DISTRICT NURSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22295, 22 June 1934, Page 15

DISTRICT NURSING

EOSLYN ASSOCIATION. A largely-attended meeting .of women interested in the newly-formed Roslyut District Nursing Association was held in Koslyn on Wednesday afternoon. Mr J. Moir, who was in the chair, spoke oi' the help given in the early stages of relief work and of the assistance given by the various local relief depots. The Koslyn District Nursing Association w,as the outcome of the decision made at a public meeting held on April 16 in the Kaikorai School, when the need for such a service was placed before those present. Mrs A. R. Falconer said that the Roslyn Relief Committea had been brought closely in touch with many relief workers and their families and others who, through the depression and unemployment, had to seek assistance. Almost invariably the exceptionally needy cases had been due to sickness, and the help which the depot was empowered to give was inadequate. There were some on small wages who receive no assistance from any depot, and others in reduced circumstances who could not afford the cost of the services of a private nurse, but they could and would give a little for the services of a district nurse. The two St. John Ambulance nui'ses and their assistant did excellent work, but they could not cope with the whole of the city. The Women's Committee asked for the interest and symEathy of the women of the district to elp procure for the nurse what was necessary. Help could be given in the way of clothes, furniture, bedding, etc., or any kind of food, but especially soup for the sick and- for under-nourished children. Another way in which help could be given was by becoming a member of tlie association for a subscription of 5s per year, or a sustaining member for £l per year, or a life member for a donation of £25. Donations could be given to any member of the committee 0£ left at the rooms, 104 a Higbgate, any afternoon except Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 3. Nurse Kiumont spoke of the Nursa Maude Nursing Association in Christchurch, on the lines of which the Eoslyu Association hoped to organise its district. Nurse Maude had years run a most satisfactory system of district nursing, aud had the confidence and support of the whole city. She had eight nurses, who worked within a three-mile radius of the city. No set charge for treatment wa s made, but all who could possibly afford to pay were expected to do so, one shilling per visit being the minimum charge. Those who could not afford that small sum were treated free. On the other hand, any patient who could afford to pay five shillings a visit was handed over to the Trained Nurses' Association, for competition with _ that organisation was most carefully avoided.' The clothing department was run by a committee of ladies, who arranged the articles for sale at a very cheap rate, and all funds went to the association. In cases of real need eoods were given free. During the pnftt live weeks numerous cases in the district had been visited, and since the completion of the rooms last week many patients had come there for treatment and advice. Parcels of clothing, old linen, etc., had been sent along, and the contents were much appreciated in many homes. Dr Falconer also spoke.