NURSING OF SICK POOR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 28, 27 October 1934, Page 8

NURSING OF SICK POOR

Dominion-wide Service Proposed WELLINGTON GUILD WORK A movement has been set on foot to extend to the whole Dominion the work of nursing the sick poor in the manner in which it is carried out in Wellington by the District Nursing Guild of St. John. Addressing the am nuai meeting of the guild last night, the president, Mrs. A. Stace, said that it had been decided to form as soon as possible a Dominion district nursing service, which would be an activity of the St. John Ambulance Association, but the creation of which would not interfere with the guild as already established in Wellington. Mrs. Stace said that district nursing services were in operation in all other important Dominions of the Em pire, and New Zealand could be a proud country when one was established here. However, that object would take a long time to achieve.

Replying to the remarks by several speakers that the existence of the guild was little known in Wellington and its activities even less known, Mrs. Stace said that one way in which it could get itself better known would be by providing the nurses with a car, which was needed to prevent the waste of time in travelling by public conveyances to remote parts of the city. Colonel J. J. Esson, who was in the chair, and a number of other speakers praised the work of the nursing staff and the officers of the guild. One of the nurses, Sister V. Collins, addiessed the meeting on the work of the guild, and thanked all who had made gifts to it or assisted otherwise. The annual report said that the three members of the nursing staff had been able to do excellent work because of generous donations. During the 12 months 1886 visits had been paid by the sisters to patients in their own homes, 2337 cases treated at the surgery, 22 sent to hospital and there had been 14 deaths. Five hundred additional names had been placed on the register, and the total enrolled since the appointment of the first trained nurse was 7440. A number of the patients were chronic cases. At the request of the Department of Health the guild’s work had been extended by its acting in comjunction with the department and the Hospital Board in the after-care of patients leaving hospital. The requests came direct from the superintendent of the hospital, and during the year 31 notifications had been received, 215 visits paid, 24 patients discharged, two had died, and four had been returned to hospital. Annual subscribers were urgently needed.

The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. A. Stace; hon. life vicepresident, Miss E- M. Rowley; vicepresidents, Mrs. E. Balcombe Brown and Mrs. W. J. Osborn; committee, Mesdames M. M. Mcßae, G. Barltrop, W. Young, J. A. Doctor, E. M. Luke, R. Pearson, G. Shirtcllffe, A. J. Daniel, J. W. Jack and Miss E. Young; hon. secretary, Mrs. Macdonald Wilson; hon. treasurer, Mrs. W. J. Osborn; advisory medical officers, Dr. W, Young and Dr. Agnes Bennett; hon. medical staff, Dr. W. Young, Dr. lan Ewart, Dr. J. S. Elliott, Dr. A. L. Young, Dr. E. Button, Dr. D. Whyte, Dr. W. Paterson, Dr. W. Bull, Dr. B. Wright, Dr. T. Usher, Dr. R. Martin, Dr. E. H. Luke, Dr. J. Zohrab, Dr. H. Rawson, Dr. J. Twhigg, Dr. Gordon Kemp, Dr. Montgomery Spencer; hon. accountants, Messrs. Rowley,’Gill, Hobbs and Glen; hon. auditor, Mr. J. W. Jack; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Young, White and Courtney. Remarking that Lady Bledisloe had recently been created a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John, the chairman said that they were delighted to hear that Lord Bledisloe had now had his services to the order recognised by his being included among the Knights of Grace. Oh his motion members of the guild expressed their great regret at the impending departure from the Dominion of Lord and Lady Bledisloe, recognised the service they had given to the order at all times, and wished them God-speed and happiness. The meeting was entertained with items by Miss Florence Penney and Miss Joyce Dinnlson.