HOSPITAL STAFF.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 September 1934, Page 3

HOSPITAL STAFF.

[to the editor.] Sir,—Has the recent “stir up’’ regarding our hospital been shelved oi what is the position? I wonder if the public are aware that the institution is drifting. Capable Sisters and purses are still resigning, or being “sacked”—l hold no brief for one or two who were dispensed with for breaches of discipline. Some of the recent departures were nurses who were keen on the profession, and had only a short period to serve before completing their training. They were forced to leave owing to the conditions existing. Even the trained nurses who were impoited fiom Chrilstcliurch recently hdve ; cried “enough,” and have not left any bouquets. I will be much surprised if any further supplies come from that quarter. I think the public should again demand a general inquiry, and insist on the Minister of Health appointing some competent person or persons outside the Health Department to conduct it. Let the staff be allowed to give evidence with an assurance that they will not be victimised at any time afterwards, and I am quite satisfied that such evidence will prove that prompt action was necessary. The working conditions require investigating as too much is being expected from the nurses. The by-laws state that as far as possible there should be one nurse to every three beds. For the greatest part of the time the average is seven beds. How can a nurse possibly treat patients with kindness ,and pay every attention to their state and symptoms, with so much ground to cover? The patients will tell you that they are not getting the attention they are entitled to, nor do they expect it under such conditions. The Chairman was made acquainted with the fact recently during a hasty visit to one of the wards.. The Matron is said to be of the opinion that she could run the hospital satisfactorily with a smaller staff. Perhaps she will have an opportunity of doing so sooner than she anticipates. The staff is in a state of chaos and I have no hesitation in stating that such conditions have never previously existed in the Grey Hospital. If the Board—or rather the majority as at present constituted —considered it necessary to organise things then the opposite result is being effected. I think the majority of people know where the seat of the trouble exists, and it is only a question of allowing enough rope and the usual result will follow, but one shudders to think of the damage that will be created in the interim. 1 could go on indefinitely, but. fear I have already trespassed enough on your space. Thank you for your forbearance, and I trust my letter will be the means of stirring up the ratepayers and citizens to take urgent measures to remedy matters.—Yours, etc., FAIRPLAY. (We have deleted some of the more vigorous sentences in “Fair Play’s” letter—Ed., “Star.”)