NURSES' HOURS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 257, 25 July 1919, Page 8

NURSES' HOURS

QUESTION OF LEAVE

DISCUSSION BY HOSPITAL BOARD

The question of nurses' hours was dealt with in a letter from the matron of tin; Hospital, submitted to yesterday's meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

The letter stated that it was not correct to say that nurses and probation: ers were on duty seven days without leave. Those oil inoigmig duty were free from '> p.m. till bedtime at 10 p.m. Those on afternoon duty were free from G a.m. till 2 p.m. Night nurses were free from 3.30 p.m. till they went on duty at 10 p.m. The twenty-four hours were divided into three duties of eight hours each. The first duty, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., was eight hours, out of which there was. half an hour for breakfastami half ,n'n hour for dinner, with 10 or 15 minutes for morning ten. '' ho second duty was from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m., ami the third duty from 10 p.m. till G a.m., less meal hours. "Nurses are here for a period of three or four years,' , the letter continued, "and have no responsibilities or worries. These fall to the sisfcr of Hie ward. The nosition of u. sister ie more or less a permanent one, therefore she is likely to be on the stuff longer than a nurse. Sisters have the responsibilities and anxieties and _ worries attached to the care of pahenls, and of the training of nurses, etc., also i they work longer hours—9} hours daily, exclusive of meal times. When off duty, they return to take emergency opera-, tions, and frequently stay late in their anxiety over a seriously-ill patient; also, there are many reasons for a sister not getting off duty punctually, therefore the so-called 'pass day , is-given, thai, is, a sister is supposed to go off at 2.30 p.m. for the rest of tile day once o week, to make up a little of the extra time snent. on duty." Mr. W. J. Thompson said he was dissatisfied with the matron's letter. lie believed that the service should be madi as popular as possible, end he thought the nurses should have at least one clear day off duty in each fortnight. Hβ moved that the board agree to give the nurses I one day off duty in each 14 days. Mr. J. Glover seconded the motion. Sir. C. M. Luke thought it would be bolter to forward the letter to the Hospital Committee, recommending at the same time that provision be made for nurses to have one clear day in each fortnight. Perhaps it might be necessary to increase the. staff. Mr. J. Smith said that if the proposal were carried into effect it would mean a great increase in expense' and an augmentation of the staff. Before putting the proposition into operation he thought it would be wise for the medical superintendent to go into the matter and bring down a report. Possibly, as a result of his experience abroad, Dr. Woodhouse would be able to suggest some method of giving the .nursing staff more time off duty. Eventually, it was decided to adopt Mr. Luke's suggestion, and to refer the. matter to the Commit rte for consideration.