Village Nurse (1893)

Post date: Aug 30, 2012 1:54:51 PM

Extract from Parish magazine of September 1893:

VILLAGE NURSE

Mrs. Woodhall, the Village Nurse in Wateringbury, will not commence her work until after the hopping as her apartments are not available for her till then. It may interest our readers to know the substance of the rules under which she will work. We subjoin some of the principal rules, but these are open to revision or modifications, not having yet been definitely passed.

1. The Nurse is to be employed in the Village of Wateringbury, and in families living in Nettlestead where the husband's employment is in Wateringbury; the employer being an Annual Subscriber of at least £1 to the Nurse Fund.

2. The Nurse is to attend only in the households of such as live by daily or weekly wages, or by piece work, and also of such persons as receive parish relief.

3. The services of the Nurse are free, and she must not under any circumstances receive payment from those she attends, or from their friends.

4. She is always to provide her own food and drink; except Tea when sitting up at night, which will be given her by those with whom she is.

5. Except in special cases the Nurse will sleep at her own home.

6. She is to assist in the house of the patient in any way that circumstances require, in so far as the work is approved by the Committee.

7. The Nurse is not allowed to attend confinements or infectious complaints unless under exceptional circumstances, and when leave has been given by the Committee.

_

The Committee consist of the clergy of Wateringbury and Nettlestead , and of the medical men attending cases which are eligible for the services of the Nurse.

In November 1893 the magazine reported as follows:

The Village Nurse.- Mrs. Woodhall has entered on her duties, and her services have been already found to be a great boon to the sick. Further donations to the Nurse's Fund will be thankfully received by the Vicar.

In June 1894 :

VILLAGE NURSE'S FUND

The Vicar thankfully acknowledges receipt of subscriptions from Mrs. H. White , Mrs Reeves, Mrs Dawson Scott, Mrs Houghton Brown, Mrs John Harris, Miss King and the Rev. W.F.Cobb. Further subscriptions are needed.

See also Village Nurse (1908/09).