A PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 45, 17 November 1926, Page 3

A PUBLIC SERVICE

DISTRICT NURSING GUILD WORK ALL TOO LITTLE KNOWN 1 The annual meeting of the District Nursing Guild of St. John was held yesterday afternoon in the Sydney Street Schoolroom, Dr. Young presiding. Among the representatives of the various societies were Airs. .McVicar (Plunket Society, Hospital Board, and Children’s Court), Miss Stott (matron of Public Hospital), Commandant Sinton (Salvation Army), Mrs. Martin (Convalescent Home), Dr. Platts-Mills (St. John Ambulance Brigade), Mrs Helyer, and ladies of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and Mrs. Sprott. Mrs. Stace (president), said that the reason of the meeting was to make the work well known. Hitherto the guild had been working in the dark. A fund had been formed to keep two nurses, but it was now too small and help was wanted. Next year a meeting was to be held with the object of extending the work and getting another nurse. A tribute was paid to the work of the late president, Mrs. Balcombe-Brown, who has resigned on account of illhealth, and Miss Rowley, who as honorary secretary has worked hard for many years by Mrs. Stace, who also wished to thank the Victoria College Social Service, the A’.W.C.A. Girls’ Club for helping with their children’s parties, and the Khandallab Sick-Poor Guild, wlrq make clothes, collect clothes and money and help with the guild’s annual children’s treat. Mrs. Stace explained the difference between the District Nursing Guild of St. JoliUj which was established in 1900 and is a branch of the Order of St. John District Nursing Guild in England, and the St John Ambulance Brigade. The two were not connected in business or work, but the St. John purses helped the guild nurses. Dr. Yopug said that until the branch of the District Nursing Guild of St. John took up the work here, there were no nurses for the sick poor, and as there was not room for all in the hospital, many were really better off in their homes with visits from the nurses. Indeed, the nurses were in many cases of more use than doctors, and had more work than could be done. During the year 1888 visits had been paid to homes and 546 cases had been received at the office. The nurses would undertake any case', and oftentimes went on her own responsibility, therefore there was no unnecessary delay. Their strenuous work was carried on in all weather, and under all conditions, often with a shortage of equipment. Nurse Walshe had carried on for many years, until she was worn out, and deserved the thanks of the public and committee.

“The nurses are refused free passes on the trams by the City Council,” he said, “and receive no subsidy from the Hospital Board. We can only hope that they will subsidise us.” Dr. Agnes Bennett said that the work was not recognised as it should be by the public, and they should be educated so that the work done would not be so necessary. Nurses were now more easily procurable than they were, and 241 additional case-patients were registered last year. That meant four or five more cases each week. If the wotk were better known more could be done “There is no question,” she said, “that the hospital is more taxed than ever, and a good nursing service would make more room in • the hospitals.” Dr. Bennett also urged that the guild find better offices than the cottage they had in Ghuznee Street. “The.public would doubtless help,” she “if thev were approached more strongly.” Mrs. McVicar said that the hospital had no jurisdiction over the sick outside their buildings, and the board should be asked to subsidise the city nurses, as thev subsidise districts as far as Paraparaumu. “As to the position of the City Council regarding the tramway passes, they are afraid of establishing a precedent,” she said; “no other society has free passes, but it possibly inav be managed.’ Dr. Palmer referred to the excellent work of the nurses in and around town. They were always ready to help at any hour. They kept people from filling the beds at the hospitals, which was a good thing. He paid a tribute to the late Sister Macandrew, who was a life member of the guild, and always willing to work. “The work is a labour of love,” he concluded, “and the nurses deserve the highest praise for the help they give to the needy sick.” Dt Platts-Mills spoke of the work of Mother Marv Aubert, who had her sisters taught home-nursing and who helped the district nurses. She proposed that a message of condolence be sent to the Home of Compassion from the guild. A vote of sympathy was passed, all Standing. Mrs Strong, on behalf of the Nursing Guild, thanked the speakers and expressed the guild’s appreciation of the work of the president (Mrs. Stace). Mrs. Stace said that soon they hoped to have their own building, where business could be attended to, and where there could be quarters for the nurses. She appealed, for help and funds, and hoped for the time when all the Orders could work together for the common good.