REWA HOSPITAL

Grey River Argus, 20 July 1922, Page 8

REWA HOSPITAL

NEW NURSES APPOINTED. SATLSFACTORV REPORTS. A special meeting of the Grey Hospital Boaril was held yesterday tor the purpose of considering applications for the position of Sister and Nurse at the Rewa Maternity Home, rendered vacant l’v the resignation of Sister Agnuc ami Nurse Hampson. Those present at the meeting were: —Mr J. W. Hannan (chairman), the Revs A. J. Farnell and T. N. Cut tie, Messrs F. Williams, A. Robinson ami W. IL Parfitt. Prior to the applications being considered a report was read from a special committee set up to enquire into the general working of Rewa Hospital. Mr J. Irvine (chairman of the special committee) reported as follows: — “As Chairman of the Visiting Committee, to which was referred for investigation the various complaints made in respect of the administration of Rewa Maternity Home, I am instructed by the Committee that it has made very full inquiries into the question of the administration of the- institution and into tho rumours that have been circulated in reference thereto. In the course of the investigation, the Committee interviewed members of tho staff, Drs Mcßrearty and McKay, the patients of Rewa, and tho majority of those who have been patients there since tho institution was opened by the Board. “As a result of the inquiries tho Committee is satisfied that the rumours that have been circulated in reference to the poor quality of the food supplied to patients and the inefficiency of the nursing attention are quite, unfounded, and that the patients’ diet both as to quantity and quality has been all that could be desired and that the nursing stall* has throughout been most atten- “ There has been some dissatisfaction amongst the nursing staff, due, in the opinion of the Committee, to the unsatisfactory sleeping qu: iters provided for the nurse on night duty, but this has in no way interfered with the efficiency of the staff. As it is desirable that the accommodation provided for the nurses be such as to enable a complete rest to be had after night duty, the Committee recommends that the Board consider the urgent question of providing better quarters for the night nurse. ‘‘The Committee desires to add that in the course of its investigations it was confronted by many rumours as to the unsatisfactory treatment received by patients whilst inmates of “Rewa,” but though it made most searching inquiries, in no case were any such rumours substantiated, but, on the contrary, tho patients spoke gratefully of the kindness and attention shown them by the Matron and nurses, and the Committee is of opinion that the statements made in reference to the unsatisfactory administration of “Rewa” have been circulated maliciously by persons who have no actual knowledge of tin* institution and with intent to detrimentally affect the carrying on of the institution.” A short discussion took place on the report, the Chairman stating that unfavourable rumours regarding Rewa were evidently unfounded. The secretary also read several letters from ladies who had received treatment in Rewa, expressing entire satisfaction with the institution. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr W. H. Parfitt. Many applications were received for the vacancies and after a careful consideration, Nurses Namy T. Ross (Wellington) and Jessie Johnston (Christchurch) were appointed. Miss Ross, after completing general training at the Wellington Hospital, was sister-in-charge of Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay) Hospital. She later took a special course in midwifery at the Wairau Maternity Hospital, Blenheim, on completion being appointed sister-in-charge of the institution. She is residing in Wellington at present. Miss Johnston was attached to the staff of Rewa as sister in-charge before tho hospital was taken over by the Board. She has had five years’ private* experience and is also qualified as a I'lunket nurse. She is at. present in Christchurch,, and was formerly a resident of the West Coast.