PLUNKET SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 138, 8 December 1938, Page 18

PLUNKET SOCIETY

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Several matters of interest were brought forward at the last meeting for the year of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society at which Mrs. Jowett (president) presided.

The sub-committees reported a very successful year, and a large increase in the numbers of subscribing mothers in their districts.

The charge nurse stated that in the pre-natal section there had been 215 visits during the past month, with 30 new cases, and 136 expectant mothers were under supervision; (post-natal) 163 new baby cases, 125 breast-fed (27 partially), and 11 artificially. Homes visited numbered 1389, and 2811 adults, 2500 babies, and 318 children visited the rooms. In the pre-school section 16 new cases were transferred from the post-natal department; 266 adults, and 273 older children visited the rooms during the month. It was gratifying to be able to state that the general health of mothers and children had improved and measles and colds were disappearing.

The*, hospital has also been very busy. The matron stated that nine mothers and 13 babies were admitted j ! during the month, with four mothers and 18 babies remaining at the hospital at tne end of the month. There were 569 visitors also, including parties of i children from the Junior Red Cross,, Thorn don, Kiltaimie Convent, Mira-J j mar Central, and Roseneath Schools—! j about 110 in all. The children were shown a bathing demonstration, and a [kind thought on the part of the convent children was.to bring oranges for the babies. i EDUCATIONAL. A refresher course for nurses was held in the Kent Terrace rooms, and a letter of appreciation was received from Dr. McLean (Medical Officer of Health). On November 6 nurses sat for their final examination, and Nurses Ffitch and Sutherland completed their, training and left the hospital. Miss McClurg left for 12 months' absence overseas. Miss Paynter resigned on account %f her approaching marriage, Miss Campbell taking her district, and Miss West replacing the latter. Miss Slater has taken Eastbourne and Wadestown, filling the place of Miss McMillan.

Thanks were expressed to all who helped to make the recent bazaar a success, £60 being obtained. The amount raised by the Plunket nurses at the garden party has reached £27. The "left over" goods are on show in the waiting-room, and it is hoped to dispose of all before Christmas. Gratitude was expressed to the many friends who send in parcels of clothing, flowers, etc., and special mention was made of the services of the voluntary drivers whose assistance to the nurses on their long rounds, so willingly given, is greatly appreciated. These include Mesdames Aiken, Richardson, Woods, Luke, Lee Jones, Meacham, Burke, Jack, HCnry, Tomplinson, Atkinson, Mclnnes, Bassant, Tripe, Weston, Whyte, Meadowcroft, Misses Newton, Myers, and Kember.