ROSLYN DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 3

ROSLYN DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION

A largely-attended meeting of women interested in the newly-formed Roslyn District Nursing Association was held in Roslyn on Wednesday afternoon. , Mr j, Moir, who, was in the chair, spoke'of the help given" in the early stages of relief work and of the assistance given by the various local relief depots. The Roslyn District Nursing Association was the'result of the decision made at a public meeting held on April'l6 in Kaikorai, School, when the need for such a service was placed before those present. Mrs A. R.-. Falconer said that the Roslyn Relief Committee had been brought closely in touch with many relief workers and their families. and others who through the depression and unemployment had had to seek assistance. Almost invariably the exceptionally needy cases had been due to. sickness, and the help which the depot was empowered to give was inadequate for the needs of these families. There were some on small wages who received no assistance from any depot and others in reduced circumstances who could not afford the cost of the services, of a private nurse, but they could and would give a little for the services of a district nurse. The two St. John Ambulance nurses and their assistant did excellent work—all honour to them—but how could they cope with the whole of the city? With the best intentions in the world the work of the best nurse would be materially , hampered when she found in many homes a shortage of food, bedding, clothing, and other necessities. The Women s Committee asked for the interest and sympathy of the women of. the district to help procure for the nurse what was necessary. .Help could be given in the way of clothes, furniture, bedding, etc., or any kind of food, but especially • soup, for the sick ' and. for undernourished children. Another way in which help could be given was by becoming a member of the - association for a subscription of 5s pqy year, a sustaining member for £1 per year, or a life member for a donation of £25. Donations could be given to any member of the coinmittee ■or be left at the rooms; 104 a Highgate, any day except Saturday and_ Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. In helping those 'of their own district the committee felt that, the community as a whole was benefited, and. others might profit by their experience. Nurse Kimnont spoke of the work of the Nurse Maude Nursing Association in Christchurch, and the Roslyn Associaton hoped to organise their district on similar lines. Nurse Maude Lad for thirty-eight years run a most satisfactory system of district nursing and had the confidence and support of the whole city. She had eight nurses who worked within a three-mile radiusof the city. No set charge for treatment was made, but all who could possibly afford to pay were expected to do so, one shilling per visit being the minimum charge. Those who could not afford that, small sum were treated free. On the other hand any patient who could afford to pay 5s a visit was handed over to the Trained Nurses’ Association, for competition with that organisation was most carefully avoided. The clothing department was run by a committee of ladies who arranged the articles for sale at a very cheap rate, and all funds, went to the association. In cases of real need goods were given free. During the past five weeks numerous cases in the district have been visited, and since the completion of the rooms last week many patients had come there for treatment. and advice. Parcels of clothing, old linen, etc., had been sent along, and the contents were much appreciated in many homes. The committee thanked all who had helped in this way.

Dr Falconer told- how the rooms were being fitted up by means of gilts from various firms and private persons. They would bo' officially opened on Wednesday, June 27, at 3 p.m, The system under which the local association worked had the approval of the Direetm • Genera! of Health. New Zealand lagged behind other countries

in its ixui'siug sei'vice, which in the past had done excellent work, but now a national organisation consolidating tho various district nursing schemes in town and country was urgently inquired. When such a national nursing scheme came into operation the Roslyn Association would be linked up with it.

The meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr Moir for presiding and to the speakers and to the Salvation Army for the use of the hall.