British Medical Association

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 2, 1 April 1923, Page 50

British Medical Association

Letter from New Zealand Branch

(Copy) Wellington, Mar. 12th, 1923. Miss Bicknell, Acting Hon. Secretary, N.Z.T.N.A., Wellington. Dear Madam, Referring to your letter of 4th January last, I have to inform you that a deputation consisting of three representative members of your Association waited upon the Council in Christchurch, with the object of pointing out the disadvantages to trained nurses through members of the B.M.A. countenancing the employment of untrained women by their patients. The deputation asked that members of the B.M.A. in New Zealand, be instructed not to work with an untrained nurse when there was a qualified nurse available. In the course of a discussion which followed it was pointed out by members of the Council that as trained nurses could not be expected to undertake many of the household duties in the poorer houses, where there was no domestic assistance available, the doctor was compelled sometimes to avail himself of the services of untrained women who could assist in the house, and this must be so until there was some intermediate nurse or help obtainable. The Chairman thanked the deputation for bringing forward a matter of so great importance to the profession. The whole question, including certain difficulties which had been referred to Avould be discussed, and a reply would be given the deputation later. The deputation then withdrew.

After further discussion it was resolved : — " That it be a recommendation to members to employ registered nurses in preferenceto unregistered whenever possible/' Unfortunately the names of the members of the deputation were not handed to me, and I shall be obliged if you will kindly inform them of the decision of the Council as above, I am, dear Madam, Yours faithfully, H. E. Gibbs, Hon. Secretary. In accordance with a resolution passed by the Central Council of the N.Z.T.N.A., a deputation consisting of Miss Hood, President, Misses Buckley, and Mulcock, VicePresidents of the Christchurch branch, waited on the British Medical Association's General Conference, on February 21st. Miss Hood reports that they were very well received by the large Council present, and had a most patient and sympathetic hearing. Some of the Medical members expressed surprise that so many untrained nurses were employed. They were reminded that this was not the first time they had been approached on the subject, but the Nurses' Association hoped that some good would result from these appeals. The Medical Association further discussed the subject after the deputation had withdrawn, and passed the following resolution : " That it be a recommendation to members to employ registered nurses in preference to unregistered, whenever possible." ■