NURSES’ HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1921, Page 6

NURSES’ HOLIDAYS.

ONE FULL DAY MONTHLY. THREE WEEKS' ANNUAL LEAVE-. In connection with the working conditions cf nurses in public hospitals, the Public Health Department recently circularised boards concerning holiday proposals. At yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board a summary was received, setting out the opinions forwarded by the various boards in reply. Regarding the granting of a clear day off duty each week, 25 boards were in favor of the proposal, 4 boards were against, and 10 expressed no opinion. In regard to the second suggestion concerning a minimum holiday of 21 days, twenty-seven were in favor, no boards were against it, and 10 boards expressed no opinion. The Department stated that the Minister of Health was desirous that the two proposals should be given effect to as soon as possible, and asked what the board's intentions were. In regard to providing extra accommodation, which was required, he was desirous that, pending the erection of nurses’ homes, hospital boards, wherever feasible, should provide temporary accommodation for the staff by leasing suitable l ouses near the hospital. On this subject, the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) wrote as follows to the board: “Granting th.'<s day off must not be allowed to interfere with the efficient running of the hospital, and with the present dearth of probationers throughout the Dominion, 1 cannot see how the staffs necessary for the proposal, .are to be obtained, not to speak of tire expense in providing the accommodation for this staff, if obtained.”

The superintendent suggested that for the present in the New Plymouth hospital one day a month off duty be granted, in addition to the usual three weeks' annual holiday. This would permit of the gradual rearrangement of duties if necessary, and shbw how matters would stand in regard to puxre frequent leave.

The chairman of tire board (Mr. M. Faser) said the question had come before the board's committee, and they had consulted with the superintendent and matron as to how the proposal could be carried out. All the members of the board would willingly give the staff one day a week off if possible, but a hard and fast rule might work severely in the ease of an institution such as a hospital, While, in the case of last month, which was very light, they would Have been easily able to work the scheme, in another month the hospital might be full, Mr. Fraser pointing out that they had had as many as 110 cases in hospital at once, nearly all of which were serious, and it might be only at the risk of the patients’ lives that leave could be given The superintendent and matron were willing to give- the nurses as many days off as possible. and even to add more to the annual holidays, hut could not submit to a standing rule. In regard to the second proposal, namely, for three weeks’ annual leave, this was already being done by .the Taranaki Board. Mr. Andrews said that it had been stated that the proposal would necessitate seven additional nurses being added to the staff, and with the question of accommodation also to be provided for it seemed the proposition was largely one of finance. Notice to move that the staff be given one clear day off in seven had previously been given by Mr. E. Griffiths, who said that when he gave not'. -e lie had no knowledge *of tl?e move by the department, arid he had so’ moved feeling that the nurses should have more holidays. It seemed evident from their letter that the proposals were hound to come Into force sooner or later. After consultation with the officials of the hospital, however, he had decided to withdraw his motion in the meantime. He did hot Believe that in any other walk of life were any persons asked to work the same as nurses, but the proposal for one day a month would be some relief to commence with. Mr. S. Vickers said he would like to see i the superintendent’s proposal extended to one t.fiay a Jtoruuwbt. A fsw mor« nui’isa would,

be required, and further accommodation would be necessary, but he thought the country was quite well enough able to pay for this. Eventually it was decided that the superintendent’s letter proposing one day a month off duty be submitted to the Department for approval.