NURSING TRAINING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 5

NURSING TRAINING

WAGES FOR PROBATIONERS QUESTION UNDER REVIEW (From Oub Parliamentary Kerorteri WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. , “The whole question of allowances is being reviewed.” said the Minister of Health (Mr H. T. Armstrong) when replying in the House to-day to an urgent question asked by Mr \\. M. C. Denham (Govt, Invercargill) concerning the wages of probationary nurses at St. Helens hospitals. Mr_ Denham drew the attention of the Minister to a recent published report that such nurses received wages of £26 a year and asked if he would take immediate •steps to increase the amount. “When St. Helens hospitals were established, it was the practice to charge trainees a premium for the training given them in maternity work,” Mr Armstrong said. Later, the charging of a premium was abandoned, and trainees were given free board and lodging but no salary was paid. These arrangements were continued until 1936. when the Government decided to follow the system which had become general among hospital boards of paying a small allowance to all trainees. As from October 1, 1936. the Government had paid trainees in St, Helens hospitals at the rate of £25 a year, and. in addition, has continued to supply to them free board 'and lodging. It is recognised that the introduction < of the social security tax and, later, the national security tax, has substantially reduced the amount paid.”