HOSPITAL REGRADED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 8

HOSPITAL REGRADED

EXPLANATION OF ACTION. STRATFORD NOT LARGE ENOUGH. An explanation of the regrading of the Stratford District Hospital from an A grade training centre for nurses to a B grade was given in a letter from the Nurses and Midwives’ Registration Board received by the Stratford Hospital Board yesterday. The board had on receipt of the notification of regrading written in protest. The reason for the registration board’s action was that all hospitals under a daily average of 40 occupied beds had now been graded as B grade training schools, it was stated, Stratford being the last to be brought into this class. In the opinion of the registration board there was not sufficient clinical material in hospitals of the size of Stratford to supply sufficient practical training to pupil nurses during a three years’ course. This applied particularly to the special branches of work such as eye, ear, nose, throat, etc., and it was considered by the board that it was essential that all pupil nurses trained in small hospitals should have the opportunity of additional practical work in one of the larger training schools. It would be as well for the public to understand the reasons for the regrading, said Mrs. D. Shannon, so that they should not think it was due to a lack of efficiency. Some had even ascribed it to the board’s changed policy, she said.

SETTLERS FAREWELLED. MR. AND MRS. RUNNING, HUIROA. A social evening was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. H. Sunning, Huiroa, who are leaving the district, in the Huiroa hall on Monday night. Their popularity in the district was evident from the large attendance. Mr. H. R. Wickham presented Mr. and Mrs. Sunning with a set of jugs and a salad bowl. Music for dancing was played by Miss Joyce Wallace, Miss M. Iremonger, Mr. L. Potroz and Mr. Jacobson. Mr. C. Fletcher was master of ceremonies. During an interval in the dancing Miss M. Morris, Wellington, gave two elocution items. Personal. Mr. A. Braud, Dannevirke, has taken up his residence in the district. Mrs. A. H. Bowen is on holiday at Bulls. Mrs. MacDougal, Devonport. Auckland, who has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wallace, has returned. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Carr, Raglan, who have been spending the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wallace, have returned. .Miss ..Gwen and Mr. Gordon Stove are on holiday at New Plymouth. Mr. A. Bevins is an inmate of the Stratford hospital. Mr. Harris, Wellington, has been spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. V. Bevins. Miss Edna Goldup is home for a few days.