Taumarunui Nursing School may re-open

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 14, 1 September 1987, Page 2

Taumarunui Nursing School may re-open

The desperate shortage of nurses and- midwives at Taumarunui Hospital may lead to the School of Nursing being reopened. At last week's Hospital Board meeting members discussed a letter from chief nurse John McMillan to the acting assistant secretary of the Department of Health's workforce development group, Miss Sally Shaw. While the letter was a personal one expressing Mr McMillan's serious concern at the present and future staffing needs of Taumarunui Hospital, Board chairman Mr David Kydd said he had brought it onto the agenda because of the seriousness of the situation. The school was closed two months ago when the last intake of registered nurses graduated. At that time the New Zealand Nurses Association assured the hospital that they would not have any problems recruiting staff once training became polytechnic based. However, in his letter, Mr McMillan told Miss Shaw that the hospital "desperately" needs six registered nurses, two midwives and four enrolled nurses. Despite an extensive advertising campaign there have been only three enquiries from enrolled nurses and nothing from registered nurses or midwives. "As a result, some board members and executives are beginning to seriously question the wisdom of previous decisions over Jthe closing of our School for General Obstetric nurses."

While personally committed to the concept of transferring nursing education to the education system Mr McMillan said he is also totally committed to providing Taumarunui Hospital with staff. "In this matter the present method of training nurses is not proving to be

any use to us". The two comprehensive nurses presently employed at the hospital are here due to their husband's employment and will leave when their husbands transfer on. He said in the 13 years of the Polytechnic programme, Taumarunui has had four comprehensive graduates.