NURSES’ HOURS REDUCED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 November 1937, Page 6

NURSES’ HOURS REDUCED

TO 45 A WEEK AUCKLAND BOARD’S DECISION I B.y Telegraph —Press Association! AUCKLAND, 16th November. Action that was described by Dr. J. P. Hastings as possibly enabling New Zealand to lead the world was taken by the Auckland Hospital Board when it approved the recommendation of the superintendent. Miss E. Nutsey, to reduce the working hours of nurses from 48 to 45 a week. None of the three daily shifts will now exceed 7\ hours. Reporting for duty after breakfast in the morning, nurses will work from 7 a.m. until 3.15 p.m. with three-quarters of an hour free for lunch. A similar break for tea will be enjoyed by afternoon nurses, who are to be on duty from 2.45 p.m. until 11 p.m., and half an hour free for a meal at midnight will be allowed night nurses, who will work between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Hours for nurses on divided duly will be from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. until 6 p.m "This represents a very considerable improvement,” stated the chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood. “Seven and a half hours of duty is the shortest shift in any hospital in the Dominion.” Mrs Dreaver expressed the hope that, in order to balance the effect of the shorter hours, steps would be taken to increase the strength of the staff. Miss Nutsey, who was complimented by the board on her report, was instructed to report on the question of adding to the number of trainees.