TRAINING V.A.D’S.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1939, Page 7

TRAINING V.A.D’S.

SCHEME FOR WAIRARAPA DISTRICT. PRELIMINARY MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT. Proposals for the training of Voluntary Aid Detachments at Masterton Hospital were discussed at a meeting held at the hospital last night. There were present: —Mr H. H. Mawley (chairman of the board), Mr Norman Lee (managing secretary), Dr T. R. Parr ■ (medical superintendent), Miss Barnett (matron), Mrs D. K. McKenzie (representing by proxy Miss Whitehead, Women’s Division Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance), and Mrs H. E. Either (a member of the Red Cross Society). A committee was set up to make enquiries as to those willing to take up training under the scheme, which provides for instruction in hospital ethics and etiquette, ward hygiene, linen control, admittance and discharge of patients, types of beds and bed-making, care of patients, taking of temperatures and pulse recording, respiration, infectious disease, technique, dietary, instruction in sterilisation methods and observations in connection with anaesthesia.

The Wairarapa Hospital Board has agreed to the training of V.A.D.’s under this scheme. Arrangements are in hand for training in the Greytown. Master ton and Pahiatua hospitals, in accordance with the system laid down. Members of detachments must be between the ages of 18 and 40, and must hold certificates in home nursing, hygiene and first aid, either from the Red Cross Society or the St. John Ambulance. They are expected to attend three parades of the detachment a year and to undertake duties in a hospital for at least 60 hours per year. Each detachment is to consist of not more than 20 members, and is to be in charge of a registered nurse who is a sister at the local public hospital, and is responsible for the detachment to the V.A.D. Committee.

Anyone having the necessary qualifications who desires to take up training should communicate cither with the secretary of the St. John Ambihlance or of the Red Cross Society.