Plain Speaking.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXII, 30 May 1896, Page 626

Plain Speaking.

A GENTLEMAN signing himself * Fault Finder ’ writes :—* Having lately been in the Auckland

Nurses’ Home (attached to the Hospital) on business, I was much struck with the bareness of the rooms. I learnt that there was no coloured table-cloth in the dining-room, where the nurses often sit. They have either to contemplate bare boards or keep on the white cloth used for meals. Surely if our Hospital Board cannot afford this little luxury (many people would think it a necessity) some generous person in the city or suburbs will donate one. Possibly in some warehouse or private house there may be one which is good, but not quite the very latest style. Will they not send this up to the Lady Superintendent ? I also learn that the beds are much in need of quilts, no new ones having been bought since there were nurses. A few cushions, pictures, bookshelves, brackets, etc., a rug or two, some books and games would all add greatly to the comfort of this very hard-worked portion of the community. Surely when we reflect the blessings and comfort these nurses are to the helpless sick and dying in our Hospital, we shall all feel inclined to do all we can to make the very little leisure they do have as much of a rest and enjoyment as possible. For nursing is most exhaustive work, there is such a continual demand not only on the bodily strength, but on the sympathy and tenderheartedness of the nurse, and only those who have had much to do with invalids and patients of any kind know how exacting, hard to please, and impatient many, or most of them are.’