District Nursing is Christchurch

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 1 October 1927, Page 198

District Nursing is Christchurch

District Nursing m Christchurch was started by Nurse Maude m 1896, who trained m London for that purpose. The work at first was entirely supported by Lady Rhodes, who gave £100 a year and supplied a bicycle. Later on, St. Michael's and Sydenham Parishes contributed, the Rev. A. W. Averill (present Archbishop) taking a personal interest, doing all he could to further the cause. An old shop m Durham Street was rented for an office. Nurse Maude worked single handed for some years.

As time went on her work increased to such an extent it was decided to have a Committee, and appeal to the public for funds, a second nurse being required. For a short time midwifery was undertaken, but was found impracticable with general nursing.

In the course of her work Nurse Maude came across several consumptives, and was greatly troubled to know what to do with them, there being no sanatorium m those days. The late Mrs. A. J. White lent a section of land on the sandhills at New Brighton, friends and sympathisers supplied tents, the Charitable Aid Board rations, and a small camp was established. The public took the matter up with great enthusiasm, supplying funds. A larger section of land near Wainoni was obtained and twenty tents and shelters were erected for men, a marquee for a dining room, a rough shed for a cookhouse, and a small cottage for a nurse m charge, Dr. Greenwood kindly undertaking the medical supervision. The result of this work showed what could be done even m a primitive way, and it emboldened Nurse Maude to start a camp for women patients. She called a public meeting of women at the Choral Hall and made a stirring appeal for help, which was warmly responded to, money and gifts m kind being offered. A property was lent by Mrs. Florance, 20 shelters were erected by various friends, and a married nurse and her husband put m charge. Nurse Maude was assisted by Committees for both camps. Many pa-

tients benefited by the open air life and results obtained by these camps showed that the effort had been quite justified and was all a part of the District Nursing for poor patients.

To return to District Nursing proper, it might be interesting to describe what it is. It consists of daily visits to sick people m poor circumstances. The patients receive the services of a trained nurse, if necessary twice or three times a day, they are supplied with linen and all nursing requisites. The nurse has to see if there is a doctor m attendance, and leaves a form for his instructions. She sees there is sufficient food and bedding and all necessary comforts, also she inquires as to the religious denomination and puts the priest or minister m touch with them. If death takes place, the nurse prepares the body for burial.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., one nurse is there m the morning and two m the afternoon to attend to minor accidents and dressings, a large proportion of the work being the treatment of ulcerated legs. Nurse Maude is m her office during the afternoon from 2 to 4 for interviews and to receive the nurses' reports, etc. A stock of nursing utensils is kept for lending and hiring out.

Another important work is to attend all cases at the Public Morgue. This has proved a great consolation to the relatives, and has done away with the primitive methods employed m old days — the terrible dread people have of being taken to the Morgue is minimised by the knowledge that the nurses attend.

There are now nine nurses, including Nurse Maude, on the staff. Each nurse has a whole day off once a week and part of Sunday, four weeks' holiday m the summer and two m the winter. This liberal amount of rest and recreation keeps the nurses fit and cheerful, bringing a bright atmosphere into many homes.

The work is supported by a Hospital grant, public subscriptions, small thank offerings from patients, Morgue fees, and jumble sales held fortnightly at the office,

a special room having been built for the purpose. The sales are managed by a number of outside helpers.

Several business men have shown their interest by serving on the Committee, Mr. W. Recce having* been Chairman since 1911.

The Hospital Board is greatly helped financially by the District Nursing Association, as many chronics are kept m their own homes, who would otherwise

be at the expense of the Hospital Board.

Lady Rhodes is still a very large contributor to the work, and when the new offices m Madras Street were to be built gave ;£5OO, Sir Heaton giving the land. A street collection was held, the amount raised being £973, and the building was opened free of debt.

The first Annual Report showed 1,100 visits paid during the year, and the last 192G-27, 11,619.