DISTRICT NURSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 April 1944, Page 4

DISTRICT NURSE

COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION RESIDENCE AT TAPAWERA FAVOURED The Waimea County Council yesterday afternoon expressed the opinion that the District Nurse should be retained at Tapawera and not transferred to Motupiko. The subject was brought up by Councillor L. A. Higgins who said that there was a difference of opinion legarding the situation of the nurse's house on the other side of the Spooner’s Range, serving the southern portion of the county. Owing to the fact that the county was a large contributor to the hospital service he did not think it would be out of place if the council expressed an opinion on the matter. He moved that, “believing that it is the intention of the Health Department and the Hospital Board to establish a house for the District Nurse in that portion of the district south of Spooners’ Range the council is of the opinion that, owing to the conformation of the valleys in which the population is situated, much great service at a minimum cost can be given by the nurse if her home is at Tapawera. We sincerely hope that that centre will be chosen. It would be a great pity if the nurse were situated in any other centre than Tapawera, added Councillor Higgins. He explained that he had not consulted Councillor E. 11. Jones (Hospital Board member ) on the matter. Seconding the motion Councillor J. Pugh said that as they footed the bill they should have a voice in this matter to a certain extent. With the school and high school at Tapawera. that was where the nurse should be stationed. As the representative on the Hospital Board he supported the motion wholeheartedly, said Councillor Jones. He explained that the facts were that owing to the Health Department considering that the present quarters of the nurse were not satisfactory and because there was no other available house in Tapawera, the department, in conjunction with Major Dagger, Hospital Board chairman, had decided to instal the nurse in an old school house at Motupiko and to have the house renovated. He considered that it was up to the Hospital Board to provide an alternative house for the nurse in Tapawera, which was the centre of the district. Councillor Pugh thought that the council should not dictate to the Hospital Board about building a house, but the nurse should be retained in TapaThe chairman, Councillor J. C6rder, said that he had hoped that the council would keep clear of this subject, but if a majority of ratepayers was affected then they had a right to express an opinion. The motion was finally passed unanimously in the following form: “Believing it is the intention of the Health Department and Hospital Board to station the District Nurse at Motupiko, the council is of the opinion that owing to the conformation of the valleys in her area, much greater service at a minimum cost can be given if her residence remains at Tapawera.”