FIRE ESCAPE INCIDENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12323, 18 December 1925, Page 6

FIRE ESCAPE INCIDENT

AT WELLINGTON HOSPITAL SHOULD NURSES BE OUT ULLII P.M.? MATTER REFERRED TO COMMITTEE The incident at the Wellington Hospital, in which nurses who had exceeded their hour of leave and climbed up the fire escape, and whose pun-: ishment was the subject of a lively discussion at the last hoard meeting, was carried a step further yesterday at' the meeting at which Mr C. M. Luke presided, Mr E. Vine moved:—“That the hour to which nurses not on duty may absent themselves from the institution without special permission of the matron be extended to 11 p.m., and that' the rules for nurses be altered accordingly.” The mover said he thought the early hour at which nurses were required to he in was the cause _ of the trouble. Social conditions to-day were different to what they were a few years ago. Today attendance at the picture shows was part of the daily curriculum of home life, and the hour at which nurses were required to be back in the institution was too' early. It was not unusual for them to visit friends in the city, and if supper was put on at 10 o’clock they bad to leave before or put their friends to some inconvenience. Girls in New Zealand were to be trusted, and the hoard might allow the privilege of the extra hour, knowing it would not be abused, and which was their due. Mr C. B. Robinson seconded, adding that in London 11 o’clock was considered an enrly hour. The Rev. Van Staveren moved that the matter he referred to the hospital committee.

Messrs Appleton and Castle supported this.

Mr C. H. Chanman thought 11 o’clock a reasonable hour, and said he would go further and say that when the nurses had finished their duties their time was their own. The chairman, Mr O. M. Luke, pointed out that many of the nurses were receiving training and had to he at their duties at 6 o’clock in the morning.

Mr Ohanman considered the heal'd should deal with the matter as one of policy and not refer it to the committee. The nurses should not he treated as if they were children of 15 or 18. , . . Mr Appleton said that since he had learned what the duties were he agreed that the matter wanted careful consideration, although he thought g o ™o latitude should ho allowed. Mr Vine urged that the hoard should decide the auestion. On being put to the vote the amendment to refer P to the committee was carried by a large majority.