Backblocks District Nursing Scheme

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume II, Issue 4, 1 October 1909, Page 164

Backblocks District Nursing Scheme

. b The first nurse appointed by a Hospital Board under Dr. Valintine's scheme has been fairly launched on her work, at Uruti, in the Taranaki district. Nurse Bilton commenced duty on 14th August. She was directed to a patient needing her care immediately she arrived in the little town. The life of the child, suffering from pneumonia, and threatened with meningitis was probably saved by proper nursing, and nurse has gained golden opinions already in the district. Nurse Bilton is attached to the New Plymouth Hospital staff, and has been supplied with a well-equipped nurse's kit from the Hospital. She writes that she was most kindly received by the Matron and nurses, who wish her to look upon the Hospital as her home when in New Plymouth; and also by the members of the Board, and by the medical

staff under whom she will nurse her cases Many eyes will be turned with interest on the progress of this work in Uruti ; for, although in some distant parts of the North Island a few nurses have been doing private nursing, guaranteed up to a certain amount by the local County Council, Nurse Bilton is the pioneer under the scheme of providing nursing attendance for all classes who are far from hospitals, and often out of reach of medical aid. Her salary is paid by the Hospital Board, under which she ranks as a Sister, and all fees collected by her are on a sliding scale, and paid into the Hospital funds. She is authorised to attend cases with no fee at all if necessitous, and she will have the responsibility of deciding on the merits of cases. There is a very large field before district nurses under these conditions.