ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1931, Page 17

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Some iutcrestiug particulars showing the progress which has been made by the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas in this Dominion during the past year have been issued by Colonel Barclay, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand. He stales that the work clone has continued to show an advance on previous years, and that the demands for the attendance of trained members at all kinds of gatherings have been greater than before, affording ample evidence that the public are realising more fully the good work of St. John. The membership of the brigade at the close of 1930 stood at 1938, against 102S for the preceding year. The number of public services undertaken by members during the last five years was as follows: —1920, 10,13!); 1927, 21.020; 1928, 28,532; 1929, 33,220; 1930, 38;205. Tho number of cases of. first aid handled by members at public gatherings of various kinds was 15,276 against 14,804 in the previous year, while first aid rendered not on public duty was 17,734 —an increase, of over 300. Removal of transport work, which is now a great feature in connection with the activities of the brigade, shows a considerable advance. In Auckland, Christchureh, and Dunedin the transport of the sick and injured is undertaken by the St. John Ambulance. Association, and there were registered 7455 cases (Auckland R076, Christehurch 11G4, Dunedin 1215), the figures for 1029 being 3843. In other towns (exclusive of. Wellington) ..the brigade undertakes , tha? duty and last year carried 3983 patients, the previous' year's figures being 3033. The cases nursed privately by' members of the nursing division amounted t0'872, an.increase of 304. Hospital attendances by/ members totalled 339 against 225' for the previous' year. •"

.Considerable advance has. been made in connection A\'i the cadet movement, five ambulances and eleven nursing divisions having been added to the roll. The percentage of efficient members returned by divisions has shown a satisfactory increase.

Lectures on the "Prevention of Accidents" or "Safety First" had proved interesting to members and would be extended in the near future. The stores depots at Chrfstchurch and Wellington are doing good work, and the medical comforts depots, which lend various articles to poor patients, continue to be useful.