APPEAL TO NURSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 21, 6 September 1946, Page 5

APPEAL TO NURSES

ASSISTANCE URGENTLY NEEDED

OBSTETRICAL CRISIS Owing to the drastic- shortage of members of the nursing profession, particularly those with maternity training, there is a Dominion-wide appeal to any who have had experience in midwifery to assist in the present crisis. The position is very drastic in Whakatane, and immediate assistance is needed to cope with the ever-increasing number of patients using the local annexe. We print the following letter from Miss M. O. Lambie, Director of the Division of Nursing, Department of Health. It is addressed to all those who have had any experience in nursing:—

During the war when an appeal was made to help with the problem of nursing our servicemen, or even our civilians, the nursing profession as a whole readily responded, and it was possible to staff our hospitals so that the patients received the care to which they are entitled.

Now another national emergency has arisen—between now and March of next year a very large increase in New Zealand’s birth rate is anticipated. If the children of the wives of our servicemen are to have the care they need and deserve, it means that our maternity hospitals must have additional staff. In view of this I am writing to every midwife and maternity nurse on. the practising register to ask them if they will be prepared to help with this obstetrical crisis, and, if they know midwives or maternity nurses who have retired or married, will they approach these nurses to see if they will be willing to help, even if it is only for a few hours daily. Every public and private maternity hospital requires help. It will be a disgrace to our profession if these new citizens of New Zealand are not given the start in life they require. This is therefore a personal appeal which I am sure you will answer by getting in touch with your nearest maternity hospital, if you are not already practising obstetrics.