DIRECTION OF WOMEN

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1943, Page 5

DIRECTION OF WOMEN

HOSPITAL BOARD’S ATTITUDE,

Reference to the direction of young women to work as student nurses at the Grey River Hospital was made by, the Chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. J. B. Kent) at last evening’s meeting of the Board. Mr. Kent said that there had been quite a lot in the papers about the Board not pressing young women into' service. The view taken by the Board did not seem to .coincide with that of the National Service Department. He had the idea that services were directed, and not conscripted as it were. He thought that many young women with the desire to serve would prefer to serve humanity as nurses rather than go to other work, and he thought that (that was what the Board thought. If the young women of the Coast knew of the necessity, they would come forward voluntarily, and would endorse the attitude of the Board in preferring voluntary aid rather than that forced. He thought that many would have rather gone ta the hospital than to Wellington or other places. Mr. A. Mosley said he agreed that for anyone to be forced into nursing against their* will was not in the best interests of patients. He felt that if young women being approached for. essential work had been given ..the option of going to the Hospital, it might have brought results. He thought that the chairman had correctlv stated what was thojeeling of the Board. ■ I- .■ Mr. J. Mulcare remarked that the. Manpower Officer (Mr. G. G. M, Mitchell) a hard iob and was doinghiq best. The Chairman agreed that Mr;-„; Mitch ell. had an onerous job and-said y he ! had every sympathy with him.'< They not blaming him, •’ / $