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52
This should provide sufficient accommodation for some
time to come, until the population has again greatly increased.
The extension enables a fresh start to be made,
as previously to this being opened it was very difficult to
efficiently carry on the work of the Hospital. In carrying
out the extension the Committee dccided not to include increased
laundry accommodation. This matter requires the
consideration of the Council, as the difficulty in dealing with
the clothes is already great, and will grow greater. The
summer, obviously, is the best time for dealing with this
matter. On examining the returns it will be seen that the total
number of patients in the hospital on the 1st January, 1910,
is greater than on the 1st January, 1909, although the total
number admitted during the year is considerably less. As
remarked in another portion of this report, we appear to be
on a receding wave of Scarlet Fever prevalence, and therefore
the Hospital feels the benefit of this recession.
NURSING.
At the present time the nursing staff at the Hospital
consists of the Matron, Assistant Matron, 3 Sisters, 4 Staff
Nurses, and 10 Probationers.
The probationers now join for two years, and are given
a series of lectures by the Matron and myself, with a written
examination at the end. Thus they are given an opportunity
of learning the theory of fever nursing, as well as the
practice.
Since the formation of the Fever Nurses' Association
this Isolation Hospital has joined, and is recognised as a
training school. It will necessitate still further effort and
labour on the part of the staff, but it should give an improved
status to the Nurses, and so assist in securing a
supply of suitable candidates for any vacancies that may
occur.