LACK OF NURSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10606, 3 June 1920, Page 3

LACK OF NURSES

CLASSIFICATION OF SALARIES,

The difficulty experienced by soma hospital boards in scouring the services of nurses was brought to the notico i\t the Hospital Board’s conferenco yesterday by the following rosolution, which was moved by a delegate from Inangahua: ‘‘lhat the do partment be asked to classify tho salaries of matrons, nurses, and probationers throughout the Dominion so that each hospital board would understand the position with respect to such' salaries; and, as tho West Coast climate is not as favourable as most parts of New Zealand, and on account of the difficulty of obtaining nurses sind probationers, that 10 pei cent, be added to tho classification. ’ Tho mover said it was difficult to secure the services of nurses m his district on account of its isolation, and his board was of opinion that a uniform rate of salaries would- largely assist m overcoming tho difficulty. Dr. Yalintino said that there was nothing to prevent boards from increasing tho salaries. , ' A delegate from Christchurch said that his board believed in paying a remunerative salary for services rendered, but it was his opinion that a uniform rate should be decided upon for tho four largo centres. When adjusting salaries they should consider tho value of such services outside tho hospitals. Tho motion was lost, as were two others (from Thames and Taranaki respectively) dealing with tho samo subject. , . . At the suggestion of the chairman, tho secretaries to tho four principal hospitals are to confer this morning with the object of arriving at a basis of uniform salaries.