TWO WARDS OF RAETIHI HOSPITAL FORCED TO CLOSE

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 December 1946, Page 4

TWO WARDS OF RAETIHI HOSPITAL FORCED TO CLOSE

ACUTE STAFF SHORTAGE (O.C ) Raetihi, Dec. 2. News that the surgical and medical wards cf the Waimarino -Hospital at Raetihi were to he closed this week because of staff shortage caused widespread concern throughout the county to-day. It was ascertained by the “Chronicle” resident staff reporter nt Raetihi that it is intended to transfer the 22 patients in the hospital to Taihape and Wanganui. It is intended, however, to keep open the maternity ward at the hospital. Of the present staff of five sisters, four are leaving with no replacement, and eight aides are also required to bring the staff personnel up to full strength. Thp staff shortage has been acute al the Waimarino Hospital for a long time, an< the matron. Miss Gasson. it was learned on good authority, has been working 16 hours a day and sometimes longer. The Waimarino Hospital is under the control of the Wanganui Hospital Board, and since it was established some years ago has served a wide and scattered area efficiently, filling a long-felt want in the county. With a view to discussing the situation, the Raetihi Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting In the Druids’ Hall, Raetihi. on Tuesday night.

STATEMENT BY BOARD CHAIRMAN

“The whole trouble is that we are short of staff and simply cannot get any more,” said ihe chairman of the Wanganui Hospital Board. Mr. D. Simpson, Hunterville, in a telephone interview last night, commenting on the intended closing of the tw r o wards. “We considered it was not fair on the remaining staff to have them working overtime continually, and could reach no other decision,” he added. “The intention is to carry on with the maternity ward and have two emergency beds available for accident or surgical cases until the staff position is righted. It Is understood that at to-night’s meeting in Raetihi an appeal is to be made for women of the district to volunteer as nursing aides, and if these are forthcoming the position will be altered. The Hospital Board will be represented at thia meeting by Mr. L. Nation, who represents the Waimarino County and the boroughs of Raetihi and Ohakune on the board.”