FEES INCREASED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 12

FEES INCREASED

PRIVATE HOSPITALS ADVANCE OF ONE GUINEA NURSES' SHORTER HOURS PETITION TO DEPARTMENT Following the introduction of regulations reducing the weekly hours of work for nurses to 48, inclusive of meal times, private hospitals in Auckland have increased the fees charged to patients by £1 Is a week. This will also have the effect of establishing a minimum weekly charge of £6 6s.

The increased fees were decided upon at a meeting of the" licensees of seven hospitals, representing 160 "acute" beds. Considerable concern was ex-i pressed at the difficulties which the new regulations entailed, the wide implications of the position being discussed. The fact that meal times were included in the 48-hour week was regarded as a most difficult provision.

In an endeavour to secure some amendment to the new conditions, a petition was forwarded from the meeting to the Director-jGeneral of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt. The "grave hardship" of the provisions was pointed out and it was stated that, with the need of extra staff, difficulties arose from an acute shortage of nurses and from a lack of accommodation for them.

It was also considered that special dispensation should be allowed in the case of theatre sisters and others who fulfilled special duties the exigencies of which required them to be available for long and continuous periods on many occasions. This was particularly so in surgical hospitals. In consideration of their work, they were paid higher salaries and received extra privileges.