HOSPITAL PROBATIONERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 20 November 1934, Page 9

HOSPITAL PROBATIONERS.

PRINCIPLES IN APPOINTMENT. POLICY OF BOARD. The principles governing the appointment of probationers to the nursing staff of the institution were discussed by the Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday afternoon, when the matter of the policy to be followed was raised by Mr J. Hodgens. The speaker stated that when applications for ten probationers’ positions had been, before the executive in the morning lie had proposed that, except in the case of those who had already had some instructional training, preference be given ill the appointments to girls residing within the Hospital Board’s district. This had been rejected. The chairman (Mr J. K. Hornblow) explained that the applications, which numbered 160 for ten positions, were first submitted to the matron, who selected suitable girls and personally interviewed them. The list had been narrowed down, to 12, and when the executive was dealing with these Mr Hodgens had advocated tho principle of appointment mentioned. Mr Hodgens again moved the same motion to test the feeling of the board. Seconding the motion pro forma, Mr A. E. Mansford said ho would like first to have heard the views of the matron herself as to wliat reasons actuated her choice of applicants. Girls in the district were entitled to a certain amount of preference, commented Mr W. Howell, but as hospital administration was a burden on the general taxpayer the positions should be open to all suitable applicants. The chairman: The proportion of local girls among tlie applicants is 4 to 12. x , Continuing, Mr Howell commented that other hospital boards might take up the same attitude as that suggested, and debar girls in this area from applying. Mr Mansford said lie understood that was the case in at least one other district. . , ~ Replying to Mr V. E. Smith, the managing-secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) stated that fully one-third of the present trainees in the Palmerston North Hospital came from the surrounding district. “I think we are touching on dangerous ground if we are going to dictate to the matron what sort of girl she should choose,” said Mr Smith. ‘ She is the best judge.” He opposed the motion. . Mr D. Collis said, he did not think they could go beyond the responsibility of the matron, who was undoubtedly in a position to make the best choice. The motion was lost by six votes to four.