RESIGNATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 966, 5 November 1910, Page 3

RESIGNATIONS.

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL TROUBLE. COMPLAINTS BY NURSES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, November 4. Miss Fra-ser, matron of tho Dunedin Hospital, has sent her resignation to the chairman of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and has asked to be relieved of her duties at once." The cook at the hospital also resigned and asked to be relieved of duty at the end of the month. It is understood that both resignations are duo to the publication of an article in the "Daily Times" concerning complaints by nurses regarding the food and work. At a meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board last night Miss Fraser asked for an investigation regarding the allegations made. # A special meeting of tho board will bo held to-morrow to consider tho position. A letter signed by 14 sisters and head nurses has been sent to the secretary of the board stating that the allegations were mad© without their knowledge or consent, and asking Miss Fraser to reconsider her decision to resign. THE GRIEVANCES. AND COMMENTS BY THE MATRON. A recent Press telegram stated: — Of late complaints have been made with regard to . the conditions wider which the nurses in Dunedin Hospital have to work, and the grievances nave been put into concrete shape in the form of a letter to the "Otago Daily Times.'' In tho course of tne letter the writer says:—"At present no fewer than seven nurses are off duty, some of them being dangerously ill. Indeed for some it is feared that nursing days are done. This is a fearfuly' high percentage of the number engaged, sixty, I think, and others are bravely holding on who are far from well. More than 50 per cent, are compelled to take medicine to help them through. 'Indigestion plays havoc with tliem. The key .lies in the rusli and hurry of their life, the short time they havo for meals and the food, which, instead of being tempting and appetising, is oftener than not nauseating owiii" to 'rawness and insipidity. The hospital nurse is not mallcablo cast iron, yet if any of her-relations, are dying she may be unable to obtain leave to bid them a last farewell. I know of three cases where this, happened not so long ago. Hitherto nurses going from the Dunedin Hospital to the fever hospital were' ,pa-id £1 per week. Now the board has resolved that they shall, while at tho fever hospital, be paid tho same rate as in Dunedin Hospital, viz., 10s. Tho nurses come from Wanganui, Tapanui, BaJclut-ha, Christchurch, and. various other parts. On leaving the fever hospital a nurse must have , two clear weeks before she can return to the general hospital. If her home be im any distant locality .what will become of her if sho happens to bo in indifferent financial circumstances?"

A nurse, wEen seen by a reporter, said that about six weeks ago they had drawn up a complaint with regard to food and other things, and handed it to the authorities, but so far had not been given satisfaction, although one or two little things had been more or less remedied. The diet was monotonous and not nicely served, and when there was so much sickness amongst the nurses surely some attention should be given to tho subject by tlie authorities.

' The present scale of diet was given .by Miss Fraser,- hospital • matron, as follows:—Each morning there is. porridge. and milk, cup of tea and bread and butter before going on duty.' For breakfast tliere is chop or sausage, trips Or meats, bacon and eggs onco a week. For dinner two kinds of vegetables and always milk pudding, steamed pudding, or apple pie, Junket, stowed fruit, or rice. Soup is provided three times a wee.;, and roast beef and roast mutton alternately, with stew or pie occasionally. For tea,-, bread and butter and jam three times a week, and cooked meats and salad. She considered the cooks produced a result which was, on the whole, very good. Mr. Walker, chairman of the.Hospital Board, informed a reporter that he and two other members paid a surprise visit to tho Nurses' Home recently. He was not altogether satisfied with the food. A now scale of diet was being drawn up, and would be considered by the board. It was hoped to improve the arrangements for cooking and serving food. Mr. Walker said that service at the fever hospital was part of the nurses duty, hence.no -extra payment was now made.

, The matron expressed the opinion nat the complaints were much exaggerated. In all hospitals somo nurses were off duty, and sho thought the sicknoss might bo due to change of season as much as anything. _ The matron maintained that the majority of the sick nurses were suffering from pneumonia, pleurisy, etc., not from indigestion. After leaving the fever hospital nurses were always allowed a weeks leave as a precaution,, and, where possible, annual holidays were, uuedj so as t-o give a good spell.