The Blantyre Nursing Association formed in 1895, and one year later their annual business meeting took place on Thursday 9th January 1896, reporting on its progress. This happened exactly 128 years ago today.
In such times before welfare, this was an important organisation able to deploy doctors and nurses throughout Blantyre to people of all ages, for a reasonable cost covering their wages and expenses and in later times, a standard callout fee.
Their first meeting took place in the Livingstone Memorial Church Hall. Dr Wilson presided and he was accompanied on the platform by Rev Messrs Pryde, Paterson, Campbell and Hugh. There was a good turnout of ladies.
The Chairman said that since the origin of the Association a year ago, subscriptions had come in and the Association had been actively working throughout the year. Indeed, it seemed to him now rather a wonder who such an organisation could NOT exist in Blantyre, such was the unfortunate need for care and medical attention. It was due, he thought to Mrs Cunningham that the association owed its origin. With regard to office bearers, he had been told by a reliable source (if ones wife could be considered a reliable source – laughter) that the meetings had all been very well attended and the Association was now an established entity. The services of Miss Scott then got a huge applause when it was explained what a significant service she had provided to the poor people of Blantyre, especially in the recent case of typhoid breaking out at Larkfield. In cases of fever, he said nursing was of paramount importance.
It was suggested that having seen so many children die that year, that some sort of pamphlet or leaflet should be circulated amongst mothers with regard to births, feeding and care of their infant children. Such a leaflet it was thought could have saved so many of the unnecessary deaths.
He also spoke of the need for a cottage hospital, now that Blantyre was large enough to accommodate a building of that sort. The treasurers reports was then read where income for the year was £145 19s 5d (about £26,000 in todays money). Expenditure was £109 1s 6d.
However, the next statistics were quite shocking. With 169 serious cases requiring long term care and multiple visits, the number of nurse visits in 1895 to Blantyre homes amounted to…..3,251!
Mr Pryde, in accepting the report said the funds could not have been in better hands. After the office bearers were re-elected, the business of the day concluded.
AI rather imaginatively creates the scene exclusively for Blantyre Project.
