THE HOSPITAL NURSES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13712, 1 April 1905, Page 13

THE HOSPITAL NURSES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, As one interested in hospital work and hosnital nurses, allow me to say I cannot read in the report of the honorary staff the. condemnation of the nurses that Dr Hammersley sees. I think the thanks of the nurses, and also of the community, are duo to the honorary staff for putting the position so clearly. In their opinion, the nurses are strained beyond endurance, and the fault clearly lies with tlio Board. That it should be possible for a nurse to be on arduous duty in the operating theatre for twenty hours at a stretch will come with a shock to the public. That the nurses have kept up any efficiency in the face of such lengthened hours speaks volumes for them. Such sweating must cease, as the doctors have pointed out. It is quite time that these Boards were differently constituted, and the nurses represented on them by their own sax.—l am, etc., A WOMAN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your characteristically, good leader of last week on hospital management was not uncalled for. It is to be regretted that others have misunderstood the letter of the honorary medical staff.. That letter evidently was not intendedto imply any “ slur” or slight on the Sisters and nurses.- It was evidently written in their interest, as well ks for the good' of the patients and the improvement of the Hospital. On all hands it is acknowledged with gratitude that the Sisters and nurses are working most heartily. It is only right that their health and strength should be preserved and hot broken down by frequent overwork, and having to work on without often long after their holidays are duo.' It is necessary that the number of nurses should be increased, as the honorary medical staff recommends.—l am, etc., A VISITOR FOR MANY YEARS.