NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Mary LEAN

Recorded: 3 JUL 2013 File: 1 of 2 Interviewer: Margaret Horsburgh Abstracter: Margaret Horsburgh Equipment type: Fostex FR- 2LE Digital Recorder

1. Mary Lean, March 16, 2103, Rotorua Daily Post 2. Mary Lean, QSM, Woolf Photography 2005

Photo 1 Photo 2

000'05" INTRODUCTION TO FILE 1

000'34" GROWING UP Grew up in WAERENGA, nine miles out of TE KAUWHATA. Father a dry stock farmer. One sister. Father had been wounded in WW1, older when married, mother eighteen years younger, a school teacher before marriage. Describes.

001'33" CAREER DECISIONS Few careers available for girls, teaching or nursing. Mother keen for daughters to be teachers. Sister trained as a PHARMACIST. Mary wanted to be a VET [VETERINARY], father 'not keen', chose nursing instead. Describes.

002'35" SCHOOLING Attended WAERENGA PRIMARY SCHOOL and boarded at EPSOM GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AUCKLAND for secondary education. Of mother's three sisters, two had been to EPSOM GIRLS' GRAMMAR. Private boarded for first year, then lived in hostel. Four years secondary education. 'Did just enough academically ... did a lot of sport.' Achieved SCHOOL CERTIFICATE. Subjects included GEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY. Describes.

005'02" DECISION TO BE A NURSE Aunt was a NURSING SISTER at GREEN LANE HOSPITAL, she had four nieces, wanted them all to be nurses. One cousin also became a nurse. Aunt gave a framed picture of 5 pointed star [nurse medal], 'I have always worn my medal'. Describes. Through secondary school years knew would go nursing at WAIKATO HOSPITAL, sister training in hospital PHARMACY. Describes. Never considered anything other than general nursing at WAIKATO HOSPITAL. Explains.

006'58" APPLYING FOR NURSING Applied for training from school. Aged 17 years when left school. Did do some work for a hairdresser until able to commence training. Friend from primary school started nurse training at same time. Explains.

009'57" FLATTING

1 In second year of training, group of six went flatting together, Mary only one who completed training. Explains.

010'05" INTERVIEW Mother and father accompanied for interview. Explains.

011'04" EARLY EXPERIENCES Initially in RYBURN NURSES' HOME, at top of hill. Half hour for meal break, a challenge if working in HOCKEN at bottom of hill, required to change uniform to go off the wards. Mother would say 'Don't eat so fast!'. Describes.

012'10" NURSES' HOME LIFE Fierce HOME SISTER. Climbing out of windows, midnight feasts all part of NURSES' HOME life. Describes.

013'04" NURSING GROUP/UNIFORMS Nursing group all female, came from wide area, majority school leavers. Explains. Uniforms white, stiff belts, white shoes and stockings. Blue uniform when not on wards. Blue capes. Describes.

015'09" PRELIMINARY SCHOOL Three months in school, before ward work, 'couldn't wait to get out into the real world'. Describes.

015'49" JUNIOR NURSE As junior nurse cared for patients almost ready to go home. At WAIKATO this meant working on the verandah. As became more senior, cared for sicker people. Junior nurse role revolved around sluice room. Describes.

016'40" SHIFT WORK Worked five days a week, three eight hour shifts, 7am start for morning shift. Explains.

016'55" TYPICAL JUNIOR NURSE DUTY Typical duty in the sluice room, counting cutlery, making beds, little hands-on patient care, cleaning. Describes.

017'39" DISCIPLINE Very strict discipline, 'in awe of senior nurses and WARD SISTER'. Christian names not used with patients. Everything neat and tidy. 'Crept away during DOCTOR'S rounds.' Describes.

019'04" HIERARCHY Hierarchy continued, as seniors told the juniors what to do. With students providing patient care hierarchical approach was required, 'senior people had to be on top of things'. Describes.

020'16" VARIOUS AREAS OF NURSING WORK Found MEDICAL nursing allowed for more people contact. 'Theatre nursing just an assistant to the surgeon'. GERIATRIC nursing interesting. Describes. 'Most important person in surgical ward, the SURGEON.' Describes. Medical wards, 'people had to contend with conditions which might not be going to get fixed ... could have more personal involvement with the person'. People stayed in hospital a long time. Describes.

022'47" WORK PATTERNS STAFF NURSES on all shifts. As a student on NIGHT DUTY, might be on 'your NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Mary LEAN

own', STAFF NURSES came around. Explains. WARD SISTER had oversight of everything that happened in ward, interacted with the DOCTORS, saw every patient. Describes. STAFF NURSES took responsibility for a group of patients with students. Worked as a team. Describes. Contrast with 'primary nursing' which did not actually do what was intended. Reflects. 'Always very busy ... never had time to work out what had happened to person ... you had your tasks.' Describes.

025'53" DOCTORS Had nothing to do with DOCTORS as students, 'WARD SISTER’s big moment'. Senior students would interact with HOUSE SURGEONS. Describes.

026'48" PATIENT AT THE CENTRE Training excellent, 'enabled you to dabble your feet in'. 'Patient is paramount ... person is not like in the books ... sooner you get near the patient.' Reflects.

027'38" TRAINING STRUCTURE Spent majority of time in wards, learning to relate to people. 'Learned and did at same time.' Valuable to be learning 'as doing'. Describes.

029'13" HOME SISTER Stayed in NURSES' HOME one year. HOME SISTER in charge, responsible for ensuring students had 'everything they needed ... not sneaking off ... older motherly sort of person'. REGISTERED NURSE, wore uniform. Always someone on site. Describes.

030'24" FLATTING Flatting at end of first year, six students together. Able to walk to work, one of girls had a car. Active social life. Describes.

032'01" EXAMINATIONS Regular tests throughout training, hospital final examination. Explains.

032'55" MATERNITY AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE OBSTETRICAL experience, included requirement to deliver a number of babies. Explains. Community experience included visiting area with MAORI families at WAHAROA, DISTRICT NURSE attended to very obese lady. Describes.

034'41" GRADUATION Graduation ball, flatmates came but had not completed training. Half class completed. Describes. One flatmate had become pregnant, married. MAORI girl moved north, KAIKOHE, did not complete training, working as community nurse. Describes. Graduation ceremony attended by parents, MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, DOCTOR MEAD presided with MISS HOLLIS, MATRON, MISS MCCUTCHEON, DEPUTY MATRON, MISS WILSON, TUTOR. Describes.

038'11" PRACTICAL EXAMINATION MISS MCCUTCHEON took practical exam, nervous, ‘was in the toilet ... she said ... no need to hide in toilet'. Describes.

3 038'59" PAY AND CONDITIONS Pay allowed for rent for flat. 'Conditions were fine ... first pay ... never knew any better'. Explains.

040'16" FIRST YEAR STAFF NURSE Worked for a year as STAFF NURSE, before overseas travel. Some options where you might work, 'if you were going to stay'. 'Full of importance' as a staff nurse. Describes.

041'39" WORKING IN LONDON/PRIVATE NURSING Travelled to ENGLAND with friend. Had joined ST JOHN'S NURSING AGENCY, LONDON before left NEW ZEALAND. Started work as soon as arrived in LONDON, required to do three months night duty. Worked in private homes. Describes. Looked after RABBI, 'not allowed to touch him ... my job was to keep his hat on'. Describes. Often family looked after person during day, might be given bed to sleep in. Describes. Went to GUY'S HOSPITAL, 'told wouldn't last with patient ... went to her home to help look after her'. Describes. NEW ZEALAND nurses very popular, 'good reputation'. Describes.

046'45" BOYFRIENDS Always managed to have boyfriends, shift work never really interfered. A lot of social activities were as a group. Describes.

047'54" RETURNING HOME Had travelled to ENGLAND on SS NORTHERN STAR, came home on SS ORSOVA after two and half years. Visited AMERICA, SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES. Had flown to NEW YORK, GREYHOUND bus to CALIFORNIA. Stayed with family friends. Describes.

049'09" SELECTING A PLACE TO WORK ON RETURN TO NZ Father's leg injury from WW1 and general health causing some problems. Didn’t want to work in a big hospital, chose ROTORUA. Father had come to QEH [QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL] as a war veteran. Felt if father had to come back would be there, 'applied for position at QEH'. Describes.

051'20" JOINING QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL Interviewed by MATRON, at QEH [QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL], MATRON, young, in role for twelve months. STAFF NURSE job came up unexpectedly. MATRON 'not a good place for young nurses to stay ... good experience for a short time'. Employed [1969] and stayed 44 years. Describes. QEH at time under WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD [1968-1989], later transferred to BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD [1989-1993]. Independent company from 1993]. Explains.

053'50" QUEEN ELIZABETH NURSING ROLES MATRON, REI PRESTON-THOMAS, wore veil until day she retired [1989]. Explains. Three wards and CHILD POTENTIAL UNIT, for CEREBRAL PALSY children, where 'all QEH staff did was administer medication to children ... otherwise had own staff'. Men's ward, women's ward and Ward 4, where occasional joint surgery. PETER TAPSELL, SURGEON. Describes. As STAFF NURSE did rostered shift work 'with SISTER MCALLISTER in Ward 4'. CHARGE NURSE position in WOMEN’S WARD came vacant. 'Her desk pointed to the wall ... had to knock if went into her office ... minute I got the job I turned the desk around'. Describes. NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Mary LEAN

055'54" QEH NURSING STAFF Had own Training School for ENROLLED NURSES for a time, one TUTOR, JOAN WARD. STAFF NURSES, ENROLLED NURSES and NURSE AIDES staffed hospital. Describes. Ward 3, women's ward staff included one NIGHT SISTER, CATH GREY, for 30 years. Morning shift would include two STAFF NURSES and three ENROLLED NURSES or NURSE AIDES. Describes.

057'47" QEH PATIENTS Patients came from all over NEW ZEALAND. Heavy nursing, patients quite disabled. Patients with ACUTE ARTHRITIS on bed-rest with all limbs in DUTHIE SPLINTS, 'four hourly nursing cares ... one leg out of plaster at a time ... very intensive nursing ... learned on the job'. Describes. HIP REPLACEMENT once a month. 'Very early days of joint replacements.’ MR McDONALD, SURGEON went to SCOTLAND to learn how to do elbow joint replacements. Describes. Patients came for on average six weeks, 'rules about letting people out for weekend ... knew that women would go home ... come back exhausted ... they had come to learn about their ARTHRITIS ... how to manage it ... treatment ... spas and physio ... mud and hot pools and massage... fine line between helping them to be independent and not being too helpful'. Details. Learned from staff who had been there longer and from patients, 'always ask the patient ... enabling the patient to look after self'. Describes.

061'31" END OF FILE 1

5 Recorded: 3 JUL 2013 File: 2 of 2 Interviewer: Margaret Horsburgh Abstracter: Margaret Horsburgh Equipment type: Fostex FR- 2LE Digital Recorder

000'03" INTRODUCTION TO FILE 2

000'33" WARD SISTER AND MATRON SISTER's UNIFORM white with brown shoes and stockings, white cap, two red stripes on shoulder. 'MATRON stickler for uniforms ... for dress code ... loved the patients ... visited every single patient every day ... started at 4pm ... at dining room she was last person the plate went past before it went to the patient'. Very caring environment. Describes.

003'01" ROLES CHANGE Became 'MATRON person', when REI PRESTON-THOMAS retired [1989]. Titles changed, NURSE MANAGER from 1991. Explains.

004'12" MATRON'S UNIFORMS RULES During period when MATRON, 'laid low ... had suite of rooms in NURSES' HOME... would go over every day to report to her', eventually persuaded her that nurses could wear sandals in summer, 'could move into sandals at Labour weekend ... shoes and stockings back on at EASTER'. Never allowed to take hats off, stayed in hats until MATRON retired. Describes. Kept white uniforms for some time. Explains.

006'02" QEH NURSING IN THE 1980s Heavy physical nursing, intact skin very important. Patients with wounds not allowed in pools. Describes. Men given stout every night. Long medication rounds, iron tablets for people with low HAEMAGLOBIN, everyone VITAMIN B and VITAMIN C. Describes.

007'33" DOCTORS RHEUMATOLOGISTS in charge of patient treatment, DR ROSE, Dr HOWES, DR CONLON, DR ISDALE. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT with three RHEUMATOLGISTS. HOUSE SURGEONS, MEDICAL REGISTRARS came from PUBLIC HOSPITAL on rotation. Describes.

008'03" PATIENT SELF-MEDICATION Introduced patient self-management of medication, patients continuing to take own medication when came into hospital. With accreditation of hospitals, [1980s], QEH was REHABILITATION UNIT for ROTORUA HOSPITAL, 'major problem with self-medication ... thorough examination of processes ... rules around patient understanding'. Describes.

010'07" PATIENT TREATMENT REGIMES Patients had education about condition; emphasis was self-management, combination of exercise and spa treatment. Describes. History of hospital based on rehabilitation of soldiers after WW1, DR WALLIS, 'everyone should have opportunity to return to life ... as contributing member of society'. 'Haven for people to re-group in safety and security ... feel able to get back out into world ... philosophy has continued.' Details.

012'04" NATIONAL CENTRE NATIONA L CENTRE for ARTHRITIS, few patients from SOUTH ISLAND, wide NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Mary LEAN

age range, did not treat children less than 15 years. Modern thinking. Describes.

012'44" TEAM WORK Nursing required understanding how people managed with adverse conditions, long-term problems, and ‘met amazing people'. Team approach to caring, ‘ARTHRITIS affects every waking moment ... physical... emotional ... relationships ... whole person.' Describes. Multi-disciplinary team included NURSES, DOCTORS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS/COUNSELLORS/PSYCHOLOGISTS. On-site ORTHOTIC or BOOT-MAKER. Describes. Many staff worked at QEH for long periods. Explains.

014'20" UNCERTAIN TIMES MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT died suddenly while overseas [1982], DR ISDALE, resulted in management crisis, ROTORUA HOSPITAL took over management briefly, then BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD, treatments for ARTHRITIS improving and QEH deemed redundant. Describes. Management and leadership structure changed. MATRON resigned. Mary employed as NURSE MANAGER. Many changes. Describes.

017'09" HANDS AROUND THE HOSPITAL BAY OF PLENTY AREA HEALTH BOARD decreed that hospital would close. Community rallied, group of TAURANGA DOCTORS planned a 'joint venture with community trust'. Ten trustees appointed including four from local council, one trustee from NGATI WHAKAUE, tribal owners of land, one trustee from each of ARTHRITIS NEW ZEALAND, the patient's association, ROTORUA RHEUMATOLGISTS, ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS and one from the staff. Describes.

018'32" Q E HOSPITAL LTD Private company formed [1993] with funding from contracts with REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY. Explains. DOCTOR JEREMY JONES, MEDICAL Head of QEH from late 1980s led 'thinking outside the square'. Describes.

019'02" TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS HAS CHANGED Medications for INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS has improved, people no longer in bed for long periods, splints rarely used, patients in hospital for short periods of time. Joint surgery increasing. 'Get people going quicker.' Describes.

020'20" PATIENT SELF-MANAGEMENT Programme of patient self-management applied to chronic pain management. Describes. Contract with ACC [ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION] MDPP, multi- disciplinary persistent pain programme. Patients came from wide area. Describes.

021'07" PAIN MANAGEMENT Pain management principle, 'enabling people to cope'. 'QE is an education centre.' Describes.

021'33" STAFFING PATTERNS REGISTERED NURSES continued to make up workforce, smaller number.

7 Compare to 1970s 'busiest time ... people would leave relatives while they went off on holiday ... no-one ever had CHRISTMAS DAY off'. Describes.

022'26" NURSE MANAGER Environment important, made to feel homely, secure, important to maintain environment. Describes. As NURSE MANAGER role did not change, patients remained main purpose. Did employ the nursing staff, had a budget to work to. Describes.

023'48" NURSING HAS CHANGED Focus for nursing 'caring', some of this lost now. Reflects.

024'33" NURSE TITLES Titles constantly changed, ACTING PRINCIPAL NURSE, NURSE MANAGER, PATIENT CARE CO-ORDINATOR. Various 'manager persons' have decided on different titles. 'Always RHEUMATOLOGY NURSE to my mind ... had own clinic'. Describes. Strong education role with patients. Describes.

025'32" ARTHRITIS NURSE EDUCATION Nurses come from wide geographic to learn, stay a week. QEH unique situation with in-patients. Few RHEUMATOLOGY beds in DHBs [DISTRICT HEALTH BOARDS]. Describes. Nurses mostly came from areas where RHEUMATOLOGISTS had private practices, employed nurses, or where a specialist nurse employed in hospital. Describes.

026'48" UNIFORMS Uniforms changed, mid 1990s, expectation that NURSE MANAGER would wear something distinct, tops and skirts, 'Begonia print.' Describes.

028'35" WORKING AND FAMILY LIFE Married 1982, continued through marriage to work full-time. Nursing and family life can accommodate both. Reflects.

029'47" REDUNDANCY QEH struggled to remain sustainable with funding structures and contractual arrangements. Closed in-patient ward, patients stay in motel and attend as day patients. Describes. 'Furious at decision ... stalked into Manager's office ... you cannot make me redundant ... offered part-time work ... couldn't contemplate the patients staying in a motel'. Describes.

033'08" REFLECTIONS ON CAREER 'Loved every minute ... seen huge changes ... in way ARTHRITIS treated ... all for the better.' Reflects. Focus now on money, previously 'money never thought of '. Reflects. Nurses now have a lot of technical knowledge, 'skills taught as junior nurses ... all about the patient ... talking to the patient ... listen to them'. Describes. 'Have had luxury of having time ... can help people so much more ... talk to them.' Describes.

036'42" WORKING WITH NEW GRADUATES/STUDENTS Student nurse placements came from WAIARIKI [POLYTECHNIC], few wanted to come to work with RHEUMATOLOGY long-term patients, name of placement changed. Describes.

038'42" END OF FILE 2 NERF Nursing Oral History Project 1950s/1960s Abstract Mary LEAN

9