SHORTAGE OF NURSES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF NURSES.

■': . ♦ DISCUSSED BY HOSPITAL BOAED. Some discussion occurred at the meeting of the Hospital Board on Thursday on the probable causes of hospital nurses resigning in such numbers. Mr. F. T. Moore raised the question, and in tho course of the subsequent discussion he alleged,, in effect, that the causes prompting the nurses to leave were preventible, and not creditable to the control of the institution. Promotion was not given frequently enough to charge nurses, who had very arduous duties, and ho complained of the manner in which tho matron spoke to tho nurses. He proposed that a committee, consisting of tho cnairman Oil'. J. Trevor), Mr, J. Godber, and himself bo set up' to investigate the 'matter.

Other members, notably the chairman, challenged Mr. Moore's allegation regarding the matron, and lie with Messrs. Baldwin and M'Kcnzie suggested that the nurses left, for proper reasons—t'o marry, to go into private practice, or to tako more important posts ill other hospitals. It was eventually decided to set up tho committee as proposed by Mr. Moore. ; . " FIGHTING TUBERCULOSIS'. . Tho question, of improving tho present methods of dealing ivith consumptives was discussed by the Hospital Committee yesterday. Tho Inspector-General of Hospitals wrote drawing attention to seven resolutions carried at the - corference regarding tuberculosis held in Wellington recently, and he suggested that the hoard should consult the medical superintendent of the hospital and other • institutions (if any) as to what measures could lie put into operation forthwith regarding • tuberculosis. In view of the fact that members of the conference were unanimous as to tho part that education should take in ii campaign of this nature, he would suggest that tho board arrange with medical men to give lectures on. tlia subject in various parts of their district, lie need hardly add that should the board require his services, the District Health Oliiccr would be only too glad to attend a meeting of tho board and discuss the details of tho campaign under its several headings. It was eventually decided- that tho recommendations bo ! brought under tho notice of tho Government; that lis tho recommendations made by the conferenco would involve additional expense, tho board approach the Government to ascertain what monetary assistance would bo ottering, and also what clauses would bo made compulsory.