BADGES FOR HOSPITAL STAFF

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1944, Page 4

BADGES FOR HOSPITAL STAFF

Sir,—The excuse given by the Minister of Health for refusing to issue a distinctive badge to women and girls engaged in nursing is unreasonable.. To contend it ( would be. difficult to control the issue of such a badge and also to whom the badge be limited, is unconvincing. Those who have been patients or are at present patients in either public or private hospitals will wholeheartedly concur the time is long overdue for members of hospital staffs, particularly the sisters and nurses, to receive not only eyery recognition and all privileges possible, but, above all, I adequate remuneration for splendid services being rendered. The shortage of staff in hospitals throughout the Dominion is entirely due to the sisters and nurses* not haying any effective organisation or union to advocate better conditions as a beacon to light the path which will lead to making the nursing profession a more congenial and popular calling. Amidst present-day planning, with all manner of controls and regulations, any one section of the community deprived of the backing of a strong organisation or a union with substantial resources becomes "the forgotten people." It is to be hoped, therefore, that Parliament in all its wisdom will do the right thing and recognise a moral obligation to members of all hospital staffs, particularly the sisters and nurses, who more than ever before are today an integral part of our edifice of State social services, in which we profess to lead the world. A distinctive badge should most certainly be issued to all attending the sick in our hospitals, and, furthermore, remuneration be paid to sisters and nurses commensurate with the arduous human service being rendered to the community.— I am, etc., T. A. FRASER.