PERSONAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4809, 11 February 1925, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Sister K. M. Anesnne, acting matron at the Thames Hospital during the last three months, was appointed matron of .the institution at Monday’s meeting of the Hospital Board.

HOSPITAL WORK.

STEADY INCREASE AT

NEED FOR 7 EXTRA STAFF.

At Monday’s meeting of the Thames Hsopital Board a lengthy discussion arising out of the Matron’s monthly .report took - place.

Dealing with istaff matters, Mr J. W. Danby strongly championed the cause of the nurses, and suggested that extra staff should be .appointed forthwith. In support of his contention Mr Danby said that the institution was being run on too fine an average, and instanced cases showing that one nurse was in indifferent health and could not perform the maximum senvice, while there were several resignations and transfers pending. He said that only recently it had been necessary to obtain the services pf i sister from Auckland for temporary duty at a cost of between £2O and £3O to the board. Whilst he did not advocate ,the appointment of an additional sister, he considered it w.as necessary to add at least t.wo probationers to the staff forthwith. The nurses at the present time were working on an average ten hours daily, although nominally their hours should not exceed eight hours continuous duty. There was no extra staff to attend to isolated cases, .and the work was being shared by the nurses the best it could be arranged. While admitting that the board’s finances required to be carefully studied, the efficiency and convenience of the institution was on paramount importance, and the nurses deserved every consideration and assistance it was possible to give them.

In speaking of the growth of the institution during the last few years Mr Danby quoted figures showing that in the year 1922 792 patients were admitted ; in 1923, 752 ; and in 1924, 960. In 1922 30'6 operations were performed; in 1923, 356 ; while last year the number of operations increased to 463.

The chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) said that he agreed in the main with Mr Danby’s remarks, but he would point out that the staff could not be greatly increased without the board being faced with a huge cost for providing additional accommodation for nurses. He was of the opinion that at present there was an abnormal amount of sickness prevalent, and that a large decrease in the number of admissions would be shown as the year advanced, but he agreed that the large increase in the number of operations could not be accounted for; neither could the board be reasonably expected to make provision for a staff to cope witn a rush that was unforeseen. The chairman agreed that the duties of the nurses had been heavy, but with the return of some from sick leave and holiday leave the position should he appreciably relieved. He certainly did not favour engaging an additional sister at the present time, especially in view of the capable work that was being pel formed by the charge nurses. After further discussion Mr Danby moved that two probationers he appointed at once.

Mr A. R. Robinson seconded, and the motion w,as carried.