PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 14

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID

MEETING OF SOCIETY’S COMMITTEE

The monthly moot in;:; of tho committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was hold in tho .Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms yesterday afternoon, there being present Air A. E. Roscvcar (.chairman), Mesdamcs .). B. Cal I an, J. Doy. E. Roberts, E. C. Reynolds, J{. .Kennedy, I). Phillips, Miss Williams, Messrs G. L. Dcnniston. E. W- AUtehcll, AY. Blaekic, C. B. Smith, ,I.’ Taylor, W. L. Logie, D. Phillips, J. Loudon, and H, P. West. The Chairman, welcomed Airs Kennedy, and said that the question of subscriptions had been gone into, and Mr Potor Christie had been appointed collector, and £7B ‘As 6d had been collected. They wore very much, handicapped at present owing to Air Camming being laid np. They hod appointed a email committee to do Mr Cumming'.s work.

Mr Phillips said that the members of tho committee appointed had been very much, enlightened as to Mr Cummings work, and proceeded to give details ol tho visits lie had paid. Ho thought that it was essential that they should find out how long Air Camming was likely to he laid up, as they wore not eapahlo of doing Jus work. Air West said that they hud gone as thoroughly as they possibly could into tho eases they had investigated. They had not known, whether the cases all came within tho jurisdiction of patients and prisoners’ aid or not, hut he thought that they had kept within the limit.

Tho Chairman said that was very satisfactory, and ho thought that they should now consider tho question of Air Camming. Ho had seen him several times. Jlo had gone under a severe operation, and was now back in his own home. He had seen Air Gumming that morning, and ho had boon able to converse and enter into a few mutters. He had told him that ho was going to bring up the question of getting someone to do his work while ho was laid up. He did not think Air Camming would be about for six weeks or two months, and it was necessary to get someone to act in the meantime. Air Dcnniston remarked that it seemed that they must get someone. Air Loudon asked if it was possible for Mr Garbutt to undertake the work, to which tho chairman replied in the negative. Air Alitelioll said that the department was quite satisfied that Air Garbutt should give his assistance where possible. . During tho discussion that lollowed Air Loudon said that ho did not think it was part of tho society’s functions to conduct services at tho hospital. Air Dcnniston suggested that the position bo advertised. Finally it was decided that tho subcommittee considered it essential to engage somebody to take the place of AJr Gumming temporarily, and that the sub-committee be given power to deal with the situation. Mr Phillips presented reports on the Rest Horne by tho matron and by Air J. G. Alartin, and stated that they had visited tho home and found everything satisfactory, Mr Phillips also presented a report on the Rest Homo by Air E. R. Grace, which contained the following(1) Circularising social workers: In connection with this tho society would probably receive a number of patients unable to pay anything towards the cost of their keep and who would not bo the responsibility of the Dempsey Trust. This opinion is based on the assumption that if recently in hospital tho medical superintendent would have recommended admission; and, further, they .would not come under tho notice of social workers unless they wore in poor circumstances. (2) Whether a lady member of tho committee would co-operate with Air Smith in visiting tho hospital. I would add that Air Smith and 1 visited tho hospital at the beginning of tho month and interviewed the medical superintendent’s clerk, who has proved most helpful to me, and Aliss Al'Nab, who offered to assist any lady member of tho committee who might agree to take up a weekly visit to the ■hospital on behalf of tho society. It is early yet for me to express any opinion regarding admissions. As tram fares are becoming a considerable item the committee might consider it advisable to grant £2 towards the cost of a social worker’s tram ticket, tho balance (£3) to be paid by myself. This would limit tho amount payable by the society to £2 yearly, and would probably result in a substantial saving. Mr Phillips remarked that everything was going on all right, and the matters dealt with in the report were referred to the Homo Committee.

Alesdames Callau and Kennedy were associated with Mr Smith in his weekly visits to tho hospital.