MEDICAL SUPPLIES GRANTED MATATA NURSING RESIDENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 43, 12 May 1950, Page 5

MEDICAL SUPPLIES GRANTED MATATA NURSING RESIDENT

A request from a resident at Matata, a qualified nursing sister, for a quantity of medical supplies was dealt with by the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board yesterday and after some discussion it was agreed to give the supplies on application being made to the medical superintendent, who would supply them at his discretion. It was pointed out, however, that the Board was not bound to give the supplies but would be made as a duty to the public. Mrs Caverhill mentioned that the woman in question was a qualified nurse and was doing valuable work in attending accidents at Matata, She was at the beck and call of everyone and was really imposed on outrageously by the public. This nurse had complained that she had ordered supplies from the hospital and these had never come.

Many supplies she paid for out of her own pocket, Mrs Caverhill added.

Board Not Bound The medical superintendent, Dr E. T. Dawson, said that he had never seen the requisition for the supplies. In any case the Board was not bound to give supplies. A good deal of valuable assistance- had been received from this nurse and although the Board was not duty bound to give the supplies it was a duty that should be given the public, the v chairman, Mr J. Mullins, pointed out. ,

Mrs Sumner said she did not think the Board was bound to help the nurse. While she agreed the woman was doing good work she did not think that the Board was bound to send .out supplies “just because some Maori cut his leg.” There were two district nurses who could be i called on to attend accidents. Mr L. Buddie pointed out that the woman in question was doing very •good work and he thought she should be assisted. Some method of sending her supplies should be arranged. He thought some arrangement might be made where she could work in with the district nurses.

Mr A. McGougan agreed that it was desirable that assistance be given. District nurses were not always available and the Matata nurse might be called upon at any time to attend accidents.

Most Were Maoris Most of the cases attended were Maoris, Mrs Sumner said. Some arrangement could possibly be made under the district nurses but supplies, if sent, should be drawn in a more methodical way than had been the case.

Dr Dawson said he thought 'the nurse should write to the medical superintendent if she wanted supplies. These could be packed and then despatched.

Mr Buddie mentioned that for many years he had heard of the good work being done at Matata by the nurse. Similar reference was made ■ by Mr Mtillins, who paid a tribute to the work being done by the nurse.