Otago Branch

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1915, Page 116

Otago Branch

Very little business has been before this Branch since last report. Council meetings have been held as usxial for the transaction of local affairs, and a social general meeting held at St. Helens Hospital, in May, to welcome the new President, Dr. Wm. Brown. On May 28th, an important general meeting was called to consider the proposals of the Hon. Mr. Rhodes for filling the vacancies on Hospital Staffs caused by the large number of nurses going to the front. The following resolutions were passed and sent to the Minister in Charge of Hospitals : — (1) That the Hospitals Department be asked to abrogate the time-limit of eight hours during war time as the (Dunedin) hospital nurses have volunteered to do longer duty if necessary.

(2) That a letter be sent to the Minister of Hospitals stating that in the event of necessity arising this Branch of the N.Z. T.N.A. agrees to his proposal subject to the condition that the term "Nurse" can be legally applied only to those who possess a State Registration Certificate. Replies have since been received from the Minister thanking the nurses for their offer re longer hours, and promising to communicate with the Local Board on the subject, and with regard to the second resolution promising to safeguard the interests of trained nurses. Dr. Falconer, of Dunedin Hospital at tended this meeting and gave some account of the working of the St. John RedCross Society in England, also the Voluntary Aid Detachment.