everywhere. No hospital or medical school is complete without one and nursing is now-a-definite profession throughout thcMvorld."Nursing .is- a great profession: its demands- are great; its exactions large both .of- mind and body. . . . The recompense, is - essentially a moral one the great and-lasting satisfaction of having, relieved suffering and healed the sick,- and of having made the world a happier placs to live in. . . . And this nursing is one aspect—and a very important, one—of the medical profession Truly it can be said that the doctor and the nurse labour in tho same vineyard in the world-wide vineyard of suffering and disease." fa OBJECTS OF CONFERENCE. "The general promotion of the efficiency and advancement of professional nursing services" is the main object of the conference of matrons of hospitals throaghout. the Dominion which is being held this week at the Nurses' Home, Wellington Hospital. The following is a list of the hospital matrons attending the conference:—Misses Taylor, Auckland; Watt, Ashburton; Shepherd,. Balclutha; Lewis, Blenheim; Muir, Christehurch; Browii, Dannevirke; Tennent, Dunedih; Benjamin, Gisborne;. .Burton, Grey town; Nutsey, Hawera; Barnett, Masterton; Macdon.ald, Napier; Brown, Nelson; Campbell, New Plymouth; Mackie, Oamaru; Berry, Pahiatua; Davies, Palmerston North; Kelly, Patea; Boss, Invercargillj M'Gruer, Taihape; O'Connor, Taumarunui; Ansenne, Thames; Lord, Waihi; Keddie, Waikato; Lindsay, Waimate; Drummond, .Waipukurau; • M'Kenny, Wanganui; Dunsfprd, Wcstport; Cookson, AVhangarci; and Stott; Wellington. The first business of the conference will be to establish a body to be known as tho Now Zealand Council of Hospital Matrons. The objects of the council will be:—(1) Tho promotion and interchange among its members of such knowledge of the administration of nursing services and training schools for nurses, and of residential homes for nurses as falls within tho department of a matron of, or lady superintendent of nurses, in a hospital or other institution for the treatment of the sick; (2) the general promotion of the efficiency and advancement of professional nursing services; (3) the protection of the interests, rights and privileges of members; and (4) to maintain the honour and uphold the traditions of tho nursing profession. The matrons of the various hospitals were invited to make suggestions for the. consideration of tho conference. A large order-paper has been drawn up embodying these suggestions, and it is anticipated that the conference will last till the end of tho week. MINISTER'S ADDRESS. At the opening of the conference there were present the Hon. J. A. Young (Minister of Health), Dr. T. A. Valintino (Director-General of Health), Mr. C. M. Luke (chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board), Mr. W. Appleton (chairman of the Hospital Committee), Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson (niedical superintendent),, and Miss Bickncll (Director, Division of Nursing, Health Department). Mr. C. M. Luke, in inviting the Minister of . Health ..to declare the conf orence open, remarked that the gathering was unique in that it was the first conference of hospital matrons of tho Douninion which, had been held. The Hon. J. A. Young (Minister of Health) said it was an excellent idea to hold such a conference, and whoever proposed it deserved well of the nursing profession. An exchange of ideas by hospital matrons would be of value not only to the profession and to the sick and suffering, but also to the community generally. The aim of those present would no doubt be to endeavour to discover simple and effective solutions of problems in the interests of their high calling, and with a view to applying tho machinery of our hospital system so as to render the best possible service for the benefit of the patients.

From a perusal of the agenda-paper or suggestion list ho noticed with satisfaction two worthy features: (1) A desire to'perfect themselves in the fullest knowledge of their., profession; and (2) the manifestation of a devotion to their work in the spirit of service for the good which they could do. The nursing profession was an arduous one, calling for considerable self-sacrifice. It was well to recognise that the New Zealand nursing profession contributed its good share of service in the Great War. No fewer than 550 nurses'were on military service in that titanic conflict, and fifteen made the supreme sacrifice. Words could not express in full measure the appreciation of the sick and wounded who were ministered to by that band of devoted women. Their fine record could never be forgotten; nor could the ministrations of the nurses to-day in the many hospitals and homes throughout the Dominion. It was recognised that the spirit of service should not be exploited. Of late yews living and working conditions of nursjes had been steadily improved. Amongst the reforms which had been instituted were the following:—(1) Nurses' homes generally are of high standard of comfort and convenience; (2) hours of duty have teen limited to 56 per week for trainees in hospitals of over 100 beds (sec Section 153 of Hospitals and Charitablo Institutions Act, 1926). In smaller hospitals it has not been possible to go so far ns this, and to legislate for an eight-hours' system, but the eight-hours' day is worked wherever possible; (3) provision has been made

in most hospitals for a full day off duty at-stated intervals weekly, fortnightly, or monthly as the case, may be. Where this is not possible, extra days are added to tho annual leave; (4) all nurses I'm training get .it least three weeks' [ annual leave on full'pay; (5) the benefits of superannuation were conferred oil nurses by the 1925 amendment to the National Provident Fund Act. A HIGH CALLING. Tho training of nurses in New Zealand was regarded as very sound. This was shown by tho fact that the Generai Nursing Council of England and Wales admitted to the English register | without further : examination nurses j trained in this country and who were on the New Zealand register. Out trainees were the first to be accepted unconditionally in this way. He appreciated the-desire of the matrons to sac a course of training in the higher phases of nursing established .at one of the University Colleges, with a view to, among other things, providing postgraduate ' training for senior sisters and raising thn status of tho profession! That, of course, would" mean the sxpeuditure of money, and when ho tr>ld them that the Treasury informed him that he must cut down his departmental estimates this year by £20,000 and more on last year's figures, they would realise the kind of cold 'douch on.;'<; enthusiasm had to encounter. He mentioned'that the question of university classes was still under .considerati.in. The-Minister emphasised tho supreme importance of iiot. losing sight, m carrying out their duties, of the personal care of the patient. He stressed the responsibility x of the matrons i;i their supervision of the training of the young women who would be the future nurses of the Dominion. -As Minister of Health, he would be glad to be sunplied with a copy of ' the resolutions passed by the conference, and would give them his earnest consideration. He wished the conference success, and trusted that their deliberations would bo worth while, and. that the first conference of hospital matrons would raise at' least one monument by the wayside to mark the march, of progress in their great calling. Dr. T. A. Valintine, Director-Gen oral of Health, in the course of a brief acl dress, drew special attention to t.Vie high standard of the nursing profession in the Dominion. On the motion of Mr. W. Appleton, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Minister for his address.