NEW HOSPITAL BLOCKS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 3

NEW HOSPITAL BLOCKS

Recruiting Drive For Nurses

To meet the ever-increasing demand for hospital accommodation in the »»elJington board’s area, a demand that has been acute for some time, two new buildings are expected to be opened in the New Year. They are the 210-bed block at the Wellington Hospital and the 400-bed block at Lower Hutt. 'Jo secure an adequate nursing staff, a recruiting drive is being conducted by tbe hospital The present nursing staff totals which includes trainees. To needs of the two new blocks an additional 300 personnel will be required—loo trained and 200 trainees— making a total nursing staff of approximately 1000. As part of the campaign to recruit ad ditional staff, the hospital board has. through the courtesy of the D.1.G., Lambton Quay, secured a striking window ui» play setting out some of the features ol nursing life. This display shows an operating theatre in which'a blood transfusion is being performed, a feature being the presence of the latest equipment used in anaesthesia and blood transfusion. , . , . What nursing means today is set out in a booklet on display in the D.I.G. window, and also available to those interested. It is explained that in the past nursing was concerned mainly W'ith the alleviation of symptoms, and the provision of comfort for the sick. . Gave rather than cure was the essential feature of the work. The advance of science, however, has increased the possibilities of cure, and bedside nursing has become much more complex. The doctor leaves a great deal of ' responsibility to the nurse, and counts her an indispensable partner in the satisfactory performance of his work.