NURSES’ HOURS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 May 1927, Page 11

NURSES’ HOURS

REQUEST FROM .W.C.T.U. Nurses should have one day off per week and work only eight hours perday.” This, was the contention of the Napier Women’s Christian Temperance Union, from whom a letter was read at last night’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board. Apart from the principle laid down that man should rest on the seventh day, the Union contended that in the interest of the hospitals, the nurses should have one full day off per week, and should be required to work no longer hours than those observed in any other vocation.

Mr Turley said whether the injunction to rest on the seventh day was Divine or not, he certainly supported the principle of a,six-days week. For the sake of humanity, nurses should not be asked to work without a break the whole week through. were entitled to the same consideration as any other' workers. He thought the Board should give the matter earnest consideration. Mr Brislane moved that the letter be received. There was no seconder.

Mrs O’Brien said she agreed with Mr Turley. They all knew that nursing was strenuous work and very trying at times. For the general health of the staff, an effort should be made to give each nurse a day a week to herself.

The Chairman explained that the present practice was to give, as far as possible, a day off, every fortnight, to the nursing staff. To give more would necessitate some additions to staff. It resolved itself into a question of finance. Certainly a day a week off could not be given on the present staffing. Mr McTaggart thought the matter worthy of consideration. He favoured the nurses having a day off per week. They would work all the better for the break.

On the Chairman suggesting that the question was one which the Superintendent and Matron should be consulted, Mr Turley moved that they be asked to furnish a report to next meeting as to what increase in the nursing staff Would be necessary to permit of the introduction of a sixdays’ week of eight hours per day. Mrs O’Brien seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.