NURSES FROM HAWKE’S BAY

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1931, Page 2

NURSES FROM HAWKE’S BAY

POSITIONS NEEDED IN HOSPITALS.

CONSIDERATION IN N. PLYMOUTH.

The possibility of some nurses from the earthquake area continuing their training at the New Plymouth hospital was considered at a meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board in New Plymouth yesterday. The medical superintendent said it was possible, if patients from the area were taken at the hospital, that extra nurses might be needed to care for them.

There were 75 pupil 'nurses from the Napier hospital, stated the DirectorGeneral of Health, who were wanting to continue their training. At present they had been given indefinite leave but it was not desirable that the leave should be too long. The department asked if the board could give preference to these nurses if any positions were open to them. , At present there was no accommodation for these nurses, said Dr. Rich (medical superintendent). The hospital had offered, however, to take 45 patients if necessary from the earthquake area. It was not likely that they would be acute cases but chronic cases, requiring an increase in staff. In that case some of the Napier pupil nurses might be taken at the hospital, provided the board agreed to boarding out some of the senior nurses. The matron had told him there would be no vacancies for any probationers on the staff until May 1. '