THE CALL TO SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17010, 18 November 1918, Page 6

THE CALL TO SERVICE

NURSES AND HELPERS.

NEED STILL REMAINS GREAT.

1 An urgent appeal for many more trained nurses for work in the hospitals in the city and the temporary hospitals in the country was again made yesterday by Miss Bagley. She stated that further nursing assistance wan vitally necessary to prevent the present organisation from breaking down completely. Miss Bagley appealed to those people who are employing private nurses on single cases to make it possible for thy nurses to leave as soon as the urgency of the case is past. "I am afraid," said Miss Bagley, " that some peoplo who are fortunate enough to be able to employ private nurses are acting selfishly and are keeping the nurses longer than is absolutely necessary. The nurses should be released as soon as is possible, or be allowed t" assist to soma extent in attending to o;'i«r cases in the district. It is extremely necessary that the trained nuwing assistance shall be used in tho most economical ia.'nioii." Kiss Bagley also requires a greet many mdie domestic helpers and others who ai'3 willing to assist in nursing work at the hospiti Is Payment up to lOs a day will bo made, if. required. Miss Bagley emphasised the point that it is necessary for people to give the whole or their time to the work. The constant changes tend to disorganise the system. At least four good cooks are required, and 20 others who are willing to perform domestic services or help with nursing. Helpers are also needed at the hospitals wfid for work in the country districts, fiorn which urgent appeals have been received. Tho sister in charge of the temporary hospital at Te Awamutu is now ill, and the Hospital Board is endeavouring to replace her. The St. John Ambulance Depot remains as busy as ever. Heie, also, the most notable feature of the applications is the increasing number from country districts, and the same urgent need of trained men and women to meet the crisis. The number of depots opened in the various suburbs has tended to lighten considerably the work at tho control depot; where practicable, applicants are told to refer to their own depots for supplies and relief. It was stated yesterdiy that a much larger number of children's cases have been reported within the last few days, and the matter of providing extra accommodation for sick children will have to be taken in hand at once. More clothing is required for hospital patients—both adults and children—as many have had thoir clothes destroyed, and the board is faced with the problem ■J equipping them when they are ready ■ ■r. discharge. Old linen is also required for all the Hospitals. » Ap apoeiii is mado for the return of medicine bottles, 60 that the hospital may rope with the demand for the standard medicra. All who have theee bottles are requester! to leave them at tho board's office or at any of the suburban depots.

omr AND SUBURBS.

REASSURING . REPORTS.

Severe! caeca a.J, Devonpnrt terminatec fatally on Saturday and some serious cases were removed to Aw Auckland Hospital but there is a noticeably less number of now cases. Two further deaths have occurrec at Narrow Neck camp, and the conditior of natisnta la much improved. There are feu? cases in the Takapunc Convalescent Home. More convalescent! are expected to enter the home to-day The position at Takapuna, Milford, anr outlying districts is improving rapidly. Two deaths occurred during the week-end —one in tht Takapuna district and one al tho Milford temporary hospital. There are new sufficient nurses in the districts. Re-»j*uring reports of improved condi tions com* from Ponsonby and Grey Lynn. There are, nevertheless, some serious cases yet to be dealt with. An improvement is reported from tin New Lynn district, but there are still many serious cases in the district. The epidemic is abating at Onchunga, Captain Crawford, N.Z.M.C, is in charge of medical arrangements. On* hundred and twenty-five cases are reported from Panmure and St. Heliers. Two Chinese gardeners have succumbed at W;'.st Tamaki. The fighting arrangement are well in hand. A" hospital has been established on Avondale racecourse, and is in active use. Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Hospital Board, visited the site on Friday and expressed himself as pleased with the arrangements made. He could not arrange for a doctor to visit the hospital daily, but issued orders for all equipment. Nurse Curtis is in charge, and a band of local helpers is prepared to assist as long as the epidemic lasts. Nurse Cnrtis is also visiting c:..ies in tho district, and those that can be dealt with at the temporary hospital are being sent in. Very serious cases aro being removed to the Auckland Hospital. There aro 14 patients in the hospital, and others are expected. It is intended, to make the temporary hospital available for New Lynn cases as wed. Al 1 the cases are making favourable progress. At Motui.M there aro now only sis prisoners «>ij£ v >ng from infl'ienza. One member of M guard died recently, but there have bec-a no deaths among tho pn soners. The position at the ?aol his greatly improved. At one time there were 96 cases, but at present all are convalescent, except six. There have bean three deaths from influenza at tho gaol since the epidemic started.

IN THE OUTLYING ABEAS.

CENTRALISING THE WORK.

The position 10 regard to the treatment of infli:aiiza patients in the P/ipakura district ,w as fo " nd to do ""satisfactory by At, W. Wallace, chairman of the Hospital Board, «nd Cajtain E. Thomas, house BupiMti»"»d«.jii 1 who motored there yesterday. Thr»rf 'jiii!dinpr aw being used to (vceor.:r>i'.date 42 puients— in the panel, hall. 10 in the Methodist h»ll, and 12 in a sm-ip dwelling in which the space is fw from adequate. Mr. Wallace considered the matter bo important that' he and Dr. Fmnjley intend to leave ve-v <>::rly this morning to dec! with the posi- , tion on the «'x;t.

Conditions 1.1 the Papatoetoo and Manure*-.! district* are satisfactory, mid 10 beds |v;h.'h wore forwarded by the Hospital Board to equip a small hospital were found to bo unnecessary, and were sent on to Papakura. At Otahuhu a committ-a, consisting of the Mayor and counoillois and Corn-table Moss, has accomplished excellent work. The Public. Hall contains 20 bods. Many patients have reached the convalescent stage, and Constable Moss's residsneo is to lie used as a convalescent home, for which purpose 12 bed* have been installed'. A request having been made for the necessary equipment to establish a tern |X)ra''v hospital, Mr. Wallaco has communi, 'tad with the representatives of tho local bodies in the Mount Wellington, Howiek, and surrounding districts, suggesting that they should work in co-opera-ti< n with the authorities at Olahuhu in order to economise in medical and 'nursing staffs. The city will deal with any patients rot attended by the officials at Otaliuhu. The buildings at the latter place are more suitable, and the conditions generally more sanitary than at the district?, mentioned.

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