VOLUNTARY AIDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 199, 5 June 1941, Page 3

VOLUNTARY AIDS

IMPORTANCE OF ORGANISATION. CHIEF COMMANDANT'S VISIT. Miss E. Tennent (Commandant in Chief of the Voluntary Aid Division) met the executive of the Mid-Canter-bury Centre of the Bed Cross Society and the local V.A.D. committee yesterday afternoon. Mrs F. Curtis (president of the Centre) welcomed Miss Tennent and .congratulated her on her recent appointment as commandant-in-chief. Miss Tennent outlined the organisation of the Division and referred to the regulations that had been drawn up for it. It had been very difficult to satisfy all parts of the country in this respect, she added. A revision of the regulations was to bo undertaken very shortly so that it was a suitable time for criticism.

Miss Tennent advocated the establishment of detachments in smaller districts and centres, for in this way training could be speeded up and interest aroused.

Referring to Europe the speaker said that conditions there were at present favourable to the spread of epidemics so that it was needful even in New Zealand that we should be prepared. Any increase in sickness iu this country would necessitate very heavy calls on the Division.

Matrons of many hospitals, who she had spoken to held a very high opinion of the Division and its objectives. Miss Tennent referred to the devotion doctors and nurses had shown in the training of the body. If doctors knew a well-trained Voluntary Aid was hi the home they would Jet many patients go home from hospital earlier, and many persons would not even have to go to hospital. As regards training, Miss Tennent advised that advanced groups should be kept separated from less advanced groups so that higher training could be pursued. Answering questions, the speaker referred to those girls who were too old for the Junior Red Cross but were under 18. So that they would not be lost to the Division she intimated that they should be looked on as cadets and encouraged to parade and drill with the Division.

It was asked that a. ruling should appear in the handbook as to whether after five years it was necessary to sit again the examination in first aid.

Mi ss Tennent explained that under the International Convention the Bod Cross Society was supposed to arrange emergency hospitals. At Waipukurnu and Lower Hutt this was being done. It was desired that persons should promise material that would be required so that it would not be necessary to go to great expense. fMiss Tennent visited the Ashburton Public Hospital late yesterday afternoon and last evening she addressed a gathering, of local Voluntary Aids, Miss Tennent loft for Geraklino tin's morning.