GRADE OF HOSPITAL

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 457, 15 June 1937, Page 4

GRADE OF HOSPITAL

STAFFING PROBLEM i Shortage Of Trainees | i The impending reduction in the i grading of the Stratford Public Hospital to a B grade training school for nurses and the probable effect on the staffing were discussed ' at to-day s meeting of the Stratfbrd Hospital Board. It was stated that at the present time there was a shortage of trainees offering and in order to attract applicants the Board decided to raise the salary for first and second year nurses. A motion by Mr N. H. Moss brought forward from a special meeting that after December 31 the training of nurses be discontinued at Stratford was withdrawn in the meantime. When it was mentioned that there were only three or four names on the waiting list of probationers, Mr G. P. Harkness said that there had been a good deal of discussion at meetings of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and he suggested that the secretary notify the provincial secretary of the shortage of applicants.

Mr Moss: They are objecting to the educational standard. Mr J. D. Law said that in the past I there had been splendid nurses who ! had had no secondary education. i Mr Moss: The trouble is that toi day is an age of examinations. I know ! men in legal work who can hold their ! own with qualified men but they can- ' not pass examinations. i In reply to Mr Law the Medical Sup- ■ erintendent. Dr. C. R. Lambert, said | the examinations for nurses were not I beyond girls with no secondary edu- ! cation. However it would be difficult ■ for them. i "There has been a lot of talk but I ' don’t think many have been turned i down,” said Mrs D. Shannon. “If a girl wanted to be a nurse she should take a correspondence course on leavj ing the primary school. I Mr Law suggested that an advertisement be put in the newspapers I stating that the Board was short of 1 trainees and would be prepared to ' receive applications. Closing Of School I Mr Moss: We have got to make it i known that the vacancies are for a B i grade training school. We have got to i decided on a definite policy, whether 1 we are to go on with the B school or [ close it down altogether. It seems to i me that the only people we will get ' will be those who are not able to get

into an A grade training hospital. Mr Moss then proceeded to move a resolution which he had put before a special meeting of the board that, as from December 31, the training school be discontinued, and that a paid staff be engaged. With a B grade school the hospital had to maintain five sisters, and he understood from the Matron that there was difficulty In vetting trained nurses. If the board decided to carry on with the school and could not got trainees, he was afraid that the board would find the hospital without a staff. Mr Law: There seems to be a great deal of coming and going, particularly during the last twelve months. I have wondered what the cause is. Is it that the general conditions are not satisfactory? Mr M. Gernhoefer said there seemed to be a shortage right throughout the Dominion. Mr Law: There seems to be sound logic behind Mr Moss’ argument, but I doubt whether it will get us out of our difficulties. Mr Moss: I take the view that if you pay the salary you will get the staff. Mr Harkness: Some nurses won’t come here because it is a small place, and there are not the facilities for enjoyment. The meeting adopted an amendment by Mr Law that the Board call for applications to be placed on the trainees waiting list for 1938 the list to close at the end of August, 1937, and that the salaries for first and second year probaioners be Increased by £lO to £52 and £75 respectively. Mr Moss withdrew his motion and remarked that if Mr Law’s plan did not succeed by the end of August his proposal could be again considered. Tile Chairman, Mr T. R. Anderson, Mr Moss and Mts Phillips were appointed a sub-commitee to confer with the Matron in regard to any adjustment of salaries of present trainees. Mrs Shannon thought that it should be made known that the hours and conditions at hospitals were now very much better than was the case a few years back. There was an erroneous impression that the staff had to work 12 hours a day.