Matron Milme

NZ Truth, Issue 1193, 11 October 1928, Page 6

Matron Milme

JUST eleven years ago, little Nurse Milme, of the Wellington Hospital, first tried on the pink uniform which showed that she had graduated from probationer ranks. Her first charge was the building frankly known as "the tin shed," m which diptheria patients were housed. Much water has flowed under the bridge since then and she is now, temporarily, acting matron and acting assistant-matron rolled into one, for the new matron hasn't yet arrived. and the new assistant matron has yet to be definitely appointed. : } "Nurse Millie"- — as she was called by the tots m the children's wardhas had almost. a year of responsibility as matron. She is very proud 6t her staff and on ■ excellent terms with the entire hospital; from 'patients to porters, but she has had her doubts about the feasibility of some "of the sweeping reforms advocated— and half -promised — by certain authorities. "The-day-a-week holiday' would /be wonderful for nurses," she said, "but unless ..we .get quarter extensions enough to enable us to accommodate a much larger staff, I just don't se6how we are going to. do it. It ;.is-\ entirely 7a matter of expense. If :the ratepayers will; give us more money, so that we can house more girls, the holiday will be welcomed 1 = '-by everyone; • But* with the present staff— well,: it 'is rather hard to, imagine," ,' ■' ;'; ; \ "■ ' :