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in general hospitals a recommendation was made suggesting
that a total nursing staff of fifty nurses was required for one
hundred patients, and pro rata. It is sometimes suggested that
this figure is unduly high, and reference is made to work which
was done by reduced staffs in previous years. There are a
number of causes which have contributed to the need for an
increase in the number of nurses in hospitals. For instance: —
1. The introduction of new and complicated techniques
in diagnosis and treatment.
2. The various changes designed to improve the working
conditions of the nursing staff, especially the reduction
in the hours of duty.
3. The introduction of new concepts in the training of
nurses, which require a higher standard of theoretical
knowledge, and a' consequent increase in the amount of
time spent in the classroom.
Even though it was impossible to open more wards during
ihe year, nevertheless, no ward was closed, and in this respect
it is believed that "Whipps Cross" escaped the fate of many
hospitals, where further beds were closed owing to shortage of
nursing staff.
During the early part of the year it became evident that the
existing Nurses' Home was only large enough to accommodate
the present staff, and it was felt that until a new Home or
Annexe could be provided it would be impossible to utilise all
the beds in the Hospital. A further difficulty experienced was
in connection with the Nurses' Dining Room, which proved to
be far too small. This problem was relieved by a decision to
use one of the empty wards as a Nurses' Dining Room.
DEVELOPMENT OF DEPARTMENTS. Reference was
made in the last report to the inadequate Physiotherapy and
Out-Patients' Departments. Apart from these, it was evident
that other Departments required extension, namely, the Pathological
Laboratory, X-Ray Department, and Dispensary. At the
same time, it was felt that separate accommodation should be
provided for the Preliminary Training School, and more suitable
offices found for the Medical Superintendent, Matron and
Almoner. In addition, a number of minor departments were
inadequately housed. It was apparent that some of the wards
would remain empty for some considerable time, owing to the
lack of sufficient nursing staff, and, in view of this, it was
decided to take over six of the empty wards to house some of
the aforementioned departments, as follows: —
1. C.2 Ward to be adapted for use as a Nurses' Dining
Room.
2. Part of A.2 Ward had already been set aside for use as
a superficial X-ray therapy plant; the remainder of the
ward to be reserved for use as an X-day Department.
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