NURSES’ CLOTHING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1942, Page 2

NURSES’ CLOTHING

PROVISION OF DRYING FACILITIES

SICKNESS AT MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

SIMILAR STATE OF AFFAIRS ELSEWHERE.

Reference to the drying facilities at the Masterton Hospital for nurses clothes was made at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board by Mrs S. Fletcher.

Mrs Fletcher said 35 nurses were ill last month and 13 were off duty today. She asked if something could be done to provide more drying facilities for the nurses’ clothing. “They are going on duty with damp stockings,” she said. She asked that the matter should receive urgent attention. The Matron had asked for another heater and it had been arranged to put it in before the earthquake occurred, but..this had not been done.

The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawlcy, said the medical superintendent, Dr. Parr, had blamed the congestion in the wards for the sickness among the nurses.

Mr J. F. Thompson pointed out that Greytown Hospital also had a large incidence of sickness. Was it suggested that Masterton Hospital alone, by some failure of the board or the responsible authorities, had a large amount of sickness among the nurses? He did not think so . He had heard of no complaints. “I have not heard of any,” said Mr Mawley. He thought the sickness was due mainly to the present general conditions.

The Managing-Secretary, Mr 'Norman Lee, stated that the reasons why the additional drying arrangements were not carried out following the earthquake would be apparent later in the meeting, when earthquake damage matters were being discussed.