LONG HOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1943, Page 4

LONG HOURS

MASTERTON HOSPITAL NURSING STAFF BOARD EXPRESSES APPRECIATION OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA. A motion expressing appreciation of the long hours worked by the nursing staff of the Masterton Hospital as a result of the large number of patients in hospital was passed at today s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board. “It is a ridiculous motion. I call it stupid slobber,” observed Mr W. B. Martin. He said no matter where anyone worked there was always a time when they had to do extra work. Miss C. McKenny: “Hear, hear.” The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawlcy, said the nurses had foregone their days off on account of the rush of work. The medical superintendent, Dr. T. L. Parr, had reported that work had been heavy in all departments. Civilian admissions for the month reached a new high record of 199. The position was due to a localised epidemic of diphtheria with 43 admissions due to that disease. Accommodation was fully taxed.. The main bottleneck was the nursing staff. The laboratory service was heavily taxed by the checking up of contacts. The rapid subsidence of the outbreak was a tribute to the work of the Health Inspector and Health Nurse, backed up by the hospital laboratory service, without which the epidemic would probably have reached greater proportions. The matron, Miss H. D. Grant, stated that many of the staff had not had their days off duty but had willingly and cheerfully carried on with their work. Mrs S. Fletcher: “It is only courtesy. Courtesy never does any harm.” Mr Martin pointed out that others in the community were working iong hours.The motion was put to the board and carried.