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119
Estimated additional annual cost of a 48 hours' week for
Nurses at the Maternity Hospital.
£
1 Sister at £85—£100 85
2 Staff Nurses at £70—£80 140
5 Pupil Midwives at £24 (+£16 for fees) 200
425
Living-out allowance—8 nurses at £60 480
Meals, uniform, etc., while on duty—8 nurses at £26 208
Council's Superannuation Contribution and State Insurance 37
Total £1,150
Other Considerations at the Maternity Hospital.
It should be observed that the addition of 8 nurses to the Maternity Hospital would involve
consideration of accommodation for changing and other matters in respect of the staff generally at the
Hospital but I have not gone into this matter particularly at the present time having regard to possible
developments in connection with this Hospital.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
February 24th, 1937.
APPENDIX J.
Health Department.
Laboratory Technician.
(1) The work undertaken includes the following:—
(a) The preparation of culture media;
(b) The dispensing of chemical re-agents and stains;
(c) The culture and isolation of organisms;
(d) The preparation of bacteriological films, agglutination tests, etc.;
(e) The chemical analysis of various fluids;
(f) The bacteriological examination of water.
(2) When the post was first instituted, the Council decided that a suitable boy should be obtained
from a local Secondary School and trained, and that the appointment be held temporarily for not less
than one year. The minimum qualification required is that he should have passed the Matriculation
Examination, Chemistry being one of the subjects. Matriculation Chemistry does not cover all the
chemical knowledge required, but assuming that the boy is studying for the Inter B.Sc., this course
would prove sufficient.
(3) The first assistant held the post for two years, and it was then decided that the appointment
be for a minimum period of 18 months and a maximum period of two years, and that four months'
notice of termination of the appointment be required. This assistant left the service of the Council
to do laboratory work at Heinz factory.
(4) The second assistant appointed was granted permission to retain the post at the expiration
of two years as he was studying for the Degree of Bachelor of Science, which Degree he subsequently
obtained.
(5) Experience has shown that the present terms of appointment are unsatisfactory for the
following reasons:—
(a) The frequent changing of the Assistant is very upsetting to the work, and not conducive
to the smooth working of the laboratory and the hospital;
(b) The four months' notice of termination of appointment is too long a period to be required,
as it is a great handicap on the Assistant obtaining another post. Most local authorities
or commercial firms will not wait longer than one month;
(c) Mr. Burman has been looking out for a post for nearly six months without, so far, any
success. The chief difficulty is due to the fact that his experience gained in the laboratory
is not of the same nature as his degree subjects. For most good bacteriological
posts the certificate of the Laboratory Assistants' Association is required. Candidates
for this must be at least 22 years of age. Under the present arrangement, a boy
appointed from school could not sit for this examination within two years, but if the
post were made available for a longer period and at a more attractive progressive salary,
the possession of a degree as well as this certificate would be a great help towards obtaining
a good post.