[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Your contributor has undoubtedly
stated a very strong case for reform, but I feel that he has missed a point which calls more urgently than any other for revision. I refer to night- duty.
A fortnight ago a nurse undergoing training at one of the best known London hospitals sat for an examination and failed. She had been on night duty for twelve consecutive weeks with only two nights off during the whole of that period, and had had to attend all lectures after twelve hours of night duty. In these circumstances, added to the fact that this nurse had to sit the examination about two hours after being all night on her ward, it would have been an amazing feat of endurance if she had passed.
Failure in this examination meant that unless the nurse obtained special dispensation she would be compelled to do an extra six months' training before being allowed to sit for her final examination. I understand that conditions in this hospital are no worse, and in some cases better, than thoie ruling in any of the big London hospitals.—Your obedient
servant, B. WF2vwss-GoRmAN;
19 Beeches Avenue, Carshalton. R.N.R.
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