Shorter Hours For Hospital Staff

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 231, 30 September 1936, Page 10

Shorter Hours For Hospital Staff

PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD’S DECISION

EXTRA COST ABOUT £SOOO.

The Palmerston North Hospital Board hold a special mooting on Monday to consider a report from the managing-secretary on tho hours of all staff under the control of the board. Thoso in attendance wero: Mr J. K. Hornblow (chairman), Messrs J. Boyce, G. P. Gatley, D. Collis, T. Green, W. Howell, L. T. McLean, A. E. Hansford, G-. A. Monk, M. A. Moody, J. A. Nash and V. E. Smith. Leave of absence was granted to Mrs M. Aitchison and Mr J. Hodgens M.P., After consideration, it was decided to have a 44 hour week introduced into, the boards’ institutions at as early a date a 3 possible, and tho necessary authority was given to proceed in this matter. To bring this about it is necessary for a large increaso in staff to take placo, but tho board feels that its employees should bo given as near as practicable similar conditions as regards hours as employees in other sections of the community, Tho introduction of such a reform as this can, of course, proceed only over a period. As regards the nursing and domestic staff especially at the Palmerston North hospital, extra accommodation has to bo provided for resident staff and until substantial additions to tho Nurses’ Home which the board has already decided upon are completed, it will not be possible to ensure that nursing staff hours are reduced to 44. The quarters recently occupied by house surgeons aro to bo used as nurses’ quarters as soon as the house surgeons move into their new quarters over the Administration block. It is proposed immediately to take steps to appoint sixteen addition!! nurses to tho stuff at tho Palmerston Norh hospital. As regards domestic staff, an endeavour is being made to carry on with a number of the domestic staff living out. Tho domestic staff will be increased on the malo sido by four and the female side by three. Apart from tho Palmerston North North hospital, additions to staff aro necessary at tho other institutions under control of the board, and including all branches a total of 37 additional staff will be engaged. Where it is not practicable to reduce hours more particularly for staff employed on the board’s farms and tho ambulance drivers, the' annual leave period is to be increased as a recompense for longer hours.

Tho immediate cost will bo in the vicinity of £5,000 per annum for wages and in addition to this capital expenditure will bo necessary in the immediate future in providing additional furnishings for staff quarters. It will also be necessary in the proposed new building scheme to provide for a greater number of staff bedrooms than was previously contemplated.