INCREASE NEEDED IN NURSING STAFF OF TIMARU HOSPITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18547, 22 August 1928, Page 4

INCREASE NEEDED IN NURSING STAFF OF TIMARU HOSPITAL.

“ NURSES OVERWORKED,” SAYS COMMITTEE.

Reports which were submitted to y-cs-terdav’s meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board made it quite clear that an increase in the nursing staff was imperative through the extra amount of work that required attention. Several mirses had been ill and some had left the board’s employe The staff was being o\-erworked and it had been found impossible to give the nurses their regular day’s off. After discussion it was decided to increase the nursing staff to an extent that Avould enable the Avork at the public hospital to be carried out in an adequate manner. In a report the medical superintendent, Dr J. Campbell M’Kenzie, said that “ the past month had been a busy one and considerable difficulty has been experienced on the nursing side. Talbot Hospital has been full, requiring another nurse, se\’eral have been ill and some have left. To meet the situation it Avas necessary to engage three trained nurses from outside. If the present position continues or recurs an increase in the accommodation for the nursing staff is imperatiA’c.” The House Committee reported that “with the present staff nurses Avere being OA-erworked and it Avas impossible to gi\e them their days off. ifoth the medical superintendent and matron considered that the minimum additional number of nurses required A\*as four. A recommendation had been made to the finance committee that four additional nurses be employed, and that arrange, ments be made to board them near the hospital, if necessary.”