STAFF SHORTAGE IN HOSPITALS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24913, 28 June 1946, Page 2

STAFF SHORTAGE IN HOSPITALS

REASONS SUGGESTED

The staffing position in our hospitals and institutions could not be worse; it is deplorable,” said Mrs W. S. Bean at the annual meeting of the women’s branch of the Citizens’ Association yesterday. The hospitals were very short of both nursing and domestic staff. Nursing aids are urgently required. Living conditions at the hospitals are good, but the girls are not coming forward. “Perhaps this is because there is so much in industry that we cannot compete with,” added Mrs Bean.

Miss Mary McLean, supporting Mrs Bean’s statement, said: “We have plenty of money to buy what we want, but we cannot buy service for our sick people.” , The president (Mrs G. H. Watts) outlined the work being done by the Friends of the Hospital. Thirteen of these women were engaged in domestic work at the hospital, she said, and a large band of workers went to the hospital one evening each week to do sewing and mending. Other Friends of the Hospital would be willing to do domestic work at the hospital, but they were not willing to join a union, said Mrs Watts. This was essential before they could be engaged at the hospital. Mrs Watts urged that higher hourly wages b? paid to hospital workers. She also suggested that more girls would be willing to take up domestic work at hospitals if there were not such a great distinction made between nurses and such workers.