THE NURSING CLUB
We are sorry to learn from Nurse Beesley that, after giving the Badsey district a three months' trial, she finds it quite impossible to earn a living wage under existing arrangements. Unless, therefore, something can be done without delay to provide hey with more adequate remuneration for her work, the parish and neighbourhood must very shortly be deprived of her services. Nurse Beesley has already established such a reputation for skill and attention, and kindness, that it would be a mere waste of time to emphasize the loss to all concerned which her withdrawal from the district would mean. The Vicar is most anxious that such a calamity should be averted, and invites all those who share his anxiety to attend a meeting at the Parish Room, on Tuesday, February 13th, to consider the situation and see what can be done. One possible way out of the present difficulty would be to form a Nursing Club, on the lines of the ordinary medical club, the members of which would be entitled to the services of the nurse on payment of the existing fees, whilst non-members would have to pay double fees before the nurse undertook the case. This is of course merely one of many possible suggestions. It must be clearly understood, once and for all, that if we are to have a resident nurse, willing to devote the whole of her time to her profession, the district as a whole will have to contribute substantially towards her support. Whether Nurse Beesley remains with us or not will depend in a large measure on the number of households represented at the meeting to beheld on the 13th, and everyone desirous of retaining her services should make an effort to attend.
A Public Meeting was held at the Vicarage on Tuesday, February 13th, at which it was unanimously decided to inaugurate a Nursing Club for the benefit of the parishes of Badsey, Aldington, and Wickhamford, The Vicar was asked to act as Treasurer, with Mrs. Hands, Mrs. R. Taylor, and Miss Sharpe as Sub-Treasurers. It was agreed that rules should be drawn up by a Committee, consisting of Mrs. H. Byrd, Mrs. A. Evans, Mrs. Hands, Miss Idiens, Mrs. H. Keen, Miss Sharpe, Mrs. Sladden, Mrs. R. Taylor. Miss Whitford, Mr. Geo. Jones, and the Vicar. The Committee met at the Vicarage on Friday, February 16th, and drew up a set of rules, copies of which have been circulated throughout the three parishes. If, after a six-months' trial, the Club is found to be receiving insufficient support to justify its continuance, it will be dissolved, and the subscriptions of those members who have never had occasion to call in the Nurse will be returned.
At a meeting of the Nursing Club held at the Vicarage on Tuesday, September 11th, it was unanimously agreed to wind up the Club at the end of September, in accordance with the terms appended to the rules. The Nurse's total net receipts from the Club (subscriptions and fees) for the six months ended August 31st give an average annual income of £32, for which stipend it is of course absurd to expect to command the services of a professional nurse - especially one so able and skilful as Nurse Beesley. If any really general support had been given to the Club it would certainly have proved a success, but we know of people in Badsey who were not above accepting Nurse Beesley's services for nothing before the Club was formed, who have carefully refrained from contributing the modest penny per week. Without depending upon subscriptions, however, the Club might have succeeded if the Club Nurse had had the whole of the district work, and, before the Club was started, the Vicar received an assurance from Mrs. Stewart that she did not intend to practice again but Mrs. Stewart has once more changed her mind. We are already hearing expressions of anxiety as to the future, but it is extremely doubtful whether such anxiety will be allayed by the advent of another professional nurse. On one point, however, there can be no manner of doubt should another nurse ever come to Badsey, she will be almost too good for this world, for only a woman possessed of faith, hope and charity of the celestial order would ever venture to settle in a parish where the last of her kind had been literally starved out. Nurse Beesley's new address is Ash Hurst, Great Hampton, and she asks us to state that she will always make an effort to attend any old Club members who may require her services.