AN APPEAL.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14667, 16 May 1913, Page 8

AN APPEAL.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS."

Sir, —I desire, with your pei-mission, to iriako an appeal through your columns on behalf of tho Christchurch District Nursing Association, an organisation which has beon doing good work for many years past amongst tho sick and suffering i>oor of Greater Christc-hurch. It is, perhaps, as well to state what is meant by "District Nursing," as many peoplo may not understand tho term. Tho work of tho district nurse' is to visit tho sick poor .in their own homes, irrespective of tho religious denomination of tho sufferers. Sho carries out the doctor's orders, drosses wounds, washes the patients and makes their beds, and in some noses lends or gives clean linen and other necessaries. Sho also sees that proper food is. given to tho patients ; Many sad cases come under iier notice and caro, such as cancer, paralysis, Lip disease, eczema, and others ot a distressing nature. Some of tho patients require visiting two or even three times during tho day, so that with tho numerous patients a. very largo number of visits is made during the year (last year it was 8021). At y o'clock each morning iho nurses are in attendance at tho otlice to receive messagesiand arrange tho work of the day. They then proceed from street to street, visiting tho patients according to tho list prepared, soothing the pillow of. many a poor sufferer, and carrying ease and comfort to the sick and tho dying. This is tho work of the district nurses. I am thankful to say we have, a number of subscribers, somo of them of good sums, who cheerfully respond to my reminder that their subscriptions are due, but wo desiro to largely increase tho number, so that the work may bo extended. The nurses at present frequently receive requests for assistance in cases beyond the borders lof Greater Christchurch, and theso they have reluctantly to refuse ? as, with tho present staff, it is impossible to go to everyone requiring help. , An increased income would mean an increased staff of nurses, and, therefore, more ground covered. I desiro to lay stress upon the fact that our nurses in their work know nothing of denomination or sect, the question of religion is never thought of, and as our committee consists of men of several religious bodies the public can bo satisfied that our Association exists for tho benefit of all tho sick poor who can be reached' by tho present staff. I also desiro to say that our nurses are very careful to give assistance and help only to the sick poor; they do not attend patients who are able to pay for a private nurse, or for accommodation and attention in a nursing home. If it were necessary I could give experiences in my work as treasurer, and, unfortunately, depressing ones also, but respect for your space makes, mc hesitate to do so. I believe the general public will admit that the work of tho Association is deserving of support. It is difficult to conceive of a work being more deserving, and I venturo'to think that there are many who would like to help. Ido not ask for large sums, nor do I expect them, as there are a great many calls upon the charitably-disposed, but tho Association is anxious to get a larger number of subscribers of moderate sums (large sums would of course be very welcome), so that tho good work now done can bo extended. I will gladly send a copy of last year's report and balance-sheet to anyone who desires to see same and will ask for it. Name 3of subscribers will bo gladly received by Nurso Maude, 193 Durham street, south, or by myself,, 16S Hereford street, or P.O. Box 645.. There are a great many people, probably hundreds, in and around Christchurch who could give a guinea or two a year to this work who are not at present giving, and who would never miss it, and I plead with them in the name of *our common humanity to assist us.—Yours, etc, CHARLES BEAN.