Annual report of the Whitchurch and Ely Hospital Management Committee : 1948/49.

  • Whitchurch and Ely Hospital Management Committee.
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Whitchurch and Ely Hospital Management Committee : 1948/49. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/48 page 46
    On the 31st May, 1949, Deputy Charge Nurse Sidney Way retired afte 35 years’ service, and on the 31st July, 1949, Ward Sister May Way retired after 32 years’ service. We are still experiencing a shortage of trained nursing staff, and without the employment of ward orderlies on both male and female sides the hospital could not be maintained. These are employed on both full and part-time duties and are of great assistance. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the manner in which all nursing staff, and other staff who work with mental patients, have performed their duties, and to commend their unfailing patience and enthusiasm for work which is at once so arduous, so trying and so unproductive of appreciable results ; where it can be hoped only to improve —never to cure. , Of the unqualified nursing staff, all have had previous experience in other mental hospitals and institutions. Some have a record of 20 years’ service and more at this hospital. They entered the service when the hours worked were 56 a week and the average remuneration was £50 per annum and emoluments for women, and £3 12s. Od. for men per week. Also in their day financial aid for the training of students had not been introduced. It is doubtful if we shall again see so much work performed for such meagre reward. These older members of the staff are gradually retiring and leaving the service to which they have devoted a life-time. The practical experience gained from their work with the mentally afflicted patients in their care is a qualification which can be gained in no other way and is an asset to the hospital. I am grateful to the heads and staffs of all the departments for their co-operation during the year; the Maintenance, Kitchen and Laundry staffs, to whom fall all the difficulties occasioned by post-war stringency and present- day economies. No praise can be too high for the administrative staff ; it is to their credit that, without being augmented, they have successfully coped with the changes necessary in the new regime. However, the time cannot be too far distant when additional staff will have to be employed to carry out the increased clerical work involved. In conclusion I wish to express my own appreciation and that of all the members of my staff concerned for the ready co-operation afforded to us at all times by the Secretary and Staff of the Whitchurch Hospital, with whom we now form Group 16. Finally, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to thank you for your support during the year past. I remain, Your obedient Servant, E. MERVYN JONES, Medical Superintendent Ely Hospital, Ely, Cardiff.
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