DOMESTIC STAFF SHORTAGE SERIOUS

Chronicle (Levin), 3 May 1946, Page 7

DOMESTIC STAFF SHORTAGE SERIOUS

! HOSPITAL MAY IIAVE TO CLOSE SOME WARDS. ' "The prcsent posi l ion caiinot be ! tuai nl aincil indeJi.nilely, and it miglil jucll be thal we w i l i liave to elose dow n ■iomc oi' tlie wards unloss tliorc is a | ai;i rkcd iiiiprovouicnt in the near j I'nl tirc, '' declared Ihe medical superin j.'endeiil (Mr. J. Jl. Xortli) at a nieeting jol' Ihe Palmerston Xortli Hospital j P.oanl yeslerday when eounnenting on Mlte at-ute shortage of domestie labour jal ihe ^iislilutiou. Mr. Xortli said lie I » as verv concerned about the standard of services in the wards consequent upon the shortage of domestie- stal'f. The questioii of providing accommodation for domestie staff was raised and Mr. G. A. Moiik mpved tliat a sinai I sub-eouiniittee ermsisting of the chainnan (Mr. .T. A. Xasli), the'inanag-ing-serretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) and !he niediea! superintendent sliould invcstigate the position and bring down a report on ni'eaus of lindiug an interiin j solution of the acconimodaton problem. iSeconding the motion, Mr. A. J. j (fimblett said he thought verv little | progress would be niado in finding ade | quate domestie stafl:' until their status ! as workors was eonsiderably raised. The motion was earried. In the eourse of his ann.ual report.; Mr. Xorth stated: — ""During the year : cousiderable diffieuhies in staffing the i various departments of the hospital j liave been encountered and it is a mai- j ter for eongratulation tha^the hospital ' (bas been able t.o. carry on ett'ectively

i willioul redui-iiig or eurtailing ajiy of i!s essenlial services. The medical sialf iias carrieil on elfectively with teduced .p.orsonnel during tlie war years. Some addiliojial appoinljaents uere made in ihe Jal ter part of ihe year, aud tlie provision of soJiie furllier a])])oint meiils is being made for llie comiiig year, "The nursing stalf has been eltee lively umiiitaiiied allliougli tliere has been shortage of Irained stalT, aud i parlicularly of maternity aud midvvifery traijted nurses. The nursing slalf has assisted verv materially in the generaJ staff shortage and have undertaken extra duties at all times (dieerfully. The staffing of the various speeial departments and tlie admiustrative offiees has beeu verv diffieult, and various members of tlie stafT liave worked long hours to overcome statfshortage. T.atterlv the shortage of do mestic staff, hlundry staff etc., has been acute, and adcquate serviee to the wards and nurses' home has not been possible. Tt is hopbd that with the more normal times this positiqn will be remedied. T would lihe here to exprcss niv appreeiation of the loval eooperation of all inCmliers of the hospital staff whieh has enabled the hospital to maiiitain its full services througlrout a dillicult year."