INCREASED PAID HOLIDAYS SOUGHT FOR NURSES

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1947, Page 7

INCREASED PAID HOLIDAYS SOUGHT FOR NURSES

On the suggestion of Mr J. E. ' Stokes, the Grey Hospital Board decided on Tuesday evening to approach the Health Department with a recommendation that nurses completing examinations be given a month’s holiday with pay. Mr W. Gutberlet raised the question when he stated that he had. heard that nurs’es completing a six months’ course in maternity training were given a week’s holiday with pay, but were recommended by the Department to take a month’s holiday. Tis was confirmed by the actingsecretary, Miss Greaney, who stated that the matter lay in the hands of the Health Department, and was not controlled by the Hospital Board. “Such treatment is definitely wrong, and is largely responsible for the present shortage of nurses,” said Mr Gutberlet. Mr H. Carter contended that it was a matter for the Nurses’ Association. “No one in any other occupation is asked to work hard, and then not get paid for’ their holidays,” he stated. “I think we should try and make the conditions for nurses as attractive as possible,” said Mr J. 8.. Kent. “As they are they could not be called attractive.”