NOT FAIR TO THE NURSES"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2576, 25 September 1915, Page 9

NOT FAIR TO THE NURSES"

FOEICE PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL. Referring to. the case; of a woman who was admitted to" the Wellington Hospital this week suffering from a selfinflicted wound iii the throat, tho Medical Superintendent (Dr. W. J: Barclay) reported to the board at Thursday's meeting that'.no one had been, sent by the police to watch the patient. "When tho patient is a woman," said Dr. Barclay, "the police will not I ' provide watchers, although these are necessary just as much as for'male patients. I wish to protest against, this' .arranged lnent. It is not fair to, ask",the nurses to be responsible for these patients brought in by the police.- The nurse is kept constantly at the patient's bedside; she ■ cannot leave even for a few moments without incurring risk, and her valuable time' should . not be utilised' in this way for the constant watching that can'be done equally well by untrained labour.. The polico should arrange to have at call the services of suitable women, two at least, who should be. sent to. "watch females who have attempted suicide, and in tho intervals of such -duties these women oould_ be employed in attending female lunatics being convoyed to. mental hospitals, in attending oh female prisoners,' or in other similar duties which belong to the police." •

As regards lunatic, patients, Dr. Barclay said: "I have a second" protest to make. There is too great delay in the removal of these-from hospital to tlie mental hospital. On an average takes three days to have an insane'patient removed, after a request has been sent: to the police to have the patient examined for lunacy.. During those three days, and the time is sometimes longer, the patient' may be noisy and violent, disturbing and frightening other patients. There . should be some means for expediting the removal of insane patients, with a mental hospital only a few miles away, an average of three days seems too long for the process of examination and .removal."

. Members of the board expressed sympathy .with the Medical Superintendent 'in the matter, and it was resolved to Hiake representations to the proper authorities, with a view to having the Hospital staff relieved of these unpleasant duties.