NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 7

NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL

RECOGNITION OF HOSPITALS. MANY DIVISIONS' ON THE BILL By Telegraph.—Press Association. * - Wellington, Last; Night. Urgency was accorded the passage of the Nurses and' Midwives’ Registration Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, and it" was' considered in committee. Mr. J. A. Young contended that it. would be unfair to include a representative of the hospital boards on tlfe Nurses’ and Midwives’ Registration Board unless another representative of the nurses were included. At present there were five members of the board, including only two nominated by those •who bould speak on behalf; of the nursing profession. If the amendment were adopted the balance of the-board would be upset. He urged that if the. Minister was determined to go on with the amendment he should also make provision for the inclusion of three, representatives of the nursing profession. He believed the control should be in the hands of the profession. ’ Mr. P. Fraser said that while Mt. Young had pointed out there would be fan alteration in the representation on the board he had failed to. show that there would be any terrible consequenees_froin such an alteration. Mr./H. Mi Rushworth said the only criticism he wished to level at the Bill was the failure to define what was ‘‘an inadequate charge” with. I respect to " beds in private. hospitals available to the public. *Mr. W. E. Barnard suggested it might be left to the board to determine what should be regarded as an inadequate charge. • i Mr. A. Harris asked whether medical fees would be included under the deiinition “inadequate charge.” Mr. Stall worthy: Medical fees are not included. ' 1( MANY AMENDMENTS DEFEATED.' Mr. Harris declared this was a departure from the original intention. The Bill would simply- enable doctors to place patients in private hospitals and charge them what they liked. He in- I tended when the clause was. reached to move an amendment providing that the fee, say four guineas a week, should be inclusive of everything. Mr. H. E. Holland said medical fees were paid in private hospitals at the present time. The object'of the. Bill was to enable nurses to receive training in suitable private hospitals. The short title having been passed, Mr. Harris moved that the clause dealing with the conditions subject to which hospitals' or other institutions might be approved as training schools for nurses should be so amended that 40 beds should be available at all times receiving medical, nursing and hospital service without charge or for an inadequate charge, the word “medical” be. added to the original clause. The amendment was rejected by 42 votes to 21. Mr. Young moved to add to the same section of the Bill the words ‘which 40 beds shall be the training school for nurses.” He said it was desirable that only beds open to the public should be recognised for training purposes. That was the system adopted in Canada. The amendment was defeated by, 47 votes to 18. ' - ■ A Mr. W. P. 'Endean moved an amend- . meat providing that' an “inadequate charge” should not be greater than the charge for the same services in a public hospital or institution was situated. Mr. Stallworthy said that while an inadequate charge would probably be on the basis outlined in the amendment such a practice might operate unsatisfactorily -in some instances, .He - considered the. most suitable means of meeting the situation was to leave a decision as t<r an inadequate charge in the hands of the Nurses’ and Midwives Registration Board. , The amendment was defeated by 41 to 22. >' Mr. Young moved a further amendment stipulating that before any institution is recognised as a training school th 3 board should satisfy. itself "that reciprocal arrangements with England are not to be prejudiced. The amendment was defeated by 44 to 19 and the clause was passed. \ • After further discussion Mr. Stallworthy intimated that he would be prepared to meet the wishes of the House and insert some amendment dealiim with the -. inadequate charge when “the Bill was before the Legisla tive Council.

\(Left Sitting.)