THE VOLUNTARY NURSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4001, 6 August 1915, Page 3

THE VOLUNTARY NURSES.

AN INTERESTIN'*? CORRESPONDENCE. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent A 0 OK LAND, Aug. 5. The movement in favor of establishing an organisation of voluntary nursing sisters has aroused some controversy' and lias recently, formed the subject'of interesting correspondence between the Trained Nurses’ Association and the Minister for Public Health. ]n a letter to the Minister from Miss J. M. Jones, bon. secretary of the New Zealand [rained Nurses’ Association, the writer says: ‘•'There are many untrained nurses in New Zealand who are unite filling when failed upon to give their services and, should the -Government find it impossible to pay the fees they are entitled to, they will no doubt endeavor to meet in a patriotic spirit- any sacrifice- that may be demanded of them. Tli at a body of untrained women should style* themselves ‘Voluntary Nursing Sisters’ and request patients to address'them as ‘sisters’ or 'nurses' when on duty, we think very misleading and likely to cause endless confusion. Yvliv*should not the untrained take up tire cooking and domestic duties in our hospitals and he known as*voluntary helpers, receiving tnanks and appreciation for their much-need-ed work without invading the ranks o'* trained nurses? .. The registration ot nurses pertaining first in New Zealand gained us the approbation, of our co't leagues the .world over and wo feel we have a, right to safeguard out privileges. Vvc do not in any way wish, to* detract from the usefulness ot the voluntary workers.”. The Minister has replied to _ M.i»» Jones as follows: —-‘‘I am well awate of the association that has been formed in Christchurch to provide, assistance to our nurses—not, as .you say, to provide unskilled nursing. The members of this association arc merely washing and cooking and helping the nurses in anv way they are able —ditch as looking after their linen, typewriting, etc. Plea so do not think they are. doing the nursing. "Wo Jiavo twenty-nine trained nurses at Trentham and the others arc assisting them in the manner I have mentioned and their services are much appreciated by both the nurses and the Department. The understanding is that they are to bo regarded as probationers,” not ad nurses or as nursing sisters. I unite understand that there is some feeling amongst the registered j nurses with.regard to them, but thisiis® altogether due to a misunderstanding.| If there is anv further information P can supply, please communicate with me.”