The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1902. THE NURSES' HOME QUESTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11704, 4 August 1902, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1902. THE NURSES' HOME QUESTION.

As Avill be seen in our advertising columns, the Mayor, in response to a numerously and influcntiailly signed; requisition of the ratepayers, has convened a public meeting to consider the kind of home to be provided for our Hospital nurses. There are two rival schemes. One is to build a home on, tirely detached from the , Hospital wards ; the other to add another block to the oxistiing Hospital an,d: adopt- the system of "cubicles," or, in other words, to T>uild <\ large ward and partition it off into small, partially isolated bedrooms. Mrs. William json:, a member of the Hospital Board, has been at considerable trouble to obtain the opinions of those who may justly be considered experts from all parts of the colony, and there is an unanimous consensus of opinion that, apart from: the question oLeconomy, the separate home is by far the more desirable. The Board have, however, by a large majority decided to adopt the cheaper,, bulb less satisfactory, scheme, for financial reasons. Happily, it is not too late to reconsider the question, and if it can be shown that the better, though more ex pensive pjan iis practicable, we have little doubt that the resolution already carried will be rescinded. The Hospital Board, as trustees for the ratepayers, are to be commended for a careful and judicious economy of the rates ait their• disposal, but if of two rival schemes1 one is almost universally-«d-mitted to be, by those best qualified to judge, far superiorto> the'other, the Boav-I may well pause before embarking on a policy which the near future may demonstrate to be open to many objections. There is r.o getting away from the fact that the existing accommodation for the.nunses is as inadequate arc jit is out of date. The opening of the new Victoria Ward for the reception of .patient® will render the appointment :1 additional nurses imperative, so that provision for their accommodationi is & matter re quiring immediate attention. In, providing a Nurses' Home the health1, happiness, and general well being of the inmates should be the foremost consideration. To .sacrifice such important points toi a spirit of rigid economy will, we feel sure, Le strongly condemned by public opinion. The life of a hospital nurse is often a vciy arduous one. Patients may b& for days hovering on the brink of the grave. Without watchful care by night and by day death will claim his victim. One such case imposes a severe strain on mind and body, but '-t sometimes happens that several patients may be in a condition to cause grave anxiety, and to a conscientious nurse thei'e s a sense of responsibility which is harder to battle with than bodily fatigue. If a nurse is to do herself and her work justice, every possible care should be taken of her health. Plenty of fresh air and as muoh change of .scene as possible are most necessary. The patients:, too, get the benefit >f any freshness the nurse gathers up in her recreation time, for it enables her to to be the brighter to them when she goes back on duty. Hospital work is very absorbing, :<nd it is not at all good for nurses to get tlu-ii' views narrowed by taking no interest '11 other things. To spend the time when off duty entirely in Hospital surroundings is lo deprive recreation, in the .strict meaning of the wor4 of its chief value. There is more recreation to be bad in going into fresh .scenes, and in mixing with those whose interests lie somewhat oufrside of Hospital work than when living in a. con- ! tmuail atmosphere of disease and pain. We hope that this question of a home for our nurses will be discussed at the. meeting tonight in a calm, judicial spirit, and without the importation of hoat ov personal feeling. The ultimate decision will rest with tlio Hospital Board, and although the public' may strongly disapprove of the course they have at present decided upon, they are ontitled to be credited with a desire to administer the duties entrusted to them fearlessly andi honestly. The members of tins Hospital Board have, perhaps, given mnhiu consideration to the financial aspect of tho question, but we cannot think t*b,at ; v any difficulty of this kind is insuperable. The

Hospital is, for its size, one of the best appointed in the colony, ranking the fiftdi -in the magnitude and importance of its work. Those who contribute in so large a me.i, sure to its efficiency ought nob to be housed like school children in cubicles, but have a bright, cheerful home in which to enjoy themselves without restraint when off duty.