The Barstow Convalescent Home for Soldiers, Epsom, Auckland

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 4, 1 October 1915, Page 165

The Barstow Convalescent Home for Soldiers, Epsom, Auckland

This splendid institution was opened by the Hospital Board last month. It has been equipped and is being maintained on rather unique lines. The building is the property of the Hospital Board and was put m repair and adapted by that body, who is responsible for its administration and maintenance. The ladies of the Epsom Nursing Division of St. John Ambulance Association offered to fully equip and staff the institution under a trained sister. After due consultation with their medical and lady Superintendents at the Hospital, the Board accepted this offer on condition that the hours on duty, etc., for the Ambulance workers could be arranged to the lady Superintendent's approval. This was done, and under Sister Worthington, who has undertaken the management at a very small salary, the Superintendent of the Epsom " Nursing" Division, Miss Firth, ably manages and regulates the duties m connection with the Home which are all performed voluntarily, by eleven of these ladies, only two of whom however, at a time, sleep and live at the Home. Seeing that there are only beds for twenty-five convalescents at the Home, none likely to require much, if any, nursing, this sounds a ridiculously large staff ; but it must be remembered that most of these workers have home duties of their own to attend to, and can only give a' limited time. It was at first greatly doubted if any institution, even a convalescent home, could be successfully worked on these lines, and it must be confessed that to those best conversant with institution administration, it appeared a very doubtful experiment ; but due to Sister Worthington's tactful management, Miss Firth's good organising ability and the sensible and willing cooperation of the Ambulance ladies, the scheme has so far proved a great success.

This is abundantly evident from the greatest gratitude expressed by the men for the care and comfort, and the happy time they enjoy, also from the spotless order of the whole place, and clockwork regularity with regard to meals, lights, hours on duty of staff, etc. The ladies of St. John Epsom Division deserve the warmest appreciation of their work, not only for the provision of the splendid equipment, but for the fine work they are doing m staffing the place. : , There are fifteen convalescents m at present, those who are lame use the dormitories downstairs ; upstairs and down these are most comfortably furnished. There are polished floors and bedside rugs everywhere, white hospital beds, and white enamelled lockers. Ample store rooms for patients' clothes and belongings, well-filled linen closets, etc., The large lounge room is furnished with plenty of comfortable chairs and lounges, pictures, and a beautiful new piano which is a recent gift ; cushions and lots of good reading matter have been supplied. The dining-room set for dinner looked most inviting, and the appetising smell from the spotless kitchen where the ladies who ably administer that most telling department were conjuring over the shining gas stoves is, I am sure, from the soldiers' point of view, the crowning success of the whole institution. Barstow House stands m spacious and beautiful grounds where there are nice lawns, shady trees and comfortable seats, nothing conducive to a happy time and a quick recovery for our gallant invalids seems to be missing. The object has been to make the place as little like an institution and as much a home as possible. Kind friends take the men for drives and motor rides, and leave is allowed until 10 p.m. (sharp) every evening if desired.