ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1047, 18 November 1947, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

SUPPORT FROM WHAKATANE INTERESTING ADDRESSES t At the meeting called by. the \ Mayor, Mr. T. G. Johnson, for the ‘ purpose of forming a St. John Ambulance Association, some interest- ‘ ing facts were given by the visitors ' from Whakatane, who have one of 1 best organisations in the Dominion. ] Mr. Carling, vice-president of the Whakatane Association, said that the set up of the association comprised a committee of persons not necessarily having first-aid knowledge. Their job was to start the ; classes. In Whakatane It had not been possible to have the services of doctors as lecturers for some time, Jay lecturers having carried on, the doctors taking the examinations. Harmony had always existed between thc-associatiou and the brigade. The work of the association extended right throughout the Whakatane County, and there was no pface where lectures were not conducted. The people are right behind them because they know that if the ambulance is required it will go anywhere and is appreciated. There arc brigades at the Paper Mills, Edgeeuinbe and Taneatua, with nursing divisions at Whakatane and one being formed at Taneatua. Assistance with regard to the cost is given by the Hospital Board. The labour for erecting their, training hall was all voluntary, the hail costing about £2009, but was worth probably twice as much. Success would be gained by co-operation, and not in finding excuses why it could not be done. It could be done just as well in Opotiki as in Whakatane. It was not necessary to stress the importance of first aid. There was always plenty of work to do in that direction. When the ■ ambulance went out it would be necessary to have a good unit of the nursing division for lady patients.

The next speaker was Mr. Ramson, who said that he had been trying to interest the people of Opotiki, who had a big district to cover, the Coast being a very scattered area. If a brigade were formed Opotiki would be in a position to handle an ambulance when it is obtained. In Whakatane the Hospital Board undertook to take over and maintain the ambulance. The brigade acted upon the instructions of the doctors who had sole control to say where it had to go. There were 16 in the brigade, two going on duty each week so that each member had a turn every eight weeks. Any of the doctors could telephone for the ambulance to go to a certain place. The nurses were -doing as much training as were the men. The course consisted of one night a. week for ten weeks to sit for the examination. Sixteen were required to form a brigade, but a start could be made with 12 provided the strength was brought up to 16 on the following year.

In reply to a question by Mr. Kemp regarding finances, Mr. Carling replied that there was. not a lot of cost in starting. In Whakatane a circular letter was sent out to all (residents, and every local body contributed. Very few people turned them down. An honorary member’s fee was 5/-. Mention was made of several needy trips that had been made.

Mr. Patterson, a member of the Whakatane Brigade said that for a brigade starting without an ambulance it wa«' > a bit of a hurdle. The brigade had been called to a few cases where it had not been possible to obtain a doctor at the time. They had basketball, footbal) and hockey matches to attend.

Mr. Ramson said that last year the Whakatane Brigade attended over 1000 cases, some being minor cases. The Whakatane /Brigade alone had attended in 1912, 41 cases; 1943, 93; |944, 138'; 1945, 155; 1946, 432, 1947, 688. Last year 154 calls were received by the ambulance; which did not include the figures previously given. The doctors were being pushed and sometimes the doctors would send a team out when they could not attend a case themselves. A fund of at least £25 to £3O was needed for a start. Some of the sports clubs in Whakatane had increased their subscriptions by 1/-, the extra amount going to the brigade. It cc-st them £l per week to keep the boxes equipped. Mr. Dillicar, secretary of the Whakatane Association also spoke, adding a touch of humour to the meeting. Whakatane raised £350 to £4OO by way of annual appeal. The nursing division held a stall and there were various other efforts.