EXTENDING HOSPITAL BENEFITS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 209, 25 August 1908, Page 4

EXTENDING HOSPITAL BENEFITS.

rnorasjfiD new departure. At the Hospital Board meeting \vi••• terday the chairman, Mr. F. Bcllrinj-er. stated that he had had a conversation ' with Dr. Valiutine, Inspeetor-tieneral of Hospitals, concerning the institution •]' a system of district nurses, which would ensure the benefits of the liospital being more widely distributed than under the present system. The idea was that experienced nurses should be obtained by the Board and stationed at convenient country centres, so that they could at--1 tend in maternity cases, minor accidents, and so on. It would be necessary, of course, tlia ; t the Board should guarantee the aurses' salaries, and reasonable fees •should be charged for their services. The suggestion that this Board should undertake the system was warmly supported by the members, the representatives of the country constituencies being .very enthusiastic. They pointed out' ! that at present it was very dillicult to ■secure nurses, trained or untrained, in ithe country districts, and they felt sure ■that the settlers would accord this movement vwy practical support, welcoming it as an instance of the willing- ' ness of the Board to assist the ra J.epayer.s in their troubles. They were ■quite sure'that there would be lit tle or no trouble in arranging for the settlers •of the different localities to provide a nurse's residence. The centres suggested are Hahotu, Uruti, and Jnglewood, 'and Dr. Valintine and Mr. Bellringer 'will shortly call a meeting of settlers to discuss the project. One consideration that should appeal to the settlers is that bv the presence of the eerti■licated nurse they would very frequently lie saved the expense of obtaining a doctor from a distance, with the heavy mileage rates. A capable woman would be able to take charge of minor cases, and in many other cases could lake lem•peratures and describe this and general symptoms over the telephone to a doctor, who would then prescribe treatment ami medicine without leaving his own Mirgerv. The. great dearth of nurses should make this humanitarian scheme very agreeable to the settlers in the country districts.