H.—3l.

This year the courses given include one for the preparation of medical social workers, a service which is in its infancy in New Zealand, but which is very necessary, particularly with the extension of social legislation. So as to include further field-work the course has been extended by another month, and it has been decided to advise intending applicants that students will not be accepted over thirty-five years of age, unless exceptional circumstances exist. In February the first reunion and refresher course for students was held ; over seventy nurses attended, and had a very happy and profitable day. Opportunity was taken by the nurses holding their diploma to give Miss Moore, on retirement, a token of their deep appreciation of what Miss Moore has done for nursing education in New Zealand. With Miss Moore's retirement, Miss R. Bridges has taken over the course in hospital administration and teaching, and Miss F. Cameron that of public-health nursing and medical social work. Nursing Education. The study of nursing procedures was continued. The previous method of questionnaire followed by the publication of a prepared technique was followed, further attention being given to children's nursing and the last offices for the dead. A series of suggested topics for film strips for teaching purposes were also drawn up, and it is proposed to arrange for the preparation of these strips in conjunction with the New Zealand Registered Nurses' Association, for sale amongst the training-schools. An essay competition entitled " Personal Hygiene in the Life of the Nurse " was won by Hokitika Hospital. Health of Nursing Staffs. The international study concerning health statistics among nursing staffs concluded its investigations with the year 1938. This report is not yet published, but there is no doubt it aroused a very considerable interest in this important subject. The Department intends to pursue the subject in a slightly different form with the object of obtaining more exact information concerning our own conditions. The Nursing Service and the National Emergency. In view of the fact that for the past three years New Zealand has experienced a shortage of registered nurses, with the outbreak of war it became necessary to control the recruitment of nurses to a much greater extent to ensure an adequate nursing service for New Zealand, the maintenance of our present standard of training, and at the same time provide a carefully selected and competent personnel for the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. The following recommendations from the Nursing Council have been approved by the Government:— (1) No permits will be given for registered New Zealand nurses to travel beyond New Zealand unless grave personal reasons exist: (2) No Matron of a training-school or senior member of the nursing profession, holding a key position, will be released for active service unless an understudy has been trained to fill her position : (3) All nurses in the employ of the Government or a Hospital Board, proceeding on active service, are to be given indefinite leave, and the Government or Hospital Board will be responsible for the nurses' superannuation contributions while on active service : (4) Applicants for the N.Z.A.N.S. are considered by the Nursing Council and graded according to the nursing services of the country—i.e., Hospital Boards, private hospitals, private nursing, Government Departments, Plunket Society. In calling up nurses, consideration according to the number of nurses in each service and each district is to be given in assessing the allocation : (5) A scheme for giving a short training in hospital for voluntary aids was inaugurated for those who had certificates in home nursing, first aid, and hygiene, from either the New Zealand Red Cross Society or the Commandery of St. John : (6) A register of registered nurses not in active practice but who would be willing to assist, in times of emergency, either in their own district or elsewhere, was inaugurated in each health district with the co-operation of the New Zealand Registered Nurses Association. In this way it is hoped to ensure that the national service in New Zealand is maintained, and yet a well-qualified group of Sisters may be provided for the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. New Legislation. In October, 1939, an amendment to the Nurses and Midwives Registration Act was passed which inaugurated several important changes : — (a) Provision was made for the training and examination of nursing aids according to the scheme outlined in last year's report, with the creation of a special register for these aids : (b) Mental hospitals were graded as B Grade Training Schools for nurses, and now come under the supervision of the Nurses and Midwives Registration Board as far as their teaching is concerned. Mental nurses in future will sit for the State Preliminary Examination, and on completion of their three years' mental training will be given credit for one year three months if they wish to continue with their general training :

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