LEADING THE WORLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 274, 18 November 1937, Page 2

LEADING THE WORLD

HOURS FOR NURSES REDUCTION AT AUCKLAND. [ Per Press ] AUCKLAND, Nov. 16. An action that was described by Dr. J. P. Hastings as possibly enabling New Zealand to lead the world was taken by the Auckland Hospital Board when it approved the recommendation of the lady superintendent, Miss E. Nutsey to reduce the working hours of nurses from 48 to 45 a week. None of the three daily shifts will now exceed 7-i hours. Reporting for duty after breakfast the morning nurses will work from 7 a.m. until 3.15 p.m., with three-quarters of an hour free for lunch. A similar break for tea will be enjoyed by the afternoon nurses, who are to be on duty from 2.45 p.m. until 11 p.m., while half an hour free for a meal at midnight will be allowed the night nurses, who will work between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The hours for nurses on divided duty will be from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. until 6 p.m. “This represents a very considerable improvement,” stated the chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood. “Seven and a-half hours of duty is the shortest shift in any hospital in the Dominion.” Mrs. Dreaver expressed the hone that in order to balance the effect of the shorter hours steps would De taken to increase the strength of staff.

Miss Nutsey, who was complimented by the Board on her report, was instructed to report on the question of adding to the number of trainees.