DISTRICT NURSES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 148, 29 May 1925, Page 7

DISTRICT NURSES.

DEPARTAI EN TAL REG ULATIONS.

Regarding the appointment of dis trict nurses, the Department of Health has laid down rules which must be strictly adhered to.

According to these rules, the appointment is one which should bo made by the Hospital Board of the district and any funds raised for the purpose of enabling a district nurse to be provided should be handed over unconditionally to the Hospital Board, and they would then carry Government subsidy. These contributions, however, must not carry benefits to the contributors in the shape of free treatment, or treatment at lower rates than those of non-subscribers.

On receipt of an application from the settlers of a district a board may ap point a trained nurse to perform such duties regarding attendance and nursing the sick in the district, as may be determined. In no case shall a board refuse to grant such a petition, when it is accompanied by a statement that the settlers are prepared to guarantee not less than half the salary and expenses or the nurse. The nurse must be a certificated general nurse and midwife. Sin? shall work under the doctor appointed by the board and other doctors practising in her district!. She shall visit ail cases where her services are required, and she shall decide whether it is necessary to call in a doctor, being careful not to use her influence in favour of any particular medical man. She shall faithfully carry out the instructions of the medical practitioner, and advise him as to the condition of the patient. Except in cases of emergency, no patient shall have au exclusive claim to her services; she shall carry out her duties by periodical visits. Sh-J may, if convenient, and if not required at more than one case, stay at her patient’s house, from which she may attend any other case needing her. Persons engaging her must understand that they must make reasonable provision for her comfort, and must not expect her to undertake the care of the whole family, or the. ordinary work of the house. In cases of emergency, and when the nurse secs that provision for this work cannot otherwise be made, she may obtain, if available, the help of some recepient of charitable aid in that part of the district. She may, with the approval of tho board, in remote country districts, act as a midwife at confinements, adhering to the “Rules for Guidance of Midwives,” in regard to sending for medical aid. She may, if desired by a medical practitioner, engaged for a maternity case, give general instructions to the expectant patient and supervise the' work of an unqualified nurse, if such a one is left in charge of the case. She shall in all medical and surgical cases, except in very slight and temporary ailments, obtain the advice of a medical man.

She may for certain chronie cases among the poor, such as rheumatism, chronic bronchitis and asthma, distribute remedies prescribed by the medical practitioner appointed by the board. She shall keep books with details as to names, addresses and ages of the patients, the dates and results of treatment and their ability to pay or otherwise. She shall collect fees from her patients according to the board’s scale, and report in cases where a fee should not be exacted. In no case shall she make a charge or accept a monetary reward for her services.

Following is the proposed scale of fees (maximum charges may be reduced when the nurse considers necessary):

Single visit 2/6, dressing wound, etc., for doctor 2/6, supplying dressings 6d, occasional vis ; ts to waiting midwifery case, doctor engaged 5/- or 10/- (according to number), sitting up at night with patient 10/6, for entire term with one patient per week £2 2s. If midwifery case, with delivery extra £1 Is, daily vists, with nursing, once a dav per week 10/6, daily visits nursing twice a day, per week £1 Is, daily vists midwifery case, delivery, etc. £1 10s.