The Daily News TUESDAY, AUGUST 25. NURSES FOR THE COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 209, 25 August 1908, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, AUGUST 25. NURSES FOR THE COUNTRY.

Tin; proposal brought forward at yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board by Uie chairman (llr. i''red. Bellringer) ill the directum of extending the practical functions of tho Hospital to tliu homes of country settlers by stationing trained nurses at suitable centres, is one, Llial is sure to be hailed with acclamation by the cunuiiunities directly concerned. Whether it be under the aegis of Government, charitable institution, or publi.: hospital, such a proposal is one that had evel'V't liing to recommend it, :tn<i nothing can be urged against it. illready in the cities, partly under a Gov-ernment-subsidised system, and in some cases wholly linanceil by religious bodies, trained nurses arc gratuitously placed at the call of the poorer classes; how much more necessary is it that some measure of skilled knowledge, should ht within reach of country people who, lie cause of their comparative isolation, are placed at a serious and often fatal disadvantage in the matter of prompt attention at sickness ? Wc have little doubt the proposal will be warmly em.bruced by. the country districts to which it is to' be referred, and that it will speedily traverse its preliminary course to successful establishment. To our

mind, the scheme proposed will he but the forerunner of one of greater usefuiness —the establishment at such place? as Rahotu, lnglewood, and Uruti of small eottage hospitals as adjuncts to the central hospital at New Plymouth. Particularly in eases of emergency or infectious disorders, where it frequently happens tluvt it is that patients should be treated at their own homes, and also not in their own or the interests of public health that they should be conveyed to New Plymouth by coach or train, the existence of a small eottage hospital, provided with an isolation chamber, would be a niiK'happreeiated provision. Meantime, however, we are satisfied that the proposal is a wise step i» the right direction, requiring only elaboration on a workable basis to bo cordially accepted by the country people when the opportunity of so doing is afforded them,