TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1047, 18 November 1947, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL Sir,—-Having quite recently spoilt five months as a patient of the Opotiki hospital, may I be permitted, through the coioumns »of your valuable paper, to make some suggestions and comments. • Firstly I wish to thank most sincerely the doctors, all the staff, and the matron . for the kindness and consideration shown to me and all the patients. Sir, I venture to suggest that the Hospital Board is not doing enough to help the matron and stall are struggling along in the present inadequate long-term temporary hospital.

I wonder if the board realise how good “our little .mother of the sick’’ really is. Perhaps they, do not know that Matron Gillespie is very fortunate if she averages between four and five hours’ sleep nightly the year round. That apart from supervision of both the present hospital and isolation about If miles distant, that she is at times assistant theatre sister, relieving night nurse, washer woman, charwoman and last but not least almost full-time cook.

Sir, I have known the matron to walk to and from isolation (3 miles) at 4 a.m. daily for about a week in mid-winter to render some special service, rather than call out a taxi at such an early hour. It is not right or just that the matron should feel it necessary ,to do these things. I’m sure we ratepayers would be pleased if the board were to purchase a small car or light van for the use of the matron and staff.

I consider it the duty of the board to help the matron with the present acute staff shortage. Be-

lieve me Sir, no matron could possibly be more kind or considerate to her staff. It seems to me that what is lacking is the off-duty social facilities for the staff. Then again no nursing staff should be required to walk even on fine days the if miles to the nurses’ home after being- on their feet for practically 8 hours. I understand the nurses’ home possesses an unusable tennis court also a wireless set requiring repairs, i would suggest the board set up a small committee to enquire and do something in this matter encouraging our girls to stay here. Perhaps the members’ wives could help. I know Mr. Harrison very kindly takes our new arrivals round the country when opportunity offers (Good work Mr. Harirson !) Sir, it’s not only the low salary offered nurses compared to domestichelp that counts; in any case if the board so desired it could appeal to tiie Stabilisation Committee for permission to remedy this, but 1 think just a little appreciation from the board such as a complimntary ticket. to a visiting show or a dance sponsored by the board or some oth-

er such, small kindness would go a long way towards retention of our nursing staff. In conclusion I would appeal to the board to arrange with the PostOffice for the collection of morning mail instead of mail being posted when the porter goes to town at 4.30 p.m. 1 must also thank our Mayor, Mr. Johnson, for his regular Sunday visits to the hospital. 11. M. FIELD.