Subjects for Discussion

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 4, 1 October 1926, Page 149

Subjects for Discussion

(a) Do life members if returning to work need to pay subscriptions again ? (b) Can nothing be done — if a nurse's conduct is not approved of — if she is not a member of the N.Z.T.N.A. ? (c) Should overseas nurses staying a few months only m a town be given the same share of work as those who are permanent? (d) What constitutes a nurse's week? (c) The improvement of the status of N.Z. nurses m England. (f) The post-graduate course for nurses. (g) That Hospital Boards be asked to pay travelling expenses of those nurses whom they have engaged when travelling to take up those positions. (h) That all subscriptions to the Nurses' Memorial Fund, less than five shillings, be sent to the Branch Secretary, to be forwarded by her to the Treasurer of the Nurses' Memorial Fund (Mr. Chamberlain, 9 Regent's Road, Dunedin). (i) Should medical members be elected to Branch Councils? (k) Maternity nurses: should board as well as waiting fee be charged while waiting to go to a case? (1) Printing of Central Council Rules. The remits were considered, not m order as above, and after discussion the following motions were carried: — Motions Carried. 1. That coloured membership cards (the colour changing each year) be issued to financial members once a year similar to those used by Ladies' Clubs, to be used by nurses visiting other centres. 2. That life members be regarded as financial. 3. That if the Department of Health is not prepared to pay the salaries of the Nurse Lecturers m the Otago University as a whole, they should

be asked to subsidise any money given for the purpose. 4. That a letter be sent to the Red Cross Executive, and to the Minister of Health, explaining the position and asking them to receive a deputation from the Association. The following were appointed to form the deputation: Misses Stott, Tennant, Maclean, McKenny, Pattrick, Thurston, and Inglis. 5. That nurses from overseas should be allowed only six months m New Zealand when working through a bureau, before joining the Association. 6. That the "Objects of the Association" (appearing m the Central Council Rules) be printed at the beginning of all Branch rules. 7. That medical members of Branch Councils be advisory only. (Branch Secretaries m thanking the doctors on their Councils for their great help m the past, to explain that the change m their position on the Councils is to meet the requirements of the International Council of Nurses. 8. That as a rule a nurse's week consists of seven days and seven nights, though there may be deviation m certain cases. 9. That nurses joining the Association within three months of the end of the financial year should be judged to be financial members until the end of the following financial year. 10. That all subscriptions to the Nurses' Memorial Fund — less than five shillings m amount — should be sent to the Branch Secretary or Treasurer of the Association and periodically forwarded to the Hon. Treasurer of the Fund. 11. That maternity nurses be allowed to charge for board while waiting to go to a case. (That is, if the patient is not able or does not wish to have the nurse waiting m her house.) 12. That the following remit from the Wanganui Hospital Board be supported by the Association: — "That the Government be recommended to

amend the National Provident Fund Act to permit a retirement at the age of 48 for nurses employed by Hospital Boards, and the pension of such employees be computed on the basis of 1/45 of salary (instead of 1/60 of each year of service) with a maximum of 36/45. Any increased contributions required by these amendments to be met by the Hospital Board, subject to the usual Government subsidy on contributions to the Fund." 13. That the Minister of Health be requested to take up the matter of the nurses employed under the Department who do not come under the Public Service Superannuation Act, or the Act which provides for superannuation for nurses and hospital employees and to make every effort to have a great injustice remedied. 14. That a recommendation be sent from the Central Council to the Hospital Boards of New Zealand asking that the probationery period for nurses m training be extended to not less than six months. 15. That a request be sent to the Hospital Boards Association that a Matrons' Conference be called, if possible, when the conference of Hospital Boards takes place. 16. That a letter be sent to the Hospital Boards Association from the Central Council suggesting that when matters relating to the nursing staffs of hospitals are under discussion the Division of Nursing should be represented m the person of the Director and other representatives of the Nursing profession. It was moved that a resolution be sent from the Council to all Hospital Boards of the Dominion and to the Hospital Boards Association impressing upon them the importance of commemorating May 12th (Florence Nightingale's birthday) as Hospitals Day. — Motion carried. Recommendations. 1. That the question of nurses, not being members of the Association, paying more for their cases if work-

ing through a bureau than members of the Association, be left to the individual branches to decide, — the Council feels that a higher fee is justifiable for non-members. 2. That long distance telephone calls for engaging a nurse be charged to the patient. 3. That all branches be urged to do their utmost to procure new members for the Association by entertaining newly qualified nurses and by other means. 4. In cases where the conduct of a nurse — not being a member of the N.Z.T.N.A. — is not approved, it was recommended that she should be reported to the Nurses' and Midwives' Registration Board. Matters for Branches to decide individually. 1. It was proposed that life members if returning to work after a certain period be asked to pay subscriptions again. It was moved as an amendment that this be left to branches to decide for themselves m the meantime. 2. In the case of overseas nurses staying a few months only m a town being given the same share of work as those who are permanent, it was decided that branches must arrange this for themselves. 3. The question of exacting a fine for those subscribers to "Kai Tiaki" who are late m paying their subscriptions was also left to the branches for individual decision. Withdrawal of Remits. No. 3. That the financial year of all branches end at the same time. — This remit was withdrawn, as it was found that this arrangement is now m forceNo. 4. This remit was withdrawn, as the Nurses' and Midwives' Registration Board is not the body to approach m the matter of retaining the services of the Nurse Lecturers. G. It was decided not to ask Hospital Boards to pay travelling expenses of those nurses whom they have engaged, as most Boards already do so.

Status of N.Z. Nurses in England. The Auckland delegates explained that this should have been "N.Z. midwives" instead of "nurses." Miss Bicknell, Director of Nursing, explained the status of New Zealand nurses abroad to the entire satisfaction of the delegates. It was agreed to defer discussion on the status of N.Z. Midwives in England until the basis of reciprocity has been decided upon. Motion Lost. The motion that all nurses in training be admitted as associate members of the N.Z.T.N.A. was lost, delegates feeling that although nurses in training should be invited and encouraged to take an interest in the Association, it is not altogether advisable to admit them as associate members. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected : — President, Miss Pengelly ; Vice-Presi-dents, the Presidents-elect of the Branches ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Inglis. The following accounts were passed for payment: — Subscription to International Council of Nurses (1926) £10 4 0 Hon. See's expenses .... 3 14 Petty Cash 2 0 0 Total £15 5 4

Thanks. Very hearty votes of thanks were passed to Miss Macdonald, retiring President; to Miss Inglis, Hon. Secretary; to the Hawke's Bay Council, and all those who had contributed to the pleasure and entertainment of the delegates. Sympathy. Much sympathy was expressed for Miss Newman and Miss Gow, both very useful members of the Association, and who have recently been seriously ill. Appreciation. It was moved that letters of appreciation from the Central Council be sent to the Hon. Mark Cohen for his continued efforts on behalf of the nurses of New Zealand; to Dr. Falconer for his efforts on behalf of Nursing Education ; and to the Otago Branch for their perseverance and initiative m connection with the Diploma of Nursing and the post-graduate course, particularly m guaranteeing half the salary for the Nurse Lecturer for one year. The membership of the N.Z.T.N.A. amounts to 1,320, as against 1,294 m 1925. It is made up as follows: — Auckland Branch 305 Wellington Branch 390 Hawke's Bay Branch .... 107 Canterbury Branch 234 Otago Branch 210 Southland Branch 58 Nelson Sub-Centre 16