HOSPITAL CONDITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 13

HOSPITAL CONDITIONS.

MR. RICHARDS' COMPLAINTS. FOOD OF NIGHT NURSES. *' In reviewing the statements made by me in the House of Representatives in tho debate of the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill, it is necessary to remember that my attack was not upon the administration of the Auckland Hospital Boaid, but against the policy of the Government, who is, in my opinion, responsible for some anomalies that exist in our hospitals," writes Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P. for Roskill. "I regret Mr. Wallace should be shocked by my statements, nevertheless, such statements are true, as will be noticed in a report published on Fiiday Inst. His exact words "re: —'We fought for years for the eight-hour day in the hospital. We got it eventually, and we stick to it. Except in special cases and when tho nurses are undertaking special theatre training.' This exactly supports my contention, as my remarks were in reference to theatre duties. I doubt if the chairman can disprove that theatre trainees do work over 11 hours daily. Please notice the words, 'Except in special cases,' applies to theatre staffs regularly during the period of their training of several weeks' duration. " In reference to the food, I stated that in some instances the food was a disgrace. This certainly is true in referenco to the food sent round to the night nurses while on duty, and I suggest should the chairman investigate this particular section of his staff lie will find ample proof of my statement. I did not rnnko general statements covering the whole institution.

" I can assure Mr. Wallace I have no desire to embarrass his board iri any way; I compliment him upon the improvements made of recent years, and I can only assume he is not aware of the detailed conditions under which his large staff are working. I did not attack hospital boards; to the contrary, my condemnation was of the Government's policy in attacking the board's subsidies, thus making it more difficult for Mr Wallace and his colleagues to carry on.

" Other references such as the peneronshearted girls voluntary for extra duty when necessary, I wholeheartedly support; knowing how splendid they are in their noble sacrificing work makes me all the more earnest, to know they are not unduly overworked."