48-HOUR WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23082, 6 July 1938, Page 16

48-HOUR WEEK

PRIVATE HOSPITALS NEW REGULATIONS OPPOSED REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCI VTION] DUNEDIX. Tuesday The possible effect of th? enforcement of the regulation requiring the observance of a 48-hour week for nurses in private hospitals and maternity homes is being viewed with some concern in Dunedin. The position was fully discussed this evening at a wellattended meeting of proprietresses of private hospitals and maternity homes in the city. Tim meeting was the outcome of the Gazette notice published last month outlining the new Private Hospitals (Hours of Work) Regulations, which will come into force on September 1. The regulations provide that tho hours for nurses shall not exceed an average of *lB in any period of four weeks. Further provisions are that every member of the nursing staff must bo allowed at least one complete day off duty every week or by agreement two consecutive days off every fortnight, and that no night nurse shall be on duty on more than six nights in any week. While to-night's meeting was not averse to falling in with the Health Department's request the general feeling was that on account of the shortage of trained nurses and the consequent difficulty in rearranging staffs the 4.8hour week would bo almost impracticable.

it was emphasised also that no nursing institutions could legislate satisfactorily for emergency cases if with their already depleted staffs they were forced to observe a 48-hour week. It was finally agreed to write to the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Eraser, and ask that in view of the difficulty of obtaining trained staffs and the increased cost of the necessary supplies, the regulation lie modified to meet tho requirements of private nursing institutions.

The meeting also decided that on account of the increased cost of all foodstuffs and medical supplies private hospital fees be increased as from July 12.