Taumarunui Hospital

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 3, 1 July 1923, Page 141

Taumarunui Hospital

Subsequent to the terrible railway disaster which occurred near Taumarunui this month, the Taumarunui Hospital was the scene of great activity. The small staff was stretched to its utmost capacity to cope with the stream of injured which were taken there for treatment, but the matron, Miss Malyon, writes that she was proud of the way the nurses rose to the occasion and worked splendidly. Several married and retired nurses living in the neighbourhood at once came and offered valuable assistance, and with other volunteers' help, all that was possible was done for the sufferers. Among these were two girls engaged in nursing — one in a menial hospital and one in a private hospital — and they were progressing well.

Thirty dental nurses were posted out in May' or June to the districts selected for the new experiencing in dental work for the primer classes in the schools of the

Dominion. The igirls have had a very careful training, and it is expected that their work will be of great value in preserving the teeth of the young generation. They have to do a good deal of work on their own initiative, though as far as possible they are under professional supervision and the frequent inspection of the officers of the Dental Division, the Director of which is enthusiastic as to the capability shown by the girls.

This work certainly seems one which is specially suited to women. It is concerned chiefly with young children, and greatly on that account was the designation of "nurse" adopted. So far very few trained nurses have been tempted to forsake their own work, though one has gone through the course and is now at work. We will await Avith interest the result of this new scheme. It is, of course, as in the case of nurses posted out to districts, greatly hampered by the difficulty of securing suitable accommodation and working conditions.