BOPDHB History Tauranga Hospital Centennial Book | Page 18

Dr Simmons was instrumental in the hospital acquiring
a Cardiac Ward some years later after the new hospital
was erected. You could say our treatment needs were
ideal training practice for the many interns and nursing
staff who followed Dr Simmons (and other professional
doctors) on their daily rounds.
We children learnt their jargon and would ‘mimic’ in fun.
I remember in awe our first lady intern doctor and some
years later the introduction of male nurses!!
Admission into the appropriate ward was immediate and
usually prearranged by the doctor. In my case Doctor
Simmons would give me the immediate treatment at
home first, and depending on the emergency, call the
ambulance or take me himself.
No ID wrist bracelets then and personal file details were
taken at ones’ bedside once the patient was settled into
bed. No matter how sick I was, I remember not looking
forward to those blue striped pyjamas or white nighties
that tied at the back (it was not permissible to wear our
own). Our sterile life, became in a sense, another world
we lived in outside our homes.
Job prospects were varied and an opportunity to a
wide range of people seeking employment. Successful
applicants would be trained on site at Tauranga Hospital.
The laundry was one such attached service. This period
of time was from 1954 – 1970’s operating in an entirely
different way to today.

The big stainless steel food trolleys (an essential part
of the traffic that moved up and down this path) would
indicate meal times to us and what occurred in between.
I remember young able girls coming, fresh from college
and entering into nursing. Some would come in as nurseaids to begin nursing. I met college girls who held regular
part-time jobs washing tea dishes after school.
In those early years, we were plagued by cockroaches
at night. The hospital seemed to have cleaners at work
from morning to dusk, leaving no evidence of their nightly
invasion. Crothalls was a cleaning company that cleaned
for the hospital for many years. The team of workers had
supervisors who would check their work was carried out
to satisfaction. Some of the family members of the ‘Long
Stayers’ were employed by Crothalls so that they could
be close to their loved one.
On the weekend we would be treated to the Salvation
Army Band setting up on the lawn amongst trees and
flower gardens, playing their beautiful music. This area
was between Wards 1 and 2. Caring ladies would visit
us and give us each a wee posy of flowers with a Bible
verse and would always be interested in our welfare.
Some nurses gave freely of their time to hold Sunday
School Service for us.
As we convalesced we were able to have school lessons
and some light activity in bed. Mrs Mune our first teacher
would prepare our lessons according to our schooling
year.

Our little ‘White Administration Building’ situated on
Cameron Road, did not appear to have the same
significance as did the appearance of our Superintendent
Doctor Short and Matron White back in the day. Their
perspective and responsible roles required respect for
strict rules to be followed and adhered to by all hospital
personal. Inspections were daily and Matron White was
a force to be reckoned with when it came to appearance
and standard of uniform. Nurses were pulled up if their
hair touched their collar. I remember every bed was
inspected and the ‘Tauranga Hospital Board Logo’ on the
Counterpane ha