ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10564, 18 April 1928, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ANNUAL REPORT,

Tiiei. animal report of the St. John Ambulance Association to be presented at the fourth annual meeting tonight, is aa follows: . .. Classes: Two classes in. ; 'first.■ aid one in home nursing Wem conducted in conjunction with the divisions of Nnrsiiig aiid Brigade. Seventeen ladies alicl eleven .men. (pmlied for first aid certificatestlue<| ladies and three men qualified ip their or first re-examina-tion; seven ladles and three men qualified ihr medallions or second re-examination and three men qualified in their label or third re-exam-imftion. The Association wishes it to be clearly understood that the object of jbhe Association is not to rival, but to aid the medical. men, and the subject matter of instruction given at the. classes has been defined by the Medical Committee of the Ambulance Department with the view of qualifying the pupil to adopt such measures as may be advantageous, pending the doctor’s arrival or during the intervals between his visits, 'The practice of Brigade members taking the Association’s examinations for the purpose of qualifying for medallions and higher awards is for the future discontinued, as the regulations now provide that the annual brigade re-examinations for maintenance of efficiency are to be recognised as qualifying for these awards.

Special mention must he made of the men’s class in first aid. Messrs Nelsons (N.Z.) Ltd. and the Vacuum Oil Company Pty. Ltd. paid the full class fees of eleven members of their staffs, and this should be sufficient incentive for other large .employers of labour in this district to encourage members of their staffs to enrol in the first gid classes to he held during the coming winter.

The- benefits of an effective first aid and ambulance service as it applies to employer and the employee ' may be summarised as follows: Suffering; is alleviated. The workman who, has met with a slight accident is enabled to return to work almost immediately, in comfort and. with a sense of security. Minor accidents are prevented from developing into serious injuries as a result of septic infection or blood poisoning. Experience shows that it is not always a severe accident that in the end proves the most serious. The loss of a limb or even of life has ensued from an apparently trivial, , but neglected injury. The recovery of the workman and his return to work after a severe accident may- be materially expedited. For the information of the public it may he observed that a- class conducted by the Association is distinct from the practises or drills' of the division of the Brigade, though for convenience the two are often combined. Classes are held for a.double purpose—first for the instruction of the public in first aid in case of accidents or sudden illness, and in simple home nursing; secondly for the purpose- of providing recruits for the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the qualification for membership in which is in the case of men the first aid certificate rind in the case of women both the first aid and home nursing certificates. An earnest invitation is given to all certificate holders to join the Brigade and Nursing Division and thus continue their training, as it is by constant practice that the knowledge gained in the classes can be most efficiently applied when actual necessity arises. Brigade: The local division of the Brigade has well maintained its usefulness and efficiency and has proved its worth to the community. The combined membership of the Brigade and nursing division now stands at dO members and it is regretted that the total ■ strength of the 'Brigade does not meet the requirements of the regulations as laid down by the St.' John , Ambulance Brigade overseas. During the coming year every effort will be- made to increase the strength of the Brigade. All the present members will need to give up their Saturday half-holidays during the winter in the interests” of the ’-arious sports bodies. Duty has in former years been rendered' at race meetings, rugbv and soccer football matches. hockey matches, athletic meetings, A, and P. Show, sportsmeetings at Te Karaka. Ormond, Alaiiutuke, M'uriwai, Kaitaratahi, and other functions where crowds The wearing 'of 'uniform lias increased the usefulness, of the Brigade to a marked degree oil these occasions. The number or eases treated during the year was as follows: Attended while on publicduty, 261; attended while not on public duty, 35; removals 5; total, •‘l6l cases. The schedule of public duties on Saturday, July 23 last, is as follow: Oval, 5 men oil duty, 12 cases treated: Reserve, 2 men on duty. 5 cases treated; hockey, 1 lady on duty, 4 eases treated—a total of 21 cases for the day. These recorded eases give some indication of the value of the organisation to the community, but the real value is even greater than is shown by the figures in that it means healthier and happier living, as well for those whose knowledge and experience enable them to benefit others, as for those others who have been thus benefited.

U is very gratifying to note the support the Brigade has received from the sports bodies of Gisborne end district, also the public bodies. Donations were received . from the Cook Hospital Board, Cook County Council, Gisborne Borough Council, Poverty Bhy Rugby Union, Manut.uke, Knitaratahi, Ngataoa Sports Clubs, Waika nao Beach Society and A. and R. Association. Other"small donations have been promised, but have not yet come to hand. A street saje of flowers was held on Saturday, September 20 and the proceeds realised £lB 10s 2d. The committee take this opportunity of thanking the ladies and those friends who so kindly assisted with their help and donations of flowers. The committee also wish to thank the various sports and public bodies for the. donations received. Training room: Early in the year it was decided to rent a suitable room for the purpose of holding first aid and home nursing ' classes and also to give training facilities to the members of the Nursing Division and Ambulance Brigade. Through the efforts of Mr H. H. D,e Costa-, (Cook Hospital Board representative) the Association is now in possession of a suitable room in Messrs Archibald Clark’s Buildings, Peel Street, which was secured for a very nominal rental.

The annual inspection of the Brigade and. Nursing Division was carried out -in December by District Officer A. W. Pfobert. and at a general meeting held in the Borough Council Chambers, the /Association was congratulated on the membership and' general efficiency of both the’ Brigade and' Nursing Division. A . forward move has- been made in the erection and equipping an Ambulance, Litter Station in Peel St. and should prove useful should an accident happen when the present motor >■ ambplance is not available. Tlhj committee wish to thank Hie Returned Soldiers’ Association for providing the labor free of charge for the erection of this depot. The "First Aid Cabinet at the Waibanae Beach has proved its usefulness judging by the number of calls made on the : . contents,, which are always available to the public in case of accidents at the beach. • Motor ambulance: This matter is being kept constantly . in view by your committee, and when better Conditions prevail/ an appeal will, be launched to raise sufficient funds to

purchase an im-to-date. and efficiently oquirjped motor ambulance which \yfll be" a credit.'to Poverty Bay. The Association, sustained a severe loss dbiilig the year irf’the death of its president;; Mi' 0. IS; Armstrong. Although the late ju'esldontja illness prevented him IToih attending our meetings, lie took a very keen interest in the Work. The committee take this opportunity of thanking Drs. W. A. Bowie, It. M. dumb IT. Colliding Rice, D. L. Muir anti J. W. .Willi inns and Sister Parker, who • so gladly gave their services as lecturers and examiners. to tire First Aid and Home Nursing Classes. On behalf of, the Brigade, thanks are also extended to Dr. F. Ivuhlenberg for the - interest lie lias shown in tile Brigade’s work at the rugby mutches. On behalf ol the Nursing Division, thanks are also extended to Dr. I. Wise, Lady Superintendent, and Dr. W. A. Bowie, Divisional Surgeon, for the good work done in connection with the successful formation of thd Division.