DISTRICT NURSING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 13

DISTRICT NURSING

GUILD OF ST. JOHN"

By way of supplying many inquirers with information of the activities of the Nursing Guild of St. John of Jerusalem, the following statement has been made by the guild: Two nurses, working under a> committee of ten well-known ladies, actuated by desire to help their unfortunate fellow creatures, have a small office at 95, ; Ghuznee street, and their duties consist of answering and dealing as far as possible with inquiries at the office whero various treatments are administered; followed by distribution of medical comforts and clothing. That part of the day's work being CQmpletea, ■the nurses are then engaged on; district work—that is, attending to the sick in their homes, which involves dressings, spongings,. getting, patients out of bed, and performing various duties which the sick are. unable to do themselves. If a doctor is required, and a patient cannot afford to pay his fee, the nurses arrange with charitable aid to send a" doctor along, and later on in the day pay another visit to see how the patient is progressing. An average of ldO visits a month are paid to patients' homes, and from 50 to . 60' cases are treated at the office. . ■ AH sorts of cases are dealt with, but attention is. not extended to those who can afford to pay. Those, relieved include many old pensioners who during the winter months are often hard • p against it. There are many calls for clothing, boots, and old linen, and such gifts arc always gratefully received at the- office. The committee allows a small emergency fund with 'which to buy medicine, food, or any little extra a patient may require. There is also a coal fund donated by a few kind friends, and thus it is possible to give a bag -of coal where pressingly needed. Serious discomfort in many cases would be greatly reduced if this form of help could bo added to. During the past few weeks there have been many calls on the coal /fund. One cannot help being struck in some cases with the appalling poverty met with and the filthy conditions associated with it, due in most cases to sickness and misfortune. Again-there is a sadder type of unfortunates, comprising those who through sickness and lack of earning power are, to employ a colloquialism, down and out. In these cases one has to bo tactful, and as far as possible camouflage any help given. There is also the humorous side of life met with, and, in spite of all this sickness and want, these patients are on the whole a cheery lot, and were it not for this it would be very hard for tho nurses to carry on. Towards the end of the year the committee gives a huge picnic, to which all patients, expaticnts, and their families are invited. With the help of donations from friends far and near, gifts of toys, clothing, ana groceries are distributed, each mother and child receiving a gift of some kind, and it is delightful to the workers to see how ono and all look forward to and appreciate this great day. The committee and nurses would' like it to go forth to the public at large that they aro extremely grateful for all the donations of money, clothing, old linen, and magazines, soup, and other' foods alroady received, and trust that of their goodness the people who can afford to do so will continue to help the nursing guild. - -„