Notes from the Plunket Nursing Service and Karitane Hospitals

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XXII, Issue 3, 1 July 1929, Page 139

Notes from the Plunket Nursing Service and Karitane Hospitals

During the past year the Society has suffered the loss of several Plunket Nurses, who had given long and devoted service to the work. Mrs. Wit hell, of Ashburton and Miss Kummer have been i ibliged to retire from active nursing work owing to ill-health. Miss Begbie, formerly matron of the Stewart-Karitane 1 [ospital, Wanganui, and later Plunket Nurse at Waipawa, has resigned m order to take up another branch of nursing work. The Society has also suffered greatly m the loss of Miss McHaffie, who leaves behind her a record of devoted service to the work, both as a district Plunket Nurse and as Matron of two Karitane AT other craft Homes m the strenuous days of their establishment.

M iss A. J. Wall has been appointed Plunket Nurse at Ashburton to fill the vacancy caused by Mrs. WitheH's resignation.

During the year Miss Petersen, of Xew Plymouth, and Miss Adams, of Wanganui, have taken "refresher" courses m ante-natal nursing at the Wellington and Auckland Plunket centres respectively, and have qualified m this special branch of the work. Miss Petersen returned to take charge of the New Plymouth ante-natal clinic, and Miss Adams has taken charge of the Wanganui one.

Miss [ngold, formerly Sister on the staff of the Auckland Karitane Hospital, is at present on leave-of-absence from the Society's work, taking her midwifery training at St. Helen's Hospital. Gis-

borne.

Miss McClurg, Plunket Nurse at Masterton, is also on leave-of-absence, and taking her midwifery training at St. Helen's Hospital, Christchurch.

Miss Perrin, formerly Plunket Nurse at Thames for three and a half years, is now on the staff at Karitane-Harris Hospital.

Miss Johnstone, formerly Plunket Nurse at Fairlie for five years, was appointed to Thames to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Perrin's resignation.

Miss McKee, formerly Plunket Nurse at Waimate for twelve years, has now been appointed Plunket Nurse at Featherston.

Miss Aitken, who had been Plunket Nurse at Featherston for four years, has been appointed to Waikari. North Canterbury.

Miss EC. Macdonald, Plunket Nurse at Hamilton, has resigned m order to take charge of her Maternity Hospital m Te Aroha; Miss Lowe, formerly Plunket Nurse at Whangarei, has been appointed to the vacancy.

Miss Florence Williams has taken Miss 1. Clark's place as Plunket Nurse at Pukekohe, Miss Clark having joined the staff of the Education Department m Auckland.

Miss Helen Grant, of Stratford, and Miss Harris, of P>lenheim, have left to travel overseas. Miss Grant is now m

South Africa.

During the past year the following nurses have joined the Society's staff m a temporary capacity or as relieving nurses (all new appointments are on a temporary basis for the first year) :• —E. Burnett, G. Cunningham, I. Lockwood, X. Arnott, C. Welsh, X T. Bergin, E. Paynter, J. Caldwell, E. Borrows, F. Home, G. Clarkson, K. Austin, E. Heath, P. McKenzie, E. Smith, M. Hitchman, W. Willocks, O. Turner, A. E. Rowe, J. Butler, L. Grant. A. P. Malcolm, K. Dawson, N. Garland.

* * * * ST. HELEN'S, WELLINGTON. Although it was a farewell to our examination candidates the evening of March 26th is a happy one m the memory of those who participated m the fun and frolic at St. Helen's, Wellington. Novel invitations had previously been given to each candidate.

Long before the appointed time peals of laughter issued from all comers of the Nurses' Home, as all had been asked to attend m fancy dress, and as is usually the case, many of the costumes were upon the spur of the moment. A traffic inspector and tram conductor ushered this strange and motley crowd into the nurses' sitting-room, where there were competitions, musical items and monologues. Later a delicious supper was served m the dining-room — during which much amusement was caused by the presentation of a weird and wonderful parcel to each examination girl. After supper the singing of "Auld Lang Sync" and "God Save the King" m the sitting-room, brought the evening to a close.