Nurse’s role changed

The nurse’s attitude toward her patient had deteriorated under modern medical science, Dr. Kevin Brennan, Chief Health Officer, said yesterday.

“Medical advances mean better treatment and better results, ” he said, “but the relationship between nurse and patient is much weaker than it was in the old, simple nursing days.

“Decent, proper, sympathetic bedside care docs more to rehabilitate a patient than high powered efficiency.

“Matrons and superintendents are not essential. What matters is the care and attention given by nurses, particularly by the juniors.”

Dr. Brennan was speaking at the graduation at Greenvale Sanatorium of 23 tuberculosis nurses’ assistants from Greenvale, Gresswell, and Heatherton Sanatoriums.

Many of the graduates were married women with grown-up families – Mrs. Garnet O’Neill, of Sherbrooke, is a widow, whose five children arc now “old enough to fend for themselves.”

Before her marriage she was a teacher; now she will nurse children with tuberculosis.

The new graduates will help to relieve Melbourne’s grave shortage of tuberculosis nurses and nurses’ assistants.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23179303