HEALTH OF NURSES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19166, 24 November 1927, Page 14

HEALTH OF NURSES.

CRITICISM RESENTED

INCIDENT AT BOARD MEETING

Business at the monthly meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday reached a tense pitch when Mrs Elizabeth MeConibs left the meeting place and Mr C. Carr refused to vote on a motion, if tor the vote was taken, Mr Carr graciously opened the door and Mrs McCombs resumed tor seat at the table.

The incident arose when a clause in the Hospital Committee's report was under consideration. The clause from the committee, of which Mr IT. 11. Holland is chairman, was as follows: The Lady Superintendent reports That although there has been a considerable amount of sickness amongst members of the nursing staff since her last report, the position is now much easier; many of those who have been ill are convalescing and it is anticipated that the staff will be normal by December Ist. At the time of reporting the number oft.' duty was eight. In speaking to the clause the chairman of the committee took exception to an article which had appeared in a Christchurch paper. He said he wa3 satisfied that the nursing staff and «taff generally was better paid than those outside the institution, and he said that emphatically. He moved that the Board expresses its confidence ir. its administrative officers in connexion with the treatment and training of the nursing staff. The motion was seconded by Mrs A. E. Herbert, who said the article published was a grave reflection on tho administrative staff. It was a very serious matter that statements should go out stating that the nurses of. the hospital were under-fed, resulting in sickness. There were no details published as to what went on in businesses outside. The hospital authorities had to look after the sick and the work must go on. She had paid visits to various places and she had found that the nurses in Christchurch were well treated in comparison with those in other institutions.

Mrs E. MeComba objected to putting the blame on the administrative staff, and she held that the Board was responsible. The speaker went on to refer to the rigidity of the tests regarding the health of nurses on admission to the hospital, and claimed that they should be maintained in the same state of health as on entry. One had spokeu to her and said: "Why do we lose enthusiasm ? When I came here I felt I could' go eyes' out day and night, but I cannot now." Mrs McCombs said that that nurse was an intelligent woman, and asked why Bhould the nurses flag. The speaker had tried to find out, but she could not do so. In her opinion the nurses had too much work to do, but they all said'after their training that there was too much work to do in the hours in which to do it. The nurses could not go out in the afternoons because they were too tired. Most of them worked eight-hour shifts, but in tho operating theatre they worked twelve hour shifts as against eight in the wards. Mrs McCombs doalt with the hours worked, but emphasised that very often the work did not cease at the schedule time. "Is it not possible that the girls feel the strain of all those hours, and is it not possible that they, being on call, are overworked?" she asked. "Can thero not be an enquiry into the position. Many do not -leave at the end of the course in the same state of health as when they came in, and the Board should know why."

Mr L. B. Evans said he had seen young women coming away from the hospital,' and they looked particularly healthy. He lived near a place where young girls worked and they cannot — Mrs McCombs (interrupting): That's a npisy factory. Mr Evans: I have not named any place. Mr Carr said he would not vote on Mr Holland's motion, which he regarded as unfair. The Board had confidence in the administration, but there was no reason why it' should not be open to criticism. When the vote on the question was put, Mrs McCombs left the room, and it was carried, Mr Carr not voting.