AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 271, 13 May 1912, Page 5

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

THE MATRON'S CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Saturday. The trouble in the Auckland Hospital between the matron and the medical and nursing staffs is to be enquired into by a committe on Monday. The medi-. cal staff has formulated complaints to which the matron lias submitted replies. The medical ,«taff allege that the matron does not commence work till 10 a.m. The matron replies that she hegins at CIS a.m. and finishes at 11 p.m. The next charge is one of insolence and impertinence to superiors, three cases being cited,, the first of which is that the matron satirically replied: "It is really very nice of you to take such an interest in nurses." The matron Teplicd fully to each charge, denying any intention of satire or insolence. She adds that there is nothing in the by-laws to indicate that the medical staff are her superiors. A further charge is that a charwoman was left in charge of two cases in the scarlet fever ward. The matron replies that the case was one in which the maid was left in charge of two children who lmd been convalescent a month, while the nurse was out, instructions being given that the sister in the adjoining ward was to be summoned if necessary. The placing of probationers in charge of gonorrtioeal and opthalmic cases is another accusation. The matron replies that when she joined the institution she found juniors in charge of a tetanus case. She was informed by the assistant superintendent 'that it was customary to place special cases in charge of juniors under the supervision of a ward sister. This was always done under the supervision of a sister. In conclusion, the matron says she did not believe that the hoard desired her to be at the beck and call of the honorary staff.