Staffing At Country Hospitals “Critical”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 9

Staffing At Country Hospitals “Critical”

“The position is not serious—it is critical in some country hospitals/’ said Dr. L. McH. Berry, medical superintendent*inchief to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, renewing his plea yesterday for more nurses in country hospitals.

The board’s institutions committee re - ported that although two sisters had been appointed to Rangiora, one to Kaikoura and one to Lincoln, four others had resignedone each from Akaroa, Lincoln, Waikari and Rangiora hospitals. “In view of the present difficulty of staffing country hospitals," said the committee, “the Matron-in-Ohief has pointed out that it is imperative that some relief be obtained for the Matron of Cheviot Hospital, w>ho is carrying the complete burden of this hospital without assistance.”

The committee said the whole position there would be discussed with the local doctor.

Dr. Berry said that if country hospitals were to operate at maximum efficiency nurses living in country areas would have to be attracted to work in them as full-time employees. Mr V. J. Corbett said the people of Cheviot were doing their best to see that the Cheviot Hospital was given some relief. There seemed to be an inconsistency in Dr. Berry’s earlier statements that on the one hand the

lack of work at country hospitals made it hard to attract nurses, and on the other country hospital staff were overworked. Dr. Berry replied that while relief helped the situa-

tion, it was full-time staff that was needed. Some hospitals were very quiet, but they still had to be staffed 24 hours a day. Others were busy and some nurses were working themselves into the ground. “They do need relief," said Dr. Berry. “It takes at least two trained staff to run them, and the matron has to be on call ail the time. We need relief for her to get away from the place." Dr. L. C. L. Averill, the board’s chairman, said letters had been sent to residents of the Cheviot district asking for temporary help and especially for trained nurses to take permanent positions at the hospital.