LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

TRENTHAM BASE HOSPITAL. Sir,—ln view of the fact that an appeal is being made to the public for funds for the proposed Base Hospital at 'i'rentliam, might I ask, per medium of your columns, one question, and also mako some suggestions? In perusing what has been published ro the hospital, 1 find there are to be doctors and orderlies attached to tho Bta(f, but cannot see auy definite_ statement as to trained nurses. Is it possible that a Base Hospital, which, according to Dr. Purdy, is to give evidence of its usefulness when our sick and wounded return, is not to include this very necessary part of tlio staff of a hospital? It is possibhvthat I have overlooked some of tlio information puklished—other members of tho public may _ have done likewise—therefore a definite statement from tho authorities would be of value. The inclusion of an adequate staff of trained nurses scem3 to bo one of the most important matters in connection with the scheme. Orderlies, if they chance to be members of the St. John Ambulance Division, may have had some training in the rendering of first aid, but only the female members of the division are required to undergo a course of instruction in homo nursing; consequently, the orderlies come to their work, however willing, without preliminary training in attendance upon' the sick, which fact cannot fail to bo prejudicial 'to the welfare of the latter. While a member of St. John Ambulance Division, 1 am holding no brief for that body in penning these few lines. .1 think that tho nurses to whom our sick soldiers are entrusted should be carefully trained and certificated hospital nurses. In -the event, however, of this course not being adopted, then I feel sure that a willing and useful band of voluntary workers from the St. John Ambulance Nursing Division would be only too glad to volunteer, find would be of' considerable service. I may add that I have obtained some insight into the need of hospital facilities from sick men of. the First Reinforcements, all of whom have now left New Zealand, and I, feel sure that the hospital is very urgently needed. But I feel equally sure that the public, in. subscribing to -this necessary institution, should use its utmost efforts to secure from the authorities an assurance that a body of the •. ery best trained nurses will.be obtained, to secure for the men who are offering their lives for the Empire the utmost care and skill available. I have not overlooked the fact that it is proposed to still continue to treat the. serious cases in Wellington Hospital, but many cases which are at first not serious may very speedily become so for lack of skilled observation and treatment, and we cannot surely expect that the doctors stationed in camp will be prepared to act.as sick nurses in constant attendance upon the patients, I need hardly apologise for trespassing upon ypur space. The importance of the matter at stake entitles it to thorough consideration and discussion. —I am, etc.. LEO.