SOCIAL SERVICE.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XXII, Issue 4, 1 November 1929, Page 203

SOCIAL SERVICE.

That a hospital has need of a Social Service Department as part of its component activities m the care of the sick, is universally accepted. The oft-told story the woman at an out-patient's clinic who was prescribed a tonic to improve her appetite, while the cupboard was bare at home, is no longer needed to emphasise need for social service. A physical restoration unaccompanied by a restoration of self-respect, suitable occupation, and satisfaction with life, is but at best a part service. The most effective Social Service worker is the nurse who has added training m social service to her nursing. Social welfare is a very proper field of service for the nurse with her knowledge of physical and psychic illness so often at the root of social disorders. Hut even more important is the nurse's ease of contact with the (patients') subjects of this work. There is also her experience m contact with the medical authority. As a prominent member of the Victorian Order of Nurses put it : "The entrance of nurse m her familiar uniform to a cottage kitchen who rolls up her sleeves and proceeds to show how a simple service can be easily done, is much more convincing as a preparatory introduction that any other introduction." In France, an endeavour to combine the functions of health nurse, district nurse and social service is proceeding. In New Zealand, with its already established services for children and for mothers, an opportunity for such a scheme is surely present. It needs hardly be mentioned that successful Social Service is only possible for a woman with a missionary spirit — it is more, perhaps, even than other services vocational. It would seem otherwise a satisfactory work for nurses who are widows or who, for other reasons, resume nursing or al-

lied work. A right minimum age for Social Welfare workers has been stated to be thirty years. A copy of the curriculum for this course, as used at McGill University, Montreal, has been handed to the Secre-tary-General. A modification of such a course might be considered if arranged solely for graduate nurses. "Maternal Care." That this Branch of Nursing should have its place m the equipment of a fully trained general nurse is a matter of course — everywhere. Various schemes to ensure this prevail to suit differ en t countries. Practically everywhere it is m the syllabus. In Canada a three months' course at an affiliated maternity hospital — often even during the student's second year — is given. Maternity hospitals being under the same authority as the general hospital makes this as simple a matter as sending a student to a different ward m general hospital. This averts all difficulty of supply of students, as some maternity hospitals m New Zealand experience. Besides being of value m the study of Gynaecological cases, the students gains thus some knowledge m the care of young infants — not always available m small schools of nursing for general training. That technique is the important feature for safety m maternal care was a commonly expressed opinion. In Holland, where this work is highly developed, mothers are cared for m their homes, and a low maternal mortality prevails. In the City of Montreal (not m Canada Dominion), with a very low mortality rate, poor mothers are nursed m their homes by the Victorian Order Nurses (district nurses). There, nurses care also for other cases avoiding only infectious cases during their obstetrical service. So confident are they m their technique that they would be willing to nurse even infectious cases simultaneously, but refrain m cases of popular disapproval. The recommendation of the New Zealand Council of Matrons that maternity

hospitals be supplied with fourth year student nurses seems therefore m line with international ideas concerning- study of maternal care.

Airs. Tracy Inglis then introduced Miss Bicknell, Director of Nursing, who attended the International Conference as President of the Association.

Miss Bicknell touched on the lighter side of the Conference. She spoke of the excellent organisation and the quiet courtesy of all the Canadian nurses, commencing with their reception at Victoria on arrival.

Before the actual business of the Conference commenced, the Board of Directors were conveyed by special train to Ottawa, where they were the guests of the Ottawa nurses. On their arrival at the Houses of Parliament they were welcomed by Premier King, and then shown the Hall of Memories, where the nurses' memorial is placed. New Zealand and South Africa placed a wreath at the base of the memorial, inscribed : "To our fallen comrades from the sister Dominions, Xew Zealand and South Africa."

The day was completed with a banquet at the Chateau Laurier.

This day was of great interest and gave Miss Bicknell an opportunity of meeting many of those she had met formerly at Copenhagen and m England.

The reception of the five new countries which have joined the International Council — Brazil, Greece, Sweden, Czechoslovakia and the Philippines — was a very picturesque ceremony. Each new country was received by some one representing a continent. Xew Zealand, representing the Australian Continent, received Greece.

The candidate for membership marched up on the platform, preceded by a Girl Guide carrying that country's flag, and after a short address of welcome, was presented with a bouquet of roses.

Miss Bicknell emphasised the need for future Conferences to send three or four delegates, including the President, as the amount of work to be done was far too much for one person. Justice could not be done with the material available.

It was decided to hold the Conferences differently m future, with 41 countries represented it makes the meetings too large. The next Conference will be held m Paris and Brussels m 1933. Mdlle. Chaptal has been elected President for the enusing period. Miss Bicknell concluded by reading* extracts from the retiring President's address (Miss Gage), m which she pointed out the similarity of nursing problems all the world over, and how much we owe to our nursing pioneers m legislation, quoting, among others. Grace Neill, of New Zealand. Miss Gage concluded with the new watchword of the International Council, "Service," which is to be the aim of all. Very hearty votes of thanks to Miss Bicknell and Aliss McKenny were proposed by Mrs. Tracy Inglis and carried by acclamation. In giving her impressions of an outstanding nature, Miss McKenny was deeply impressed by the modesty and disinterestedness of everyone, and their anxiety to bring to notice and eulogise the work of others. Their wonderful cooperation should be imitated by all ; it even extended itself to the uniting of all

sects for the care and entertaining of the delegates. Another very interesting phase was the meeting of medical men at frequent intervals, when they lay before the company their failures — not their successes — and their reasons for non-success. There is a passion for progress and efficiency. At Montreal there was wonderful organisation, beginning at the railway station with courtesy, kindliness, enthusiasm and perfect hospitality characterised the whole atmosphere of the Conference throughout. Miss McKenny spoke feelingly of the honour done her by the Association m asking her to go. She first touched upon the International Hospital Congress. Her invitation to attend the Congress came m too late to refer to the Branches to appoint her their accredited delegate, but she acted as such. At this Congress, which was held at Atlantic City, two nurses only, among hundreds of men, were present — herself and a nurse from Norway. They were both proud to be there representing two countries so far apart.

A full report of this Congress will be received later.