TRAINING OF ALMONERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 52, 24 November 1937, Page 4

TRAINING OF ALMONERS

Suggested Social Science Course in Universities WORK IN HOSPITALS A suggestion that a social-scicnce course might well be included in the curriculum of universities, or training colleges, in New Zealand, was made by Miss R. Middleton, Children 's Almoner at St. Thomas 's Hospital, London, iu an interview ih Hastings last evening. Miss Middleton is en route to Rotorua in continuation of her holiday tour of the Dominion. * "The work of the almoner is varied and almost unlimited in scope," said Miss Middleton. She went on to say that the almoner was ssecially chosen, understanding and personality being among the qualities that eounted most. Almoners underwent training of two to three years at college and in hospital. and though their work had much in common with that of nursing, she did not agree that a nurse would necessarily make a good almoner, any more than an almoner would be looked upon as a good nurse. Only recently the London County Council had appointed 37- trained almoners for its various institutions, aiid now it was generally recognised that there should be at least one' almoner in every hospital. It was usual to have an in-patient almoner to do their work alone. Indeed, she said, many hospitals have several almoners on their staff.In her opinion there should be available at universities, or training colleges, a special social- science course which is the foundation for the training of all types of social work, from, faetory welfare-workers to probation officers, to mention just a rauge.