FOR FUTURE EPIDEMICS

Dominion, 14 March 1919, Page 4

FOR FUTURE EPIDEMICS

TRAINED RESERVE FOR WOMEN. (Special Correspondent.) Palmerston North, March 13. As an outcome of the recent epidemic, and with a view to removing the disability under which the whole community laboured, a proposal of general interest to the Dominion was discussed by the Palmerston North Hospital Boa.rd to-day, when a special report was submitted by the Matron, .Miss Mr. M'Lagan. The report had to, do with (lie possibility of forming a reserve corps of partiallytrained nurses for emergency use in the district ill case _of another outbreak of the' epidemic. The Matron suggested, inter alia, that the board request all women between the ages of 19 and 40, who Mould be willing to give their services in time of need, to send in their names to the secretary of the board. Miss M'Lngan suggested that the applicants be required to conform with certain regulations. One of • these was that tlie.v should go right into (lie hospital and live in the Nurses' Home and obey the rules of the institution for a fortnight, and to attend a series' of special lectures. The Matron mentioned that she. had consulted with the resident medical officer, and he had assured her of his co-operntion. They could handle four pupils at a time, and give these a very fair idea of helping with any medical case. In carrying out this scheme, not only would the board have a staff to fall back on, but it' was hoped it would be a great help to all women who tcok up homes of their own.

The scheme found general favour with members of the board, and was strongly advocated by Dr. E.'AYhita'fcer, who enlarged upon the benefits to be derived under the proposed system of elementary training. The recent epidemic had strikingly illustrated the value and the necessity of having in the community more women schooled in some measure in elementary nursing. In the course of a general discussion it was explained that the pupils should be selected from various points throughout the district, so that in the ease of another epidemic these specially trained workers would be widely distributed.

Jji virtually commitlinj? itself_ to the scheme, the. board delegated Dr. Whitaker to specially advertise for applicants for tile projected course of _ training, and a special committee, comprising Mrs. Crabb, Dr. Whitaker, anil Mr. Nash, was set up to bring down a report on the matter in conjunction with the Matron.