St John Review (1988)

JOHN MILLS,

Director of Public Relations, outlines our

PRAIMS 1988

INEVITABLY, during 1987 the PR emphasis in St John has been on the Brigade and its Centenary. In 1988, as well as continuing to publicise the Brigade, it will be necessary to maintain a balance that will ensure an increased public awareness of the Association activities, in particular that of FAW and public first aid courses. The FAW courses are a vital source of revenue and it is important for the future of St John that our market share of these courses is not only maintained but increased. Careful 'targeting' is of course vital.

There is little awareness of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital, not only among the general public, but also within St John. In order to raise money for the hospital it is vital that this awareness level is raised.

The awareness attained during the Centenary Year has made most counties realise, at last , that PR is an essential and effective tool to get money and recruits. This needs to be positively encouraged, and

therefore a high priority will be given to PR plans to assist and encourage county PR activity.

Public relations is not something to be left to public relations officers - each and everyone can help. On average, a total of 800 casualties are treated by Brigade members every day, and over 200,000 people take St John courses during the year, we have 61,000 members of the Brigade, nearly 32,000 trained first-aiders in the Special Centres - in all, we will come into direct contact with about half a million people during this year. Each time anyone of us has contact in any way with a member of the public , there is an opportunity to put over a message.

Starting this month , and continuing through the year, each issue of the Review will carry a publicity 'message of the month to enable us all to put over the same points throughout the country at the same time. The highspot will be the 'Awareness Week' June 24 to July 3.

THE JANUARY PR MESSAGE

1. St John Ambulance is NOT part of the National Health Service and does NOT receive government support.

2. We have to BUY our ambulances and equipment.

3. The Order (i)f St John comprises St John Ambulance AND the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.

Please help to spread the word - to EVERYONE - the casualty you are treating, the person to whom you are teaching first aid, your friends, relatives, the milkman, your hairdresser .!

If we all work together as an enormous team, we will succeed in making our work known and we will all reap the long-term benefits - more money and more recruits.

National HQ John Mills

ST JOHN REVIEW

THE JOURNAL OF ST JOHN Volume 61 No.1

January 1988

Contents

PR Aims 1988 Inside Front Cover

Raffle Winners p.l

Centenary Appeal p.2

New Chief Welfare Officer

The great Train Naming Ambulance Rally p.6 p.3 p.4

Around and About by the Editor p.8

SJA Block Buster (9) by Vic Helmore p.12

Cadet Focus by Jim p .13

Teamwork p.14

An Approach to Assessment by Clifford C. Smith p.15

SuppliesUpdate p.16

New ambulance for Belfast p.17

Readers' Views p.18

News from Wales - Overseas p.20

St John Fellowship p.20

National First Aid Competitions p 21

Champions of the Cross, Part 19 (final) by Hugh A. R. Edgell p.22

1987 RAFFLE WINNERS

THE DRAW for the much acclaimed SJA National Raffle took place on the morning of December 2 1987. Lord Westbury, Chairman of the St John Ambulance Brigade Centenary Appeal, and Paul Bumstead, County Liaison Officer , drew the winning tickets. Here are the prizes and the six lucky winners:

1st Prize 1988 Austin Metro 1.3L 3-door saloon dark blue. Winner: Walters, 8 Hamlim Lane , Exeter. Ticket No 283600.

2nd Prize Seven-day cruise for two on the Queen Elizabeth II, from Southampton to Southampton to the maximum value of £1,800. Winner: Mrs D. Whatmore, Sheldisdon, Craven Arms. Ticket No. 202270.

3rd Prize A weekend break for two at London's Churchill Hotel during period from Friday, December 4 1987 until the beginning of April 1988. For two nights only, including English breakfast. Winner: J Ponting 331 Alder Road , Poole Dorset. Ticket No. 260008.

4th Prize Phillips 14 inch portable colour television. Winner: Mr D. Goode, c/o The Bury Hope , Leominster. Ticket No. 262002.

EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS Ed.ite

Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 30F Advertising rates on req uest. Phone : Orford (0394) 450548. Editor: Frank Driscoll.

Printed by: Hills & Lacy Limited , London and Reading

Contributions-________________

Contributions to the St John Review are always welcome. They should be treble line spacing, on one side of paper only (if in longhand plea e i nnt names of people , place, etc), and send to the ectitorial address above f possible supp ly a phone number for the writer. Material can vary from a paragraph for Around and About to a 5,000 word article - but it should all have some connection with St John and its work Photographs should be floSSY black and white prints or good quality colour prints, n ot negatives or ransparencles. If photographs are to be returned , write on the back RETURN and nam e and addres Press day is the 1st of the month prece dmg the cover date.

5th Prize litre bottle of Famous Grouse Whisky. WInner: Thomas Collins , 5 Dais yhill Park , Steels Town Road, Derry, Northern Ireland. Ticket No. 319831.

6th Prize U.S. gallon bottle of Beefeater Gin Winner: J. Smith , 22 Elmdale Road East Shilton. Ticket No. 189520.

The total raised was £89,800 and an article on the organisation and administration of the National Raffle will appear in the February Review.

The Lord Mayor of London and two Aldermen with Badgers and Cadets at the reception to launch the Brigade's centenary appeal at 8t Bartholomew's Hospital n London on December 2 1986

CENTENARY APPEAL

£10 million appeal to continue until July 1988

THE BRIGADE Centenary Appeal for £10 million is to continue until the end of July 1988. It is hoped that a grand £5 million will be raised by the counties combined efforts to be matched by a further £5 million raised by National Headquarters and London District. The London appeal is structured so that London District is linked with National Headquarters because many large corporate donors are based in London.

At the moment the appeal totals stand as follows. However, only 33 of the 48 counties have supplied figures :

National HQlLondon District Appeal:

£2,484,453

Counties Appeal (33 out of 48):

£1,313,755

Grand total:

£3,798,208 (as at 13/11/87)

Key personalities in the National Headquarters/London District are:

President. The Duke of WestmlDster , President of London District , is also presiding over the National Headquarters and London District Appeal. 'There can be few charitable organisations that are as much a part of the fabric of our society as the St John Ambulance Brigade,' said the Duke 'As a serving member myself , I know from first-hand experience what an enormous

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

From the Chief Commander

'Everyo n e of you will have your. o.wn memories of 1987 and your own OpIl1l0n as to what were the great achievements during tha year. For me two things stand out above all others: The Great Party in Hyde Park which gave us the publicity we had been seeki ng for so long and which is so important to u s, and th e birth of the Badgers whIch has added a new exciting dimension to the Brigade But the successes which these two " events" have enjoyed and indeed the s ucces s of Ce nt enary Year as a whole could never h ave been possible without th e support and h ard work of so man y in every county throughout the country. No one realises more than I the extra burden which this year has placed on you all , and so the first part of my New Year Message is to say a very s in cere "Thank You "

At National HO's appeals office. (L to R front) Gail Devlin PA to marketing director; Liz Ganney, assistant to appeal manager; Paul Bumstead, county appeals liaison officer; (back) Jefferney Bowens secretary; Alison Davey, admin and research officer.

level from different sectors of industry and commerce who hav e undertaken to raise funds on behalf of the appeal by making personal approaches to the h eads of other companies working within th eir sector.

benefited from their individual collections. The Appeal Office hope s to arrange further collections in 1988.

New Chief Welfare Officer

Mrs Jeanne Mercer.

AFfER F1VE years as Chief Welfare Officer at National HQ, Miss Mary Neville-Kaye has been forced into early retirement following a serious illness. The Supt-in-Chief, Lady Westbury , said: Myrtle and I and the rest of the Brigade office will very much miss her cheerful personality.

Chairman. The Lord Westbury , Registrar of the Order Commander for Humberside, and until 1987 chairman of the Public Affairs Department at Grosvenor Crescent, has undertaken the job of chairing the Appeal Committee. Vice-Chairman. John Bamford of the London District St John Council.

Marketing Director. Mrs Kathleen Duncan joined HQ at the beginning of December 1986 as Marketing Director to take charge of the Centenary Appeal and to look into improving the 'marketing of the whole of St John. Mrs Duncan h as a commercial background and considerable experience in marketing; her last post was international marketing director for the music publishers , Boosey and Hawkes.

One day after Kathleen Duncan joined St John , on December 21986, the Centenary Appeal was formally announced to the media and launched with a reception at St Bartholomew 's Hospital. A year after her appointment, Kathl een said: 'We must keep the momentum of the appeal gOlllg throughout the country. We have made a good start but we must persist in our efforts to ensure that we reach our target by next summer.'

2 contribution it makes to th e community and how dependent it is on voluntary support.'

But this last year has done something else even more important: it has m ade us take a close and critical look at ourselves and our work. Already we can see some of the results. The Association is looking hard at new markets to expand our teaching role , important changes are taking place the. Cadet world, and new ideas ar e bemg tned out to improve our caring work in the community. Both the Public Relations and Fund-Raising branches have learned much from this year and are far more professional than ever before. To sum up, Centenary Year has done u s what a Centenary ought to do: give u the resolution to expand a nd improve in the future the service we give to our fe llow citizens. In achieving that resolution I wish you all continued success in 1988 and the years which li e ahead.

A very happy New Year to you all.

Major-General P. E. Leuchars

Appeal Manager. Ros Earlie is responsible for running Special Events and other aspects of the Appeal.

County Liaison Officer. Paul Bum stead is from the managerial staff of the National Westminster Bank and has been seconded to St John for a period of two years to fill the vital post of County Appeals Liaison Officer. In this capacity he assists counties with fund-raising and th e 'Give as You Earn scheme. He also aims to improve communication and co-operation between the counties and HQ and is 'a lways willing to help with any problem'. The appoi.ntment has given HQ a much-needed lInk with the counties.

Ways in which money is being raised:

1. The Duke of Westminster's committee comprises businessmen at the highest

2. Special Events - during Centenary Year it is th e intention to raise a total of £500,000 net from 'special eventssuch as tbe Hampton Court Banquet and the annual Royal Gala B al l.

3. Through mailing directly to potential donors and expanding the existing donor list.

4. Counter Products Marketing a company specia lisin g in sales promotion , has been appointed to organise fundraising sales promotions schem es in partnership with major compa ni es. Recently the building soc iety HFC with 172 high st reet branches, agreed to donate 50 pence to the Appeal for every new junior account holder and to offer each of tbem a Badger wallchart. The scheme runs until March 31 1988.

5. Fund-raising act iviti es in the sphere of sports hav e b een increased as this is one of the areas in which the work of the Brigade is most visible. Over 100 runners in the 1987 London Marathon collected sponsorship for the London Appeal and collections took place at an American Football match at Wembley Stadium, the Charity Shield Match , and the Football League versus the Rest of the World.

The Sport and Entertainment Committ ee has been set up to maximise our fund-raising and is chaired by J obn LeHiott , of John Lelliott the Construction company, who is also ViceChairman of Wimbledon Football Club , and a member of the Duke 's committee.

6. National collections for the Appeal have been held in all Tesco, C&A and Dewhurst stores throughout the country. The London Appeal Office set up the collections and all counties

7 The national raffle was again held very successfully in 1987. It is anticipated that the 1986 total of £90 000 will have been equalled.

The Appeal Offic e staff at Grosvenor Crescent is willing to advise and assist counties with their fund-raising activities in any way they can. P lease do not hesitate to contact them. Centenary Appeal Office , 1 Grosvenor Crescent , London SW1 7EF, phone 01-235 5231.

Special fund-raising events

In the past few years a considerable incom e has been generated by the Grosvenor Crescent Appeal Department through special events', and during Centenary Year the combined HQlLondon District overall Appeal target for Special Events is £500 ,000 net. To give some idea of the kind of eve nts that took place last yea r: Four Stars Golf Ball - The pretournament Four Stars Golf Ball took place on May 26. The four stars taking part in the tournament were Bruce Fors yt h , Henry Cooper , Jimmy Tarbuck and Terry Wogan and the Ball raised over £20 ,000.

The Woolworth Trophy - A polo match sponsored by Woolworth's as part of their trophy competition took place in Jul y at The Guards Polo Club in Windsor and raised £30,000.

Speaker's Dinner -A unique opportunity was given when the Speaker of the House of Commons, Bernard Weatherill , gave the London Appeal permission to hold a d in ner in his state apartments in the Palace. The evening was sponsored by a private benefactor and tickets were £500 each, raising an estimated £17 ,000.

The Berkeley Square Ball - This is a popular annual eve nt and in 1987 , in reco g nition of St John s hundredth annive rsary and continuing contribution to socie ty , £30,000 was given to the London Appeal.

Miss Neville-Kaye, who had a long and distinguished Brigade career , joined SJA more than 40 years ago as a nursing member , moving on to divisional, area and district superintendent. She was invested as a Dame of the Ord er by the Grand Prior at a special ceremony on November 19 at St Jam es Palace.

Mrs Jeanne Mercer, previously County Superintendent for Buckinghamshire , becomes Chief Welfare Officer at National HQ from January 1.

Mrs Mercer has been a member of St John since 1943, when she joined Herne Bay Division and gained the Cadet War Service Shield. She competed in the first postwar first aid competitions in 1947, leading her county and regional winning team to the finals. Jeanne Mercer became the first woman in the UK to hold a SJA commissioner appointment when she became an Area Commissioner in Kent in 1971.

She has played an important role in the Brigade in several counties - Kent , Hampshire, Surrey and Buckinghamsbire - and is particularly interested in 'Caring in the Community welfare work.

Hampton Court Banquet - A magnificent banquet took place in June at Hampton Court, with tickets at £300 each, and £77 ,000 was made for the Appeal. London Premiere of the Bolshoi BalletThis event took place in Jul y , in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, and is expected to have raised £35 000 The Bolshoi Ballet s UK tour and the first night on behalf of St John was sponsored by American Express . Gala Greyhound Evening - This was a new departure for the Speci al Events team. It proved to be highly successful raising £28 ,000 through race sponsorship, ticket saJes and a raffle.

This year the following events are already being planned:

Tuesday, February 16 - A Snooker Evening at the London Hilton. Dinner will be followed by an exhibition match between (O\'er/eaf) 3

Centenary Appeal (cont.)

Steve Davis , who is ranked No 1 in the world, and Dennis Taylor, No.8. There will be an auction and a £10 note raffle. Tickets will cost £100 each, for Men Only!

Monday, March 28 - A fund-raising reception is to be hosted by the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street. Tickets are likely to be in excess of £100 each.

Friday, June 17 - Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire will be the setting for a midsummer fund-raising banquet. Fireworks, Beating the Retreat, and dancing are likely to be among the entertainments on offer.

4

F or further details about any of the events on pages 2, 3 and 4, please contact: The Appeal Manager, Centenary Appeal Office, National Headquarters.

Burmese

The sculptor, James Osborne a longstanding supporter of St John , ha s conceived a specia l project as his contribution to the Centenary Appeal. He decided to create a bronze of the Queen s horse, Burmese, on the horse s retirement from fa miliar duties such as Trooping the Colour.

Three half life-size bronzes have be en made, one of which has been presented to HM The Queen; a second has gone to the

The great TRAIN NAMING

And what a ride to Birmingham!

AT NOON on Wednesday, November 4, representatives of St John Ambulance from around the country attended a ceremony at Euston Station to name a British Rail Class 86 electric locomo tive 'St John Ambulance' in honour of the Brigade's Centenary this year.

The ceremony was presided over by Sir Robert Reid , CBE, chairman of British Rail , and HRH The Duke of G oucester who , as Grand Prior of the Order of St John and a self-confessed train enthusiast named the locomotive.

After the ceremony the ocomotive went stra ig ht into service and 50 St John Badgers and Cadets were invit e d by British Rail to board the 13.10 InterCity departure for Birmingham. On their journey they were entertained by a clown in a specially designated carriage pulled by the newlynamed locomotive

The locomotive was named in commemoration of the St John Ambulance Brigade's Centenary and in acknowledgement of the long association between the Railway and St John Ambulance a teachers of first aid. With uniform e d members of St John boarding the train at Euston , the scene was reminiscent of the ambulance trains that were once a frequent sight as war-wounded were returned home from the battlefield during the Boer and First World Wars.

private art collector, Ronald Gerard , who underwrote the original cost of the project ; and the sale of the third has raised £40 ,000 for the Appeal. A limited ed ition of 5 ,000 'Burmese' miniatures ha s also been produced, and the Appeal stands to receive a further donation from these sa le s. James Osborne is particularly known for hi s sculptures of anima ls. He has donated a bronze for auction at the annual St John Ball for several years , and his last auctioned in December 1986, raised the record sum of £10,000. He has also made presentations to the guests of honour at the annual Ball; HRH The Princess Margaret was presented with a bronze falcon and HRH The Princess Royal with a sculpture of greyhounds.

More onboard fun laid on by British Ra il for the naming trip to B rminghamCheko the Clown.

(Right) 'Having a great time! West Midland Badgers enjoy the party on the train's inaugural trip to Birmingham

a great

Coventry Badgers are dropped off at their home station on the way to Birmingham Ta-ra.

(Left) Cadet Dawn Mabbutt, 16, from Lavendon Bucks, s shown the ropes by the driver of locomo tive 'St John Ambulance'.

(Left) 'Peanuts'the gorilla having

time w th Badgers. (Right)

Ambulance

ANCIENT AND MODERN VEHICLES

TAKE A YEAR ' S planning, a great deal of enthusiasm , a large field in the worldfamo us Windsor Safari Park, erect some tents for displays, th en fill the field with over 120 ambulances from all over the UK - and you have the biggest ambulance rally ever held in Britain

The 1987 event, jointly organised by The British Ambulance Preservation Society and SJA Mid-Berkshire, was by far the largest ambulance rally they have organised so far, wit h double the turnout of the previous year despite a rather wet and windy day.

Over 19 pro fess ional ambulance services were represented, showing 35 ambulances ancient and modern. The vehicles came from afar as Ambleside in Cumbria , Aldeburgh in Suffolk and the West Midlands with contingents from Surrey, Sussex , Hampshire and of course Berkshire.

The British Red Cross Society also turned out in strength, as did many privately owned vehicles. The oldest vehicle , from the Hertfordshire Ambulance Service , was a 1900 horse-drawn ambulance built for a hospital board and

Rally

AT WINDSOR PARK

later used by the Army during World War 1. Military vehicles came from the US Air Force, Greenham Common, and the 23rd Parachut e Regiment , of Aldershot , who entered two field ambulances.

Traditionally, the national ambulance rally holds a motorcade of entrants from the Safari Park to the centre of Windsor during the morning , where this year the salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Windsor. Unfortunately the 1987 drive was slightly delayed by the changing of the guard at Windsor Cast le and had to wait for the guard to return to barracks before proceeding. The mile-long convoy was an impres s ive sight as it slowly drove through Windso r to the Guildhall , and on the return journey , becau se of its size , the convoy had to be rerouted , which meant another delay but created less holdup s for other traffic Back at the Safari Park the vehicles were inspected by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor , and crews were presented with commemorative plaques featuring the SJA logo .

The 1987 rally included for the first time a rally for model ambulances , which was so successful that it is to be a regular feature.

The 5th National Ambulance Rally has been booked at Windsor Safari Park for Saturday, September 3 1988 with plans to increase the display area for more equipment suppliers as well as vehicle manufacturers. Details of the rally can be obtained from (SAE, please), Roger Leonard (Hon Sec) , BAPS 21 Victoria Road Horley Surr ey RH6 9BN, who can also supply 1987 rally souvenir programmes at £1.20 each.

(Photos and story by Roger Leonard)

1952 Bedford 'K'/Pilchers n livery of SJA Sheffield and owned by Mr A. Parr.

A Bedford CF Wadham 'Life liner of London's Leyton and Leytonstone SJA Division.

1941 Morris 'V' series Pilchers ambulance owned by Mr P. Lord and in Hampshire BRCS livery. (Right) 1948 Aust i n K8 welfare ambulance owned by Mr B Brant and in livery of Bracknell SJA Division. (Below right) A 1944 Dodge WC54 as used by the US Army Medical Corps, owned by Mr T. Elliott.

CENTENARY REVIEW

The March 1988 Review will incorporate a special section featuring highlights of the Centenary Year. To enable all events right to the end of the year to be included, it has been decided that the Review of the Year' will be part of the March issue. So please continue to send your contributions to the Editor, bearing in mind that the deadline for all material for this issue will be NO LATER THAN January 201988.

Service Hospitals Training

The Royal Naval Hospital Stonehouse in Plymouth , and the Naval Hospital at Haslar in Gosport, Hampshire , have again allowed our members to take a two week course there in 1988. We also have opportunities for courses at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely and the RAF Hospital in Wroughton.

These courses offer a marvellous chance to gain valuable experience on the wards, theatre and accident and emergency departments. The cost will be in the region of £32 for two weeks. Those wishing to be considered should write for application forms to the Superintendent-in-Chief's office and should note that applications should be vetted by their County Commissioner or County Nursing Officer.

BROUGHT TO BOOK

The London Daily Mirror reports that a British court , which wishes to remain anonymous, has discovered that witnesses have not been taking the proper oath.

For the last four months they have been swearing, not on the Bible , but on a copy of the St John Ambulance manual, says Justice of the Peace magazine.

The question now, of course, is whether the convictions are valid.

AROUND and ABOUT

BY THE EDITOR

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST JOHN FUN AT HQ

a visit to National HQ the Chief Commander takes time out from his office, with the Chief President, Mrs H. Phillips (back) and Supt-in-Chief, Lady Westbury (right).

Apparently the same thing happened 40 years ago when what was thought to be a Bible wrapped in protective brown paper turned out to be a barrister's copy of Ruffs Guide to the TU/j.

HUNGERFORD MARATHON

At midday on November 6, Hungerford Division, Berkshire, began a 24-hour resuscitation marathon to raise money for the Hungerford Appeal for victims of the recent tragedy. Postponed from the day of

Radcliffe members of Lanes' Bury Corps enjoying a bed-push around the area for local fund-raising support.

Britain s hurricane ', the marathon finally got under way with the County Commissioner , Lady Elizabe t h Godsal Are a Commissioner , Colonel P e ter Hamer , and Lady Chetwynd , Divi ional President , among supporters.

DJs Sarah-Jane and Mick M e adows from Radio 210, Reading, star ted the proceedings and wished the St John members we ll. Lisa Mild e nhall, a 14-year-old cadet injured in the shooting , and Sylvia Pascoe , her nei ghbour and St John officer who saved her life , were the first to have a go on Derek Howard, Avon Deputy Eastern Area Comm ssioner, (left) receives the Imperial Service Medal - an award from HM The Queenfrom Sir Hugh Thompson, deputy controller of warsh ps at a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence in Bath (Photo: Wessex N ewspa pers

the Resusci-Anne models. Many Hungerford Badgers and Cadets enjoyed the afternoon off schoo l to join in with great ent husiasm - playing games, practising first aid techniques and even dancing between resuscitation sessions.

After the marathon had been successfully completed, an exhausted Steve Pye , Divisional Superi ntendent , thanked all those who had taken part, particularly the eight members of the night-shift for their efforts. ' It was a long night, and between 9 and 12 the following morning were the longest hours of my life - but we mad e it! Members felt they wanted to do something tangible for the appeal and I'm delighted that we ve been able to raise £400.

START 'EM EARLY

Mrs O. M. Short , DIS of Eastern Enfi eld Division writes: lOur daughter and son-in-law , Alison and Trevor Owen , are both members of the Division , and when their daughter Elizabeth was born it was agreed that a s long as she was well behaved the baby could come along to meetings as wel1. Over the months Elizabeth has gradually joined in during practise nights , and with a little help can even manage some of th e bandaging

At a recent Divisional meeting , and watched the other members practismg mouth-to-mouth and cardiac compressions on Annie, Elizabeth decided it was her turn. (See photo ). Collecting a gauze from the box , she then went ahead and almost gave us a lesson on how to do it. cardiac compressions were , however , shghtly off target. Annje s left 'boob was the only place she could manage to get a downward movement , and she had not the strength to push the head back , but it wa s

El izabet h Owen, 2% showing how it's done. (See story Start em early )

At Hungerford Divis on's 24-hour resuscitation marathon (see story) (Above) Badgers doing their bit. (Right ) Lisa Mildenhall 14-year-old cadet who was shot durin g the Hungerford shooting rampage with Sylvia Pascoe, Hungerford Division's secretary, who saved Lisa s life

WHO'S THIS?

Yes, who's this indeed, who made a working appearance at Eastbourne cadets stall at a local market to help them ra se £ 100. Thanks , (Page 11 reveals all.)

AND THESE?

Is it love at first bite Or fangs for the memory? We re not sure But we do know the vicious-looking vampire is Corporal Jeffrey Bailey, and wicked w tch 0 0 Joan Wardle ust two of the 150 (horrors?) members at Radcliffe (Lanes) HQ s Hallowe'en party 'Scared the living daylights out of me: sa d PRO Arthur Willis And us

(Right) Mrs Yvette Worrall (right). president of Kirklees Division, Huddersfield , receives a plaque from the Mayor, Cllr Mary Walsh, which she took to Malta in September to present to the is land 's Commander St John Mrs Worrall was accompanied by AIM Stephen Pickup (centre). whose son is one of four Huddersfield runners entering the 1988 Malta Marathon in February to raise funds for SJA. Kirklees Division raised £1,200 last year. Any division can be sponsored by these runners. Ring Mrs Worrall on 0484-542855 for details.

(Left) T h e off cia opening of the new SJA ambu ance station at Purdysburn, Belfast.

(L to R) Miss Marie Hal igan, Area V ic ePresident, Col Bertra n d Cotton, Kn ght Commander Commandery of Ards, and John Hughes, Area Commissioner (See story FOR BELFAST.)

two inflations and the 'compressions' did vary between 9 and 13.

Not bad for 2 years 5 months. And how glad we were that I had my camera with me.'

FOR BELFAST

A new ambulance station for St John in B elfast was opened on October 4 by Miss Marie Halligan , Area Vice-President. She unvei led a plaque in the presence of a large au die n ce led by the Commissioner , Dr B etty Nicholl. Guests included representat ives from the Eastern Health Board , who p rovi ded t h e b u ilding, the Ambu lance Service and t he British Red Cross Society.

Th e r e was also a strong presence from D is trict, Area and the Divisions.

Th e amb u lance station is for the H ea dqu ar t ers Transport Division , which has a fleet of five ambulances and a minib u s. Th e superintendent , Dennis Killiner

le d a team of enthusiastic members who

di d m ost of the work in their spare time. In

h e r speech , M iss Ha lligan paid ribute to th e me mb ers: 'Work was s till going on at midnight o n many an evening. At the same t im e th e Division carried o ut its allotted d ut ies and kept the fleet of ambulances fu ll y operationa l. The result of their e nd eavo ur s is an ambulance station of which we are all justly proud.'

The Area President, the Rev Dr Morwood Meldrum, presided over the ce r emony and dedicated buil ding at the

request of the Area Commissioner, Mr John Hughes. The Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards, Colonel Bertrand Cotton, expressed the p leasure of the Order at having the new ambulance stat ion which was replacing one which had been in use since 1949 and had become unsuitable. Divisional Officer Beatrice Killiner , wife of the superintendent, pr esented Miss H a lligan with a centenary goblet. Mrs Cotton was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Ambulanceman John Amos. After the official opening the members put on a display of first aid procedures under the supervision of their nursing officer, Miss Sadie Greer.

CENTENARY BOOKLET

Northern Ireland has produced a commemorative booklet which features month by month events during Centenary Year. It is a 16-page A4 glossy booklet containing 80 photographs - 60 colour and 20 black and white - accompanied by appropriate texts. It is available at £3 from the Administrative Secretary, St John Headquarters , Waring Street Belfast BT12EX.

SOUTH AFRICA AWARD

The first silver lifesaving medal of the Order of St John awarded to a South African has been presented to a Cape

At SJA Somerset Eastern Area's service of rededication to mark the Brigade s centenary on Nov 1, the address was given by Miss Verena Yand e, a lay reader, who retired at the end of 1987 after 30 years as County Staff Offi ce r (cadets). Somerset.

Town-based ambulance driver for hi s work during last year's violence in Crossroads.

Mr Kenneth Thandabantu Nxu, emp lo yed by the Cape Town St John Ambulance ce ntr e , received the medal from the Prior of the Order. Mr Nxu, 49, join ed the St J o hn Ambulance corps four years ago.

Only 156 of the medals which are awarded in thr ee d egrees - gold, silver and bronze - hav e been awarded in the past 85 years worldwide.

Mr Nxu provided a 24-hour ambulance service during the six weeks of violence, operating from a base inside the area of violence.

He remained permanently on duty, s leepin g in th e clinic.

According to the citat ion he was in great personal danger at a ll tim es' and he drove continuously into the worst areas of fighting to remove pati ents in spite of police warnings of the dang e r and threats to his life from the warring factions.

'A part from thi s continual danger and many acts of persona l heroism when he often had to get out of his vehicle and talk hi s way through warring factions', Mr Nxu also went into extreme ly dangerous situations to rescue two peo ple helping with

rel ief operations who were surrounded by hostile groups.

Mr Nxu, a former book-keeper and insurance salesman, said: I am still amazed that I was chosen to receive this medal. I was just doing this job. This is a great honour .'

NEW MANUAL

This review of the new First Aid Manual appeared in th e magazine Safety Management:

The new edition of the first ai d manual launched by th e British R ed Cross Society , St John Ambulance and St Andrew ' s Ambulanc e Association is certainly a massive improvement on their numerous previous editions. The usual endless and laborious chapters on how they say first aid must be carried out have been replaced with bright , well illustrated pages covering just about every aspect of first aid whereever it may be ca rried out.

Whilst they still hav e the irritating habit of referring to their manual as 'the only reference book to be authorised b y the three societies' (does this mean that all the other first aid reference books are 'unauthorised'?) they have obviously put a great dea l of work into what is probably the most

GOING PICNICKING

comprehensive guide to first aid one can buy.

The three societies have agreed on the importance of chan ges in their technique s to keep in line with current medical majority opinion. Such items include what they consider to be a safer way to open a casu a lt y's airway, new information on deabng with a patient who may possibly have a fractured spine and guidelines on precautions to take when dealing with the control of bleeding.

There doesn 't seem to be any reference to the commonly practised four quick inflations before commencing full CPR and, probably quite rightly, the y do not mention the ' precordial thump' procedure any more .

The illustrations are excellent in their clarity and colourfulness. There are even some photographs used in the publication which is quite a departure from the usual society style to which many of us had become resigned over the years.

About 40 of the manual 's 224 pages are devoted to dressings and bandages , handling and transport and emergency childbirth. Some of these pages, whilst of great interest , will not always impress the first-aider at work who often has to practise

To be fair, however , the manual is clearly shown as having been written as a comprehensive guide for treating casualties of all ages in any emergency and it seems to very positively achieve its aim. A sec tion on safety has been included as well as a basic explanation of the 'hazchem' warning signs.

Published by Dorling Kindersley in association with the voluntary aid societies , the manual can be purchased from book shops or direct from any of the three societies. It costs £4.95 paperback

WHO IS THIS?

Who is he?

- Yes, Windsor Davies, who while appearing at the local theatre

Goring and Durrington (Worthing)

nursing officer Tony Kemp who instructs Save-a-Life classes on beha lf of the Division to local groups , churches and industry.

At the Ambulance Rally in Windsor Great Park - during inspection of vehicles the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire chats to AIM John Prewer (driver) and NI M Mrs Joan Hamey (the only female attendant at the rally we understand)

Caterham (Surrey) Division's new VS Freight Rover ambulance was dedicated by the County Commissioner Stuart La t ham, after their cente n ary church service on Nov 1. Offici ating were the Rev. C. M. S. Snow and the Rev R. D Treleaven , president of Caterham cadets.

his skill with the bare essentials available in his immediate vicinity (if only incidents wouLd occur alongside the first aid cabinet!) and who is very

Merseyside Badgers at a weekend camp held a Teddy Bears Picnic in aid of the National Ch dren'S Homes Typhoo appeal.

The game that is making learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review's Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton Chorley, Lanes PR7 6AP

F P A G H T V J I S B D C R E 0 N K L M

I'AnI:T by JIM -=:"1'1

Talking Telephone

British Telecom now has a very large range of Talking Telephone Services. The numbers vary from place to place so you should look them up in the code book for your area.

Dial-a-Disc - gives you two differ e nt hit records each evening from 6 pm to 8 am during the week and all day at weekends.

Cricket scores ar e available throughout Test matches.

Speaking clock can g ive you the time accurate to one twentieth of a second. Very useful for Wide Games!

Bedtime stories are available after 6 pm each night. Sleep well!

What 's On gives you information about events and attractions in your area.

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, Chorley (Lanes) Centre Secretary, for first aid questions. 180 schools in Lancashire, as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER.

GAME NINE

F. This is always present in the case of a dislocation.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the question master asks them that question. If they answer correctly they have scored that square. The object is to take all the squares in a line vertically or horizontally in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of all the lines being blocked, so that neither team can complete a line, the game is all square.

H. If there is excess sugar in the blood and urine , the patient suffers from

I. The lower half of the small intestine between the e junum and caecum.

S. If the tendon and ligaments are torn at a joint it is called a

B. This is produced in the liver , stored in the gall bladder and helps digestion.

P. This type of breathing only occurs if the chest is stove in.

T. The twelve vertebrae to which the ribs are attached are the

D. This muscle not only separates chest from abdomen but is the main respiratory muscle.

C. Two of these are semilunar shaped and separate the femur from the tibia.

Turning an unconscious patient into this position is a life saving act.

This canal carries food from the mouth to the a nu s.

The two low er chambers of the h eart are known as

The part of the ear which vibrates with sound waves is the

The bony socket which co ntains the eye. When divers suffer from the bends it is due to the body absorbing

A thin open-meshed material used as a surgical dressing.

The part of the small intestine between the duedenum and ileum

The finger joints are commonly known as

The five larg est vertebrae in the small of the back are known as

The double grinding back teeth are called Answers on p. 19

You can a lso find out about weather forecast, motoring information , recipes , racing news , gardening tips a nd more.

AU this information and entertainment is available by dialling a few numbers. But remember , th e call s are charged for like any other call!

So now you know - keep your ears open!

Charity Projects

Charity Projects is a trust fund which currently assists young people in trouble through drug/alcohol misuse suffering from disabilities or who are homeless. Grants are u sually limited to £5 000 but the sum to be disbursed is over £1 million.

If you work with young people who face these or related problems , Charity Projects may be able to help Details are available from Charity Projects , 21 D Arblay Street, London W1 V 3FN.

Commonwealth Youth Worker Exchange

The Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council is developing a new training initiati v e for full-time youth workers based on a two-way exchange with colleagues from a Commonwealth country. This pilot project will involve a substantial commitment to personal and group preparation and evaluation over 15 months with two

Four Badger Sets of

6-week exchange programmes , one overseas and one hosting Commonwealth colleagues in the UK.

The overall aim is to get participants to use the experience gained and reElect this in their future youth work practice. Interested individuals and organisations should contact CYEC 18 Fleet Street London EC4Y lAA for further details.

Daniel Greenwood anxious Georgina Childs cut the cake at Leigh - on-Sea (Essex) Cadet Division 's enrolment evening and 36th birthday.

(Above) Horfield (Avon) N/C Division's smartest girl, Judith Heath , rece ves her award from Deputy AlComm Tony Joiner

TEA

QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTRE

NOTTINGHAM YES

AMBULANCE

Just part of the team: Stamford Division s ambulance, helicopter, BRCS ambulance, two do cto rs , 4x4 emergency ca rs

Complex operation for SJA Lines at Burghley Horse Trials

THE CROSS COUNTRY day at th e 1987

Burghley Remy Martin Horse Trials saw Lincolnshire SJA involv ed in a complex combined operation. A full medical service had to be set up to cover the whole of this four-day equestrian eve nt. With its 28 massive solid fences spread over many acres of parkland, the cross country section of th e trials attracted over 200,000 people to watch the 80 or so competitors.

Operating from a Medical Control

Centre Dr J. K. Inman, the Medical coordina tor, had at his di sposa l 15 doctor s, 13 ambulances (10 road and three of cross country type), two 4x4 doctor 's emergency vehicles, a h e licopter ambulance and thr ee cars. Four first aid posts , a creche and first aid personnel at every jump completed the team.

lines' contribution

SJA Lincs' contribution to this was four road ambulances, provided by the Stamford, Grantham, Spalding and Gainsborough Division s, plus Stamford's mobile first aid un it and two cars. The cars were used to transport casualties with minor injuries to and from the first aid posts, thus freeing ambulances for the more serious problems Roof mounted signs were used to clearly identify these cars.

Ambulance Control, situated alongside the Medical Control, was operated by the BRCS with an SJA assistant. Two LandRover ambulances were provided by a detachment from 222 (East Midlands) Field Ambulance RAMC(V). These were situated in the roughest areas of the

course Deployed elsewhere around the course were eight of th e road ambulances, leaving three in reserve at Control (two road and a 4 x4 type)

An Incident Routine (shown here) had been issued to all partie s and pre-event briefings held to ensure everyone knew their part in the arrangements. On day things ran smoothly, with the mdlVldual organisation s m erging into one. One ambulance, a loaned four-wheel-drive VW Demonstrator , ori gina lly intended for the Emerg ency team u se, was manned by a joint Red Cross/St John crew.

Three hospital patients

Only three patients, all competitors, had to be transferred to Peterborough Di strict Hospital , the rest were treated on s ite.

For the other thr ee days of the event a much smaller team was u sed, operating from the main first aid post. Manned by BRCS personn e l , the post had Stamford Division 's ambulance, one from the BRCS , a car and the two Army LandRovers at its disposal.

For the first time, Stamford Combined Division were asked to provide a new serv ice a t the event. Their welfare (wheelchair) ambulance was used to run a shuttle service betw een the disabled car park and th e main arena. Carrying nearl y 200 invalids and their relations during the four day s, it provided a much needed and much appreciated service.

(Photo s and story by Peter Castle)

Divis on and BRCS Market Deeping)

SJA Stamford 's welfare vehicle unload ing at the main arena.

AN APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT: A LESSON FOR US ALL

THE THOROUGHLY s ucc essfu l 1987 conference for County Training Officers at Birmingham should ce rtainly hav e acted as a catalyst in many counties, causing a great scurry of activity.

Towards the end of the weekend, brief mention was made of the role of the video recorder as a training aid. The video is a new tool for th e instructor, too new to appear in our manual s. There is no doubt of the upsurge of their u se. Video are widely available and in structIOnal films are now offered in video form. I. do not propose to discuss the profe sSionally made instructional video here , or the simple recording of an event m ade for interest to the participants. All I mention regarding the recording of major exercises is that they should always be filmed by a professional photographer ?r someone wi th considerable experience lD the field who is working to a script.

1 should particularly like to address myself to the use of th e video in assessina lecturing and simulated e ncounters with casualtie.s and patients. A strategically placed Video camera on a tripod can cater for both these situations, for here it is th e content rather than the artistic e lement which is crucial.

But why the fuss? Where are the difficulties? Given any tool , we must learn how to It properly to derive greatest benefit from It. Much work has been done suggest-

By Dr CLIFFORD C. SMITH, MB,BS,MRCGP,DRCOG,DCH

County Training Officer, Berkshire

ing that to achieve this it is necessary to for mulate a pattern or code of practice

This all sounds very jargonistic ; but please do not give up , and read on because there is so mething for us all to learn here

I should like to assume at this stage that the video recording ha s been made and that both the observer and the person being assessed have watched the replay together. Once this has been done , the format of discussion could follow the steps lai d out below.

Step 1: Clarification of Fact

Errors may have been made which might allow confusion to arise: a wrong word used - perhaps hyperglycaemia instead of hypogl ycae mia: or action might have taken place hidden from th e camera's view.

These points must be rectified first. This is not the place for the observer to correct becaus e of impression: 'I always think that personally .'; or because of anecdote: I remember once when I did th a t , or rhetoric:

:Don t you think it would have been if ; or controversy: 'N ow wby did you give the chest a thump before the four quick inflations?' Get the facts right first.

Step 2: The Assessed before the Assessor

The person who is being assessed has been doing all the hard work so that it is only right that he should be given the opportunity of having the first say in any complaint or criticism of his performance. It also introduces a dual role for the assessed to become his own judge. Learning is easier when the learner develops a good idea of his strengths and weaknesses. Above all it allows the learner to be in control.

Step 3: Good Points First

The strengths should be discussed first. Teaching and learning are positive processes, and are not helped by attacking criticism which will result in an enforced defensiv e attitude from the person being assessed. Once the learner has established his good points , the assessor is able to underline these with reinforcing encouragement.

The weaknesses may then be reviewed. Once again the learner has the opportunity overleaf

Ambulance on call at main first aid post (Stamford

An Approach to Assessment (cont.)

of making comments on this first. He may readily identify an area in which action or knowledge was weak. It is important that the assessor in his turn does not dwell too long on that particular making further critical comment upon It , because the kamer has been able to perceive the problem. The old adage 'we learn by our mistakes' , is never more true than when we can identify our own errors.

Step 4: Recommendations not Criticisms

It is not good eno ugh merely to errors and make criticisms. Once It has been pointed out that a task was not carried out well, it should be followed by constructive comment from the assessor. On the other hand when the learner has identified his own weakness, he may be able to suggest his own remedy, with the assessor as a helper to this end. time to time, learner and assessor may dIsagree on a point. This should then become the centre point for discussion , and not a source of dissatisfaction and argument.

A Lesson for us all

The four steps of assessment described above have been particularly to t.he use of the video recorder as a teaching aId , and some readers may recognise the work of Pendle ton et all who applied this technique to training wit.hi.n Practice. Until recently trammg ffilght have been thought of as the poor relation of th.e various specialities within St John and It has been unusual to find an article such as this, so specifically concerned the psychology and science of educ.atIOn, m St John Review. In our practIcal first aId work, questions are constantly being asked regarding the pathology and phYSIology. of a condition: 'Why does something happen? By discovering the answer we hope that we can ha ve a better ing subsequently of both the condItIOn and its treatment. So why should we not for a moment to ask: 'Why do we tram m the manner in which we do?

We live in a society which is quick to find fault and slow to praise; but let us now identify that weakness. These concepts may apply just as well in every.day ations within every DIVISIOn, and mdeed m every part of the Order. Judgement may take place at many differing levels , but let those judging also be helpers; and let those being judged recognise that they are receiving help.

To summarise:

1. Clarify the facts.

2. The subject has first say.

3. The observer goes next.

4. Good points always first

5. Recommendations not cnilCIsms.

Postscript

This is, however only part of the story, for to return to the video we have to have criteria and standards by which we can measure our performance, and it is to this I shall be turning my attention in my next Review article.

Reference

Supt-in-Chief

Wanting more?

It

Before

But when he doe s you ll fee so glad T he crowd will think you'r e goin g ma d.

So

But

You

Fifteen

Lift

When

Bandage

To

ee!

One pint doesn leave much less

You give that to the B.T.S

If a patient ceases to tak e in ai r It 's tbe fir s thing you tre at wh e n you ge t th e re.

No matte r what o ther hurt yo u see

You mu s GIVE HIM AIR imm e dia te y.

So , throw bac k the head , pull forward th e chin.

Pinch-close th e no se to ge your brea th in

Then sea off th e mouth with your own lip s

And get four quick breath in - tho se are my tip s.

Th

FOR SOME years we of Ormea u Combined Division , Northern Ireland , have been operating a Ford Tran sit ambu lance, and found that as many of our duties involved horse trials, motocross and other 'off-road' events we often faced a choice of risking becoming bogged down if it rained or else leaving the vehicle on the nearest hard standing which might be up to a mile away.

As a result we discussed buying a fou rwheel -drive vehicle. After looking at the various options and the available finances we concluded that the only f easible answer was to purchase an ex-Army Land-Rov e r. There followed a protracted period of negotiation with the Ministry of Defence both locally and in London As you may imagine the purchase of Army vehicles is slightly more complex in Northern Ireland than in other part s of the UK. Eventuall y we became the proud possessors of a 1966 Land-Rover fitted with a four-berth stretcher body. The vehicle was basicall y complete but had s ome rear body dama g e and a faulty clutch

This was where the real work st art e d. Fortunately the local REME workshop s offered to carry out a certain amount of refurbishing of the vehicle for us , including repairing the body and respra yi'ng the vehicle white

New

We

Th

If

Bu y a St Jo hn book from your stor e Mal/ri ce Simm ons, Refired Co mmiss ioner, Staff

SUPPLIES UPDATE

STYLING CHANGES to the men s uniform jacket have been agreed by the Commissioner-in-Chief and all future supplies will revert to a style with a four button front instead of the existing fly front , otherwise they will remain as at present. The change will mean a small increase to the selling price of the jacket (U80000) from £55 95 to £57.45.

A conversion service will be available to purchasers of the fly front jacket who wish to modify their jacket to the four button style. (The jacket is not suitable for home conversion.) To convert jackets , simply return them to St John Supplies together with an order quoting one unit of U80006 for each jacket returned. The jacket will be converted at a specially subsidised price of £7.50 , which includes return postage. The service will be avai labl e throughout 1988,

so jackets can be returned when convenient If sending a number at a time , r e member to Label each jacket so that later you cao identify which belongs to which member . Our aim is to return the conv e rted jackets in four we e ks, but if early demand for the service is heavy this period may have to be extended

Longer length skirts for nursing cadets are now available. The regular length is still available as product U50100 , waist 22"-30" , and the longer length (2" longer) is available as product U50100 , 22L-30L , (use the same product code but simply add L after the waist size). The longer skirt is priced at £8.25.

Next month we shall be mailing all account holders with the latest edition of Supplies News and a new edition of our Training Aids Catalogue

At this stage we d e cided that we cou ld usefully carry out s ome alteration s which would make the vehicle mor e s uited for its future role We fe lt that w e would not require four stretcher berths (fingers crossed ) and so two of these we r e removed and replaced with a row of seat s (a s shown in the photo) . We k e ep on e Furley stretcher permanently in place with the option of carrying another above it required Spare stretchers are carried externally in sleeves on the roof. W e also fitted a wooden cupboard next to the attendant s seat to provide e x tra storage space and a working surface at a convenient height. A size D oxygen cylinder is fitted below the stretcher berth

Although at first sight th e patient compartment appears very small we have found no difficulty in use and space is maximised by storing bulky items such as the scoop stretcher and splints ill external lockers.

The vehicle was already fitted with a rear compartment heater and ventilation system , so the other major changes were to fit a blue beacon and blue front repeater lamps . Electric alternating horns were fitted behind the grille. We also fitted rear fog warning lamps and moved the headlamps from the grille to the wings.

So far we have found the vehicl e to be very successful especially cross country where it seems to be almost unstoppable! A penalty for this is that the noise by the cross-country tyres is deafenmg m the driving cab We are curthinking of fitting sound-proofing to reheve t?is. The patient compartment is already msulated so at least the patient

travels r elatively quiet ly.

Ov e rall I feel the project has been a great success and I s hould like to thank all our friends a t the REME Workshops and also my Transport Officer , Joe Carvill , who masterminded rhe whole project.

CROSS COUNTRY

VEHICLE NEEDED

ambulance for Belfast

If any division is planning a similar project , I should be only too glad to advise c/o 20 Beaufort Heights , Beechill Road, P. J. Faulkner , DIS Belfast 8

UJ\I !:l480 .

Another poem chosen by Lady Westbury,

WHY I RESIGNED from John

As a member of a veteran St John family who has recently 'hung up his hat', I feel that I must write saying why I have resigned after 24 years of service (cadet and adult), with my family as a whole having devoted 98 years to St John.

St John has provided me with a considerable wealth of knowledge, both social and intellectual, in the introduction of great friends, my wife, and an ability to hopefully save a life should the need arise.

In the April 1986 Review a letter mentioned 'Let's get on with the job This job, as far as I read it, means to create an elite hierarchical structure which protects its members' anonymity by nefarious rules and regimes. By all means recruit new members but do we have to encourage old (I am 33) members to leave? I would agree that perhaps the image of St John is wrong and, yes, perhaps we do need a new style uniform, but there is little point in wallpapering a room with cracked and decaying plaster!

Not wishing to encroach on radical Marxist policy , but perhaps noting some relevant areas, we must remember that we are a voluntary organisation and discipline and respect must be mutual considerations.

As a cadet officer of some 13 years standing, I feel myself qualified to challenge the authoritarian attitude of St John. I have in my time moved to different counties, and been an officer with three divisions and yet many of my ex-cadets still contact me and can relate to me , if only for the occasional reference or Christmas card. This, I feel, is part of respect and cannot be achieved by putting pips on the shoulders of the 'right' person. With this respeGt comes respect for the organisation.

My involvement with St John has been considerable I have been a partner in training national competition winners and shared in organising divisional camps and county events. I do not regret this Nevertheless, when something which I enjoyed doing and have devoted many , many hours to becomes regimented , dictatorial or sometimes impossible because of the bureaucracy of the organisation, it is time to get out.

The 'caring' attitude of St John has once again been reinforced for me. I resigned in December 1986 and a year later have not received an acknowledgement or even a letter saying 'Thank God you've gone!'

South

LET'S GRASP IT! from Tessa Wyatt John

I always read with interest the Review letters concerning manpower within St John , agreeing with some views and disagreeing with many others. Can I put a psychological viewpoint which I have not read in St John publications?

Man, as a breed, has an innate desire to feel 'needed', and smely most St John volunteers recognise this value within themselves. Recruits are enticed by phrases giving the message: 'This person could die, but you as a trained person can preventit '. Are we not all glad when we can save fellow beings? Great! Next: 'Please devote a small amount of your time to be on public duty where you're needed.' Again we are only too pleased so long as we are needed occasionally.

Rightly, our public relations officers publicise acts of heroism. However, we have to balance that against the digging remarks to which we are often subject: 'Oh, oh - I've broken my leg What are you going to do?' - 'Watch that pregnant lady, she looks ready to have it now.' (Pregnant lady only four months expectant.) 'Had a busy time?', etc. All followed by outlandish laughter. So you are receiving the 'gratitude' of fellow mankind.

While you have been on duty has the domestic situation been completely satisfactory? Personally, the guilt of finding babysitters, leaving casseroles to dry-up in the oven using the family car while my husband would dearly love it, seeing the weeds flourish in an unattended garden, the dirt accumulate on the skirting boards, etc, 8111 add up to to tar frustration.

Readers views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor , although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and to the Editor

So what is the answer? Here comes a few more unwanted suggestions. St John is 'a service to mankind', and that must be the essence of a solution. Recently , after a s hort e mergenc y first aid course for the public , a di sc ussion developed by the participants. They all felt strongly that it is unrealistic to e ducat e children in our society to recite the twelve times table , the names of Henry 8t h 's six wives , etc, etc , when we do not teach them how to save their playmate, help a friend in need , and a ll those other ba ic ski ll s St John members know and are willing to teach. The general opinion was that St John could use itself as a strong lobb ying body to promote first aid teaching as standard curriculum in our schoo ls

The Three Cross Award scheme is marvellous , but it should be expanded. Student teachers should rec eive afirs[ aid course while at teacher training college and first aid should be on the sc hool timetable as essential. If organisers of low risk' public events (ie , fetes, skittles matches, theatre performances, etc) were sec ur e in the knowledge that any injuries could be dealt with adeq u ately by an educated generation (or hop efully generations) of fellow event patrons, they would not need to request the attendance of S[ John personnel - thus freeing them to man the 'high risk' activities s uch as scrambles , point-to-point , motor racing marathons and many others. No St John member wishes ill-fate upon people - but if we are 'needed' while on duty we may feel the inconvenience of the hours on public duty would balance against the domestic problems we all inevitably have to so lve 'G lory seeker!' I hear some say.

Return to my original state m ent of man' s need to be needed.

When peop le make silly remarks, I u suall y reply: 'I'm here as your umbrella. Have me and you don't need me. Be without m e and you'll need me .' Unfortunately I therefore admit t hat I'm only present in case I am needed and not because I am needed.

Second and lastly. Hopefully Centenary Year will produce many recruits, so let's keep them by not abusing them. Recently an invitation for a public duty was issued county-wide. I would love to have helped but the memo left us all in no doubt that our presence was required for the whole day and there was no briefing session for those wishing to do a h a lf day. The result was a los s to the public of three personnel I know of in a very small Division. So, let's be more flexible Members should be able to undertak e the amount of duty they wish and not the amount they feel they are compelled to do. 'Now' is our opportunity to reverse the vicious circle that has been losing us members. Let's grasp the opportunity. What do you say?

Timsbury (Bristol) Quad Division Tessa Wyatt

MEMBERSHIP

from Ralph Brown, Divisional Superintendent

Mr Phillips (August Review) has raised the old chestnut again about our first aid qualifications

When will National HQ listen to members and as Mr Phillips asks let us return to, in most people 's opinion the better and more comprehensive certificate based on the First Aid Manual?

The FAW, I believe is a lowering of standards and as is the requirement of the two years between re-qualification, that memlbe rs need only take Basic Life Support.

There are only two members of 35 in my divi sion who are industrial first-aiders. One takes hers at work anyway and the other 's company uses us rather than paying In addition to the certificate, there are members who cannot manage the exam. They are exceUent first-aiders, in whose hand s I would trust my life , but fai l becau se they cannot handle the written part and are subsequently lost to St John which the organisation can ill afford.

Also I was interested to read Messrs B evi ngton and Reeves letters on membership. Can I enco urag e all s up erintendents to respond and give th eir idea s. It is a project I trust the Review will follow and report on as I am sure it will be of great use to u s all.

Cranleigh, Surrey

COMPETITION TESTS from Andrew Lamb

Ralph Bro wn

For the past year I hav e been helping my Divi sion's nursing team train for competitions. It is something I enjoy, but since the new competition rules came out I hav e found my se lf short of competition tests, especially nursing team tests. So if readers have any spare nursing team tests, could they please send me a copy of them? In return I will send them a copy of my spare nursing tests.

85 Edinburgh Road, Primrose, Andrew Lamb Jarrow NE32 4BB

PEN PALS

from Colin Campbell, Cadet Sergeant

Our Division would like to find pen pals in another Cadet Division. Please let me have names and addresses, and some personal details , of interested cadets and the y will be paired with cadets here

44 Sandiacres, H edworth, Jarrow NE32 4ND

INVITE JOHN,

Colin Campbell from Mrs P. Gauld, Divisional Superintendent

Divisions are always wondering what to include in their training programme to make an interesting , lively and informativ e evening. Why not do as we did and invite Lt-Commander John Hammond Secretary of the St John Ambulance Medical Board and of the St John Aeromedical Services, to pa y you a visit? I know he would be delighted to visit as many Divisions as possible, but he cannot without being invited.

If you don't want to hear about the Aeromedical Services then will wear his other ' hat ' as Secretary to the Medical Board. You WIll find he has some interesting ideas to discuss!

Crawley

STAMPS PLEASE from Mrs J. Mannell

P. Gauld (Mrs)

Would Review readers kindl y send their used sta mps to me to help St John Ambulance funds locally?

58 Lawrence Road Mrs 1. Mannell Southsea , Hants /05 1 NY

Block Buster (9) ANSWERS

F. Fixity; H. Hyperglycaemia ; 1. Ileum; S. Sprain; B. Bile; P Paradoxical; T. Thoracic ; D. Diaphragm ; C. Cartilage; R. Recovery; A Alimentary; V. Ventricles; E. Eardrum; O. OrbIt; N. Nitrogen; G. Gauze ; J. Jejunum ; K. Knuckles; L. Lumbar; M. Molars.

Derby City's carnival queen is Margaret Looms of Alvas to n Quad Division who here meets the county's SJA top brass at a supper which raised £750. (L to R) Col Peter Hilton, Lord Lieutenant; LtCol John Hetherington SJA Commander; Mrs Elfrida Gardiner, hostess ; Mr H Harpur-Crewe (Photo: Derby Daily Telegraph .)

NEWS from WA LES

StJOHN FELLOWSHIP

Nationa l First Aid Competitions

1.

3. Ac to n B ' 39 V2 53 90 182 V2

4. Portob e li o H ay marke t 49 40 91 180 5 Norwi c h L oco B 32 49 95 176

6. P o rt T a lb ot 35 56 80 V2 171 V2

CHAMPIONS OF THE CROSS

Written and

illustrated

by Hugh A. R. Edgell, Assistant Chaplain of the Order

THIS is the story of two of the great Military Orders which were part of the everyday in Mediaeval Europe and the Middle East. Many towns and villages in Britain also bear witness to their i1ifluences on local life. The Order of St John wasfounded to provide carefor pilgrims to the Holy Land and the Poor Knights of Christ (The Templars) to give protection to pilgrims on their dangerous journeys. Both of these Orders were to develop far beyond the visions of their founders. Within a few ye,rs, monks and fighting men had become one and the same, wieldi"g immense military and political power in the Holy Land and throughout Europe. Within two centuries one of the Orders was to disappear under a cloud of suspicion and disapproval. The other was to survive to the present day and 'in the process turn full circle to serve its 'masters the sick '. Part 19 (Final)

THE ST JOHN Ambulance Brigade was formed from willing bands of men and women who saw the need for their services. It was not long before boys and girls also wanted to share in the work.

Unfortunately at that time children were not so free to do as th ey wished as they are today, and Victorian parents were not keen to allow their children to take part in SUGh adult activities. Nevertheless , as early as 1903 , some Divisions of the Brigade allowed children to take part in their training, although they had no official recognition However , the children continu e d to show their interest and eventuall y the British Order saw that boys and girls could also play an important part in the Brigade 's work.

On March 15 1922 there appeared the first order from the Brigade that referred to Cadet members. It was proposed to form Cadet Divisions which would be attached to already existing Ambulance and Nursing Divisions , and to train the children in basic first aid and home nursing skills. Before the end of that year , 11 Cadet Divisions for boys had been formed and a further seven for girls There could be no doubt about their keenness.

In the former years , a young man had to reach the age of 16 years before he could be admitted as a novice of the Order of St John. This age limit had been continued by the British Order when it set up the Brigade in 1887. Now, however , boys and girls could be accepted at 11 years, and when they reached the age of 16 they would be eligible for transfer to the adult Division.

The title 'Cadet' was indeed one of which a member could be proud In former years it was the description given to the younger sons of a noble house , and many of the early Knights had been younger sons of an ancient family before joining the Order. The new St John Cadet amply

Act

fulfilled that requirement , for as we h a ve seen in our previous pages he shared a noble heritage. The Nursing Cadets a ls o had a tradition of devoted se rvice t o follow given to them b y th e young women who also enter e d the novitiate of th e Sisters of the Order.

The black and whit e uniform of the adult Brigade and the grey dres ses of the nursing members were now join e d b y the grey uniforms of the Cadets. All of t h em bor e the eight-pointed white cross of the O r d er

St John Cadets

In addition to attending th e first a id and nursing training a nd a kin g th eir a nnu al examinations, th e Ca d ets ca n ga in f urt h e r proficiency in a wide variety of act iviti es.

Camping, sai lin g, handicrafts and cooking are among the man y su bj e ct s covered by the awards of Proficiency Certificates. A Cadet who manages to ga in 12 of t h ese certificates is eligible for th e Grand Pri or ' s Badge , which is h e ld in high regard.

Another award mad e to Cadet members is the Special Service Shield which s ho ws that the Cadet has completed over 200 hours of service. Thi s award m ay be ga in ed by engaging in a varie t y of services tha t are concerned with th e Order 's work . A girl cadet may perhaps h e lp in a ch ildr en ' s nurser y or hom e, or p er hap s vis it e ld erly people who are hou se bound B oys ma y act as messengers for their local doctor make toys for children's hom es, or tid y th e gardens of handicapped peopl e. Girl a nd boy cadets tr y to do whate ver task comes th e ir way and so continue to fulfil th e Order 's mottos to serve the Faith a nd Mankind.

The re cords o f the Ord er are full of instances where cadet member s hav e shown their bravery and skill in sa ving live s and giving aid often in cases of extreme danger to themselves F e w would say that they were not frightened at times, but th e ir duty came first.

The grey and white uniform of the cadet divisions is recognised as a badge of competence and those who wear it wear it proUdly.

There are many instances , of course, when the cadet or adult is called upon to serve when out of uniform. His knowled ge and skill is not s hed when hi s uni f orm is taken off. Wherever he may be , his training and up-to-date knowledge ma y b e called upon at a moment's notic e.

Many cadets go on to se rve in the adult divisions when they reach the age of 16 , and indeed the Cadet Divisions are on e of the main recruiting grounds for th e Brigade's ambulance and nursing divisions.

Som e girl cadets decide to take up nursing as a career, wh ere the ir sk ill and know· le d ge st a nd s them i n good stead Boys can also become m a le -nu rses either in hospitals or in th e fo rces. Whatever they do in life th e ir tr aini n g will be invaluable

In peace

So far we h ave s e e n how the great Foun· dations of the Briti sh Order came into being and developed in their early years

Since then the St John Amb ul anc e Asso c iation , th e Brigad e a nd th e Oph. thalmic Hospital i n Jeru al e m hav e con · tinued to grow in stre n gt h and in flue nce.

The days o f e ngagement in arm e d con· flict by t h e members of the Order may hav e passed in to h e pages of history , but its primary work of caring fo r trav e ll ers an d the sick an d wounded goes on. All over t he British Isle s, and in many land s overseas the e ight-poi n ted white cross (wit h the a dd ition of the L ion and the Unicorn showing it s English foundat ion ) bears witness to the Ord e r s concern a n d care In jungle v ill ages and under de ert skie s, th e e m blem of the Order of St John of Jeru· sa lem brings assur a nc e of im media e assi s· tance in time of need. In Asia and Africa , E ur ope a nd t h e Americas , A u s tr a lasia an d th e islands of the Pacific ocea n , members of m any d ifferent rac e s ca r ryon the wo rk of the Ord er. In its early days, the Ord er was international. Today that traditio n contin u es.

In the British Isl e s the emb l em may be found in a ll kinds of places. In cities an d towns there m ay b e modern buildin gs where th e m e mb ers of the Bri gade m eet for training, and where th e Association a nd B rigade carryon their day-to-da y

An air-raid - Wor ld Warl •

organisation. In the tin iest villa ge you may come acro ss a sm a ll hut or sc h oo lroom with the white cross proudly displayed upon it. By busy main roads or i n country lanes , along river bank s beaches a nd in factory a r eas h e em bl em sh ows th at there is as sista nce r ea dil y avail able whe n required. Perhap s th e occasions when the Brigade is most obv ious l y i n th e public eye are at football m atch es, motor-racing meetings , hors e trials , fe es, county s h ows , parades , a nd by the b each es of holiday resorts The li st of eve nts at which th e Brigade is asked to be ready to h elp is e ndl ess. Treatment give n is equ a ll y vario u s. It may range from dr essing a cut foot to aiding an injured foo tb a ll e r , from removing a piece of grit from an eye to treati ng a badly burned motori st , from home nursing to giving aid to survivors of a train crash or air disaster. No member ad ult or cadet knows when hi s or h e r skill and bravery may be called into act ion

.,. in war

In the warfa r e of centuries ago , members of the Order went into battle armed with swor d and lance , to defe nd those in its care Today the weapons of war are replaced by the weapons of peace - bandages , splints and healing drugs. In years go n e by , members rode into battle on great war-horses. Today they rid e in a mbulances, in ca rs or on bicycles. Years ago they travelled by land and sea. Today the y are equ a lly amphibious , serving on land , o n sea an d in th e air if req uired. The record of the Order and its Foundations in time of war is a vali a nt one. As (co ntinu e d o ve rleaf)

St John Fellowship

ivi ties include camping, sailing

Champions of the Cross (cont.)

we have seen, one of the reasons for th e fo u ndation of the Association and the Brigade was the experiences of the original society called together by the new British Order - 'The Society for Aid to Sick and Wounded in War'. The Brigade had , as one of its objectives, aimed to provid e reserves for the medical branches of the armed forces. In both world wars, and in many other tro ubl ed places in the world, members have come forward to offer their skills and services to the wounded, as well as to those who ha ve suffered as a result of war - the wo und ed civi lians, refugees and prisoners of war

In th e British Isles, members of the ambulance and nursing divisions worked long hours under condit ions of great danger to bring care and aid to those hurt and shocked by the result s of air -r aids. Their skill and bravery saved many live s that wo uld have otherwise been lost or badly scarred Armour would have provide d little defence against the terrible weapons u sed, but treatme nt and care, coupled wi th sympathy, a sense of dut y, and good humour , were more than adequ ate. Many members lost their lives while others were badly injured themselves. These experiences may well be said to take the place of the old caravans ', for skill, bravery and devotion to duty were very necessary in conditions of great danger. The members of old would have been proud of them

The names of many of the ear lier Knights and members of the Order are unknown to us just as the names of those who have suffered in more recent times may not be recorded, but they are united with the famous in their defence of peace and the care of their masters, the sick'.

Champions of the Cross Gerard, founder of The Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, was a B e nedictine monk and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. His fo undat ion was to pro vide care for the trav e ll er, the poor and the sick , under the sign of the cross. His successors shared his ideals , and coupled with the task of defending the Christian Faith they discharged a similar function. Throughout the centuries the two great principles 'For the Faith ' and For the Service of Mankind' dominated the life of the Order.

Today members of The Grand Priory of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem are no longer members of a monastic order and membership is not confined to the Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic and Protestant men a nd women may enter the English Priory while the Foundations of the Priory welcome people of all religions to serve in their ranks.

Years ago, the weapons employed by the Order were forged from iron and steel , and were the weapons of war. Today, its weapons are of steel and modern alloys ,

and are the weapons of peace. The old powders a nd distillations of centuries ago are replaced by modern medical drugs and the products of chemical processes.

The monastic rule required that those e nt er ing the Order sho uld take the oaths 01 Poverty , Chastity and Obedience. Today the English Order is supported by volun· tary contributions , it knows th e value 01 self-control in emergencies , an d the need for obedience to basic rules in renderin! first aid and in nursing the sick.

The old regula tions of the Ordel required that an aspiring member was 01 noble origin. Today , any man, woman 01 child who will devote themselves to thl Order 's work are welcomed into th l Order S Foundations.

Today the barrier formed by re ligiou l allegiance has been largely overcome , an t the Sovereign Order in Rome and thl British Order enjoy good relations am co-operation in their various works. A concordat was signed in 1963.

For nearl y 900 years, the eight- pointe( white cross of the Order of St JOh11 0: Jerusalem has been the symbol of h ope EOI those in need. Those w h o bear it today m less than those w h o bore it centuries ago deserve the title 'C hampions of the Cross THE END.

This book can be obtained price £2 50 a cop: plus 37p postage from SI John Ambulance HQ 59 King Screel, Norwich NRll PH.

stimulating the first cranial nerve. (5). 21. Habitual twitching 0 facial muscles seen in practice. (3). 22. Swollen. (5). 23. Di ea with fever and rash from insect with border. (8). 25. After 51 doct o is a member of body (4).27. Marijuana cigarette for sa il or. (6).30

Great fuss when nothing follows small advertisement. (3). 3? Active and in good health : certainly not a dead-leg. (5 3.7). 33 Inability to pass urine. (9). 34. Strangest centre for a mounta il chain. (5).

Down:

1. A politician before becoming French physicist. (6). 2. (9). 3 Curt in manner in plaster session. (5) 4. Administe attenuated preparation of organisms as prophylactic (9). 5. Con cerned with birth in South Africa. (5 ).6. Tear. (4).7. Hindu oei, class. (5). 8. Firm nose producing carti lage of sternum (8) n Measure an extremity. (4). 15. Twice carry out extinct bird. (4). ]Q N umb er of muscles contributing to movement of each eyeball. (31 17. Epidermis. (5-4). 19. Surgical procedure (9). 20. Result 0 deficient ventilation. (5 .3 ). 24. Oral organ for a division of th Order of St John. (6).26. It's changed after doctor is damp. (5). Mental weariness from seven nuisances. (5). 29. How some deci mals come back to the mind? (5). 31. Physique of one free fro r super fluou s fat. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No. 12 (87)

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.1 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across:

Across: 1. Fleming; 5. Mascara; 9. Second set; 10. Apr on; 11. Ai 12. Uist; 13. Uric; 14. Penis; 16. Audib le; 18. Rubella; 21. Nap ; 21 Patient; 24. Ascites; 27 To·xi·c; 29 Ruby ; 30 Left; 31. Ani; 31 Ba·con; 34. Tongue-tie; 35. Embo lus ; 36. Suffers.

So to find out more about how to make your money work for you, contact Graham Chapman on 0277 - 222222 (Phi llip s & Drew , R egent House Hubert R oad, Brentwood , Essex CM14 4QO) a nd ask for an exp lana tory leaflet. The Order of St John 7-day Money Fund A service from Phillips & Drew

JOHN MILLS, Director of Public Relations

ST JOHN REVIEW

HELP FOR OUR HOSPITAL

PRMESSAGE OF THE MONTH

AS YOU WILL have seen in January s Revi e w , there is a PR aim for 1988 involving a monthly message for us all to put across to anyone we come into contact with.

Each of the four seasons of the year has an overall PR theme:

Winter (until the end of March)CARING

Spring (April to June inclusive)FUND-RAISING

Summer (July and August)ACTION

Autumn (September , October November)TRAINING & RECRUITING

(The Awareness Week will be from June 24 to July 3 and will include both Fund-raising and Action as main themes - but more on this later in the year!)

Annual St John Week

As a result of the great success in 1987 of concentr a ting public 'awareness' on a particular period , it h as been decided that the St John Awalieness Week should become an annual event. This means that fund-rais ing activitie s will be concentrated into a nine-day period every year, running from the Friday before St John's Day to the following Sunday , both inclusive. During this time the PR Department will organi se and co-ordinate an awareness campaign designed to h a ve maximum effect on fund-raising. Ideally countie s and divisions should undertake their hou se -to-house collections and other fund-raising activities during this period.

February

The force and effectiveness of the monthly message is that throughout the country we are stressing the same points about St John. For you to make it most effective locally, it needs to be relevant to your communit y Therefore do not feel you have to use only national pUblicity or national statistics, but use your own experiences and examples to bring out these points.

1. Does St fohn Ambulance only run first-aid courses?

Answer - NO! Of course we run first-aid courses, but also Caring for the Sick , Child Welfare and a new self-help course ' Home Care for the Elderly

2. Why does not St fohn A mbulanc e get involved in providing welfare facilities?

Answer - WE DO! Most counties have St John Nursing! Medical Aid Depots where the general public can loan such items as wheelchairs , commodes , back-rests , bedpans, bed cradles, walking sticks (If you aren t sure if your county has this facility, your Divisional Officer or County Secretary will have details.)

Dat es for th e nex t t en years are as fo llo ws:

The Centenary Appeal p.26

Nationwide Services Celebrate Centenary p 27

Annual National Raffle p.28

Cadet Leader of the Year p 29

Heroes p.29

Foreign Secretary at SJA Dinner p.30

Civil Aviation Centre p.30

Three Cross Award Scheme p.31

Around and About by the Editor p.32

Grand Prior's Trophy p.36

Block Buster (10) p 38

Cadet Focus by Jim p 39

Order Investiture, December 3 pAO

Readers'Views pA2

News from Scotland - Wales - N. Ireland pA4

Overseas - St John Fellowship

Southend's Cadets and Badgers pA5 p.46

TWO AMBITIOUS projects have been mounted to raise funds for the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem this year. Our hospital now carries out around 5,000 eye operations and tr ea t s up to 50,000 out-patients every year , but running costs in recent years h ave risen to £1.3 million per annum. This h as strained the Order's finances so it is hop ed that an endowment fund can be created to provide a sec ure and predictable income for the hospital in the future. In March James Nash , an Esquire of the Order of St John, is to set out on an adventurous ride in the footsteps of the first Crusaders to raise £85,000 to endow a bed in th e Ophthalmic Hospital. He i s undertaking the journey of a ppro ximately 1,500 miles on horseback , fo llowin g the route of the original Crusade from Istanbul to Jerusalem as closely as possible. He es timate s that the journey will take four months on a rou te through Turkey, Syria and Jordan. James ash is personally funding all expenses for the project , so that every penny donated will be used to keep the hospital running . He has alread y raised £26 ,000 and if you would like to join him in supporting the hospital by collec tin g sponsors hip on his behalf please write for a sponsor form to Liz Ganney , Centenary Appeal Office, St John Amb ul ance HQ , 1 Grosvenor Crescent London SW1X 7EF. Alternatively if you would like to send a donation in support of this project , send a cheque made payable to The St John Ophthalmic Hospital' clearly marked for the James Nash Ride to the address above. (More on this will follow.)

Another ambitious fund -r ais ing project is to be led by Mrs Margaret Jones , Divisional Superintendent of Stourbridge ursing Cadets. W ith two enthusiastic friends, she will undertake a 14-day trek through the mountainous terrain of Nepal.

Mrs Jones , aged SO, was inspired to raise money for the hospital after she wo rk ed there for a month early last year. J ean Horne , a Sister at the hospital in Jerusalem and Christine Sorsbe. an Ophthalmologist in Portsmouth , have agreed to join her on the trip.

The women propose to walk from Pokhara to the Annapurna Sanct uary in Nepal , covering 125 miles over 14 days The trip has cost them their savings and all money raised will be donated to hospital funds

Those wishing to sponsor this trek can apply to JuJie Donegan Public R e lations D e partmen t , at National HQ Ca d dre s above) for sponsor forms , or contac t Mrs M. Jones , 17 Maidstone Drive , Wordstey , Stourbridge , W. Midla nd s (Tel: 0384 270985)

COVER HRH The Du c hess of Glou cester Commandant-in-Chief for Wales, receives a bouquet - and a smile - from Clare Bon ham, 9-ye a r-old Badger when she opened an SJA centenary exhibitio n at W rexham accompanied by Clwyd Comm ssioner, Roy Eat on (Photo Wrexham Evening Lea der) 25

Progress Report Nationwide Services

After the service t h e Lord Prior , Major-General The Earl Cathcart, accompanied by other Great Officers of the Order of St John , wearing full Order regalia, I processed from the Chapel down steps lin e d by members of St John.

The Governor of Windsor Castle, members of St John Ambulance in Berkshir e, the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead the Chairman of Berkshire County Council and other guests attended the service at which the Dean of the Chapel officiated.

-!!!!IC--''1

ONE TIME rivals Hank Auerbach (left), Managing Director UK & Northern

At National HO, (left) Ros Earlie Ap p Europe PAN AM, and Larry Langley Manager and (righ t) Kathleen Dun Ci (centre), former .Ge neral Manager TWA Marketing Directo r UK (1973 -8 4), Jomed forces at the annual fund-raising St John Ball at the Hotel ,--_______________ Inter-Continental Hyde Park Corner, on December 2. They are pictured here with NEW YEAR HONOURS 1988 Lord Westbury (right), chairman of the

THE FOLLOWING HONOURS have bee St John Ambulance Brigade Centenary awarded to members of the Ord er of St Joh Appeal and host of the evening a nd four for public services not nece ssa rily connected of the eight PAN AM stewardesses who the Order. helped sell raffle tickets at the Ball.

For your information, the CHIEF COMMANDER has written to all County Commanders, Chairmen of Council, County Commissioners and Appeal Directors as follows:

1987 was a historic and remarkable year for aU of us in St John Ambulance The many special events throughout the country, highlighted by the Great Party in Hyde Park , have put us at the start of 1988 in a position where our public image and the understanding of our work by the public have probably never been higher or better. congratulate you all wholeheartedly, and am deeply grateful for the splendid work done by so many to have made this possible. Having achieved all this, it is obviously most important to exploit it during 1988 and this letter asks you to continue to maintain the momentum particl!llaFly in the fields 0f publicity and Fund -

26

Raising. So far as the Centenary Appeal is concerned, it was envisaged fairly early on that we should not reach our flO million arget in one yea r and this is why the time was extended Bearing in mind this extension, I beli eve we are on target a nd well able to achieve our goal. urge you all therefo re to redouble your efforts this year to raise the money we aU need so much We shall no t have an opportunity like thi s again for many years, a nd you know that we here will do all we can to help you. So in every way, but particularly in the work of publicity and Fund-Raising wish you all a very happy and swccessful year in 1988.

Knight Bachelor PAN donated the first prize of two K. G. Oxford , Member of Counci l, Merseyside first class tIckets on any of the carrier's KCVO seven daily non-stop flights to America

The Very Rev Alan Webster, Sub-Prelate of from Heathrow. The Ball raffle raised a the Order total of £6,040 from the guests, and the OBE whole evening raised a net profi t of over

A. A. W. Weston, Secretary , Civ il Avi atio n £61,000 towards their Centenary Appeal Cent re Heathrow target of £10 million.

G. C. Hinckley, Chai rm an of Cou ncil For the past four years Larry Lanaley Derbyshire who was appointed an Officer of the Orde; MBE of St J?hn last June, has assisted the Ball

Mi ss J. Bark er , Co unty Staff Officer, Grade II chairman Lord Westbury in Nursmg Ca dets, Humberslde h31smg WIth Britain 's travel industry to Mrs M. J. Bowm an, Co ntr oll er, Air Win g secure travel awards which have raised

Mi ss B. J Taylor, Hospitals £25,000 for the St John Ambulance Welfare Department , JOInt Co mmIttee. Bngade.

: 9

CADET LEADER OF THE YEAR ,

(Above) Becontree Heath (London) cadets who offered to sort raff le t icke ts Suzanne Blunden Karen Pester Kelly Samue , Trevor Johnson and Nick Doorman (Left) Lord Westbury draws the winning ticket at National HQ on Dec 2, with Dawn Bennett Lord Westbury 's assistant, and Pau Bumstead HQ's County Appeals Liaison Off ice r

ANNUAL NATIONAL

RAFFLE

STAND BY FOR THE 1988 LUCKY DIP FOR A FORD CAR THIS TIME

.

THIS YEAR the Appea l Department 8'

National Headquarters is once again Ie organise a nationwide raffle with severa magnificent prizes , including a car. A brand new Ford car will be on offer to thl lu cky h o ld er of the ticket which is first ou of the drum n ext December. Tickets for the raffle will be avai lable the usua l way fro m National Headquart en in May. However , a plea comes from th l raffle orga ni sers that co unti es a nd divisio Th s h o uld not request more tickets tha n are certain to sell. Sad ly, la s t year of un so ld tickets were returned to HQ jus days before the draw , whi le we kno! divi ions elsewhere in th e country we ll desperate fo r m ore to se ll.

A host of comp lex rules surrou n d th, organisi n g of raffles which , for obviou reasons, is str ct l y monitored by Ihl Gaming Board Under the Board's regu lations, we are limited in the number 0 tickets that can be distributed - an i £120,000 worth. Obviously this in tU limits the number we can print an circul ate for sale. Even for a raffle on th: scale of ours, this limit st ill exists and rh, Gami ng Board also st ipul ate a maximu n retail value of £6,000 for the firs t prize

There is no large r sc h eme which we car join.

The winning ticke t holder Jonathan Wa ters 16 yea rs old, of Exeter , is presented with the keys of his new car by David Hayward East Devon Area Commissioner But Jonathan will have to wait unt July - when his is 17 - before h e can put his L-plates up Meanwhile he said he might let his mum drive it. (Photo: John F. Sculpher, Exete r)

Last year the raffle raised a grand tol e of £90,000, w hi ch w ill certain ly have dO li much to boost county ce nt e n ary ap peal aro und the country. T h e first-prize winne was a 16-year -o ld from Exeter, Jonath 31 Walters. N at ur a ll y, h e tells u s h e is forward enormo u s ly to hi s first lesso n!

Much of th e valiant work in tick e ts was don e b y cadets from B eco ntre Division in London and Dawn B e nn el says s he is ete rn a ll y grateful for their he\ which e nabl e d her to get some slee p the la s t hectic d ays b efore th e draw!

For further inform a tion: Dawn Bennert National Raftle, St John Ambulance HO 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWIX 7Ef Telephone: 01-235 5231.

'THERE WERE no losers. All should be proud of what they have done for themse lv es, for their families and for St John Ambulance' , said competition organiser Jim Bond of the 29 cadets who gathered at Gilwell Park on December 11 for the 1987 Ca det Leader of the Year competition.

The cadets spent a toug h weekend being assessed in their skills, confidence and abi lity to lead. Each cadet was faced with three challenges: to give a five minute talk on the future of St John Ambulance, prepare a training programme for a division and attend a panel interview.

However, it was not all hard work. Also on the agenda for the weekend was a visit to National Headquarters and a sightseeing

tour of London by night. And their first-aid skills were called on when journeying by coach into the city centre a traffic accident occurred just in front of them. A motorcyclist and car collided and J ennie Eaves and Jim Bond, assisted by several cadets, carried out first aid. Stopping the London traffic , though was reported by one cadet to be a far harder task than doing first aid.

After a gruelling but rewarding weekend the eventual winner was an nouncedSimon Stockill, of Ripon , North Yorkshire , and equal second place went to Amanda Rees , of Worcester, and John Rench , of Poole.

Presenting the prizes on behalf of the

Automobile Association, whose patrols are trained by St John Ambulance and with whom the Aeromedical Service works closely , Andrew Johnson commented: 'It is very encouraging for me and my colleagues to know that there is such a strong future for St John '. Cadet Leader of the Year Simon Stockill won a portable TVlradio set donated by the AA and also £300 for his division from St J ohn. Joint runners-up Amanda and John , were given personal stereos by the AA and £150 for their divisions. The overall standard of the competition was very high and Jim Bond reported that everyone took part with great ent hu siasm.

the Year, Simon Stockill of Ripon, receives the winner's certificate from John Sunderland Commissioner-inCh ie

(Above) John Rench of Poole (left), and Amanda Ree s of Worcester, rece ive personal stereos from the AA's Andrew Johnson as runners-up

Line-up of the competitors in the 1987 Cadet Leader of the Year competit on held at Gilwell Par k.

Foreign Secretary at SJA Dinner

THE FIRST national St John Ambulance Association dinner , held at th e Naval & Military Club in London on November 25 1987 , was a happy and soc ially glittering evening. Sir Geoffrey Howe , QC, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Lady Howe were the principal guests.

Director-General , Robert Balchin , and Mrs Balchin , greeted th e guests of honour on arrival with the Chief Commander , Major-General Peter Leuchars, the Secretary-Genera l of the Order of St John , Lt-General Sir Peter Hudson, and the Chief Pre si dent , Mrs Harold Phillips. Over 150 guests, many wearing the Order of St John, sat down to a four-course meal in the lovel y main dining-room of the Sir Stephen Miller presents the 10,000th certificate to Paul Sander s.

THE 10,000th St John Ambulance first-aid certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Centre was presented to Paul Sanders, of 30

ASSOCIATION DINNER TO BE ANNUAL EVENT

'In and Out ' Among them were Lt-

General Sir Cameron Moffat, SurgeonGeneral to the Forces Surgeon Rear Admira l G. J. Milton-Thompson, Assistant Surgeon - General MOD , Air ViceMarshal F. C. Hurrell Assistant SurgeonGeneral, Royal Air Force , Sir Mon tague and Lady Levine, Brigadier Rita Hennessy, Director Army Nursing Services, Mr Peter Spurrier, Portcullis Pursuivant, and the Hon Mrs Spurrier, many County Dir ectors and their wives , representatives from Special Centres, and many other important guests from industries active in the affairs of St John Ambulance.

The Director-General made an amusil and apt introduction to a humorous at appropriate speech by Sir Geoffrey, wh o know ledge of the history and prese service of St John Ambulance impr esS! everybody.

The guests without exception expresS! their enthusiasm for the dinner and event will be repeated this year (so plea watch out for the date for your diaries) Funds from a raffle at the end of I evening were later presented to I Brigade as an Association co ntribut towards their centenary year. TI Director-General thanked Mr Malcolm (A.D-G.) and Mrs Lucy Wat e for all their hard work in the organisatir of such a marvellous even t.

Landmark for Civil

Aviation Centre

British Airways by Sir Stephen Miller, Hospitaller of the Order, in November.

The force behind the success of the Centre is Arthur Weston, the Secretary and just made an OBE, who h as been associated with St John for 48 years. Last year he was invested a Knight of the Order by th e Grand Prior, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, at a ceremony at St James's Palace. At a special dinner to celebrate his investitur e, the Civil Aviation Authority present ed Arthur with a model steam engine inscribed 'Knight of St John ' and 'Grea t We ston'l

limited his wife suggested he join the local St John Ambulance division in Feltham. Arthur became particularly immersed in teaching first aid and for severa l years worked in the training department of London District headquarters. When the 'Kiss of Life' method of artificial respiration was first introduced in 1960, he quickly became an expert at it and was asked to demonstrate it on many occasions.

Own expenses

It was Arthur's role as an instructor that led to his involvement in teaching in the aviation industry. In 1964 he was asked to

THREE CROSS

AWARD SCHEME

Pupils Given Top Marks BUDDING FIRST-AlDERS at Swanmore Midd le School, Ryde , Isle of Wight , were rewarded with certificates and badges at the end of an important 12-week course.

All aspects of basic first aid were covered in the lessons - which was just one option in the school's 'carouse l study ' period, when pupils have th e choice of classes in one of six subjects.

The first-aid course under the tuition of Mrs Jan Cole proved popular and all 15 pupils passed their One Cross Award with flying colours.

St John Ambulance representative Mr Brian Wilson presented the pupils with their certifica tes.

Policing Today Exhibition

The Three Cross Award scheme was wide ly publicised at this exhibition held by Cheshir e Constabulary. There were some 6,000 visitors to the exhibition and a lot of interest was shown in the Schools Project. The display has now gone on tour around local schoo ls.

Our photograph show s Mrs June Davies , the teacher at Christleton County High School who is involved with the Three Cross Award, with Police Constable Johnson, Schools Project Officer for both St John Ambulanc e and Ch eshire Constabulary. Ambulance Cadet Leader Stephen Ashford is assisting PC Johnson

Pre -GCSE Emergency Aid

The Three Cross A ward scheme was part , of a pre-GCSE training scheme held b Arthur obtained his first first-aid certf Ra nk Educational Organisation cate shortly before he volunteered for UBnghton. The young students 12 t 13 Army in September 1939. In 1940 he years old, found the One captured while rendering first aid very enjoyable. Alan Popplewell, Deputy wounded colleagues, and spent five yea Headmaster Of. Holmshill School, as a prisoner-of-war in Poland. Whi le said: 'Our staff tell me that the Stalag VIlIB camp at Lamsdorf he ! the first-aid c,?urse was the most pro- esslOnal and hIghly rated ff d up a workshop to make surgical apphano d · h sessIOn 0 ere d unng t elr week at Bnghton and the and artlficlal hmbs for the Alhed woun e pupils have come back t h I O E I d A h a sc 00 enn returnmg to ng an r t USlast!C to learn more. Since Septembe interest in first aid developed rapidly wh e we have timetabled a health due to poor health he was made first l lesson for our fourth year (12-13-yearattendant at a Ministry of Defence vehll ?lds) and were already considering the depot. As hi s know le dg e of first aid mcluslON of a first aid element in this

train air stewardesses from British Eagle , who initially paid their own expenses and gave up their own time to learn first aid. In fact , Arthur recalls that the first training session took place on a Sunday morn in g at a stewardess'S fiat in West London!

From those humble beginnings the teaching of first aid in the aviation industry expanded enormously and the Civ il Aviation Centre was set up in January 1971. Although he has obviously put many hours of effort into St John Ambulance work, Arthur Weston still says he gets 'a lot of fun out of it'. He enjoys meeting people through St John and has promised that his St John days are ' not finished yet!'.

a ll

successfully

new

course. I am sure yo u will Se pleased to learn that we have now sent off for the Three Cross Award vi d eo and will incorporate this in our work next spring.

Schools nominated for the new certificate

A"on

St Mary R adcliffe & Temple School, Somerset Square, Bristol. Cheshire

Neston Compre h ensive School , Raby Park Road, Neston, South Wirral.

Ambleside Junior School, Cumbria. South & West Yorkshire Hartshead Moor School , Cleckbeaton. Surrey

Court Lodge Middle School, Harley . Warren Mead Middle School , Round Way, Banstead.

See page 41 for counties which awarded the 'New Certificate' during 1987.

Anne Macleod, Schools Project Manager

(Above) Ryde's Swan more Middle School pupils with certificates (Photo: Isle of Wight County Press) (Right) Publicity for Three Cross Award at Cheshire Police exhibition, with PC Johnson. (Below) The

certificate for

schools which

train over 50 pupils for the One Cross Award.

Cumbria

200TH FLIGHT

In the early hours of December 15, the St John Ambulance Air Wing was called on by UK Transplant for the 200th time in 1987. And so a patient in a London hospital received a new heart flown from Teesside and was soon progressing well.

The mission was flown by Mike Watson, of Goosnaugh, near Preston, and his copilot, Jack Hilton of Worsley, Greater Manchester, two of the Wing's 60 volunteer pilots. Mike Watson's Partenavia P68 twin engined aircraft left Blackpool , its

Feb

F€b

home base which remained open specially for the flight, at 10 pm on December 14. They flew to Teesside to pick up the valuable cargo and then delivered the heart to Heathrow Airport , where they landed on the main runway in the early hours of the morning.

The mission was organised from the Wing's control centre at St Margaret's Hospital , Epping, Essex by volunteer controllers John Tompkins from Ongar , and Pat Bowen , from Frinton-on-Sea.

IN BELFAST

HRH Princess Alice visited Belfast during November and at a special reception at Stormont met Brigade members along with multiple sclerosis sufferers and people who help them.

In our picture (above) Princess Alice is speaking to Alan Hutchinson 16, from East Belfast , and Karen Boyd, 17 , from Cookstown, during her visit to Stormont. Alan, from YMCAlAshfield Boys High School AlAC Division, is the Northern Ireland Cadet Leader of the Year. Karen and he have both been cadets for five years.

AROUND ABOUT

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST BY THE EDITOR

best summer in Newquay for three years. Two-hundred-and-fifty casualties were treated with compassion and great efficiency and all members were a credit to the Brigade.

DIS Doreen Speare , ably supported by two members from Malvern Nursing Division , opened the season in July and liked the duties so much that she asked to return to fill a vacant week in August. Four 'likely lads ' on a repeat visit headed by ASO Keith Griffin from East Durham Area continued the coverage in mid-July Ken Perry, on his third visit from Pershore Quad Division , stayed a fortnight and was supported by nursing members. :n:ey were most helpful and enthusiastic, ]Ollllng Newquay Division covering a busy week of public duties in Newquay's 1900 week celebrations , in addition to Beach Hut duty.

IN THE

MOOD

Members of Biggin Hill Division are delighted to learn that band leader Joe Loss had agreed to become their president.

The Division 's 20 me mb ers had come to know Joe Loss quite well si nce his orchestra played each year at th e Battle of Britain hangar dance at Biggin Hill Airfield and the St John first-aiders were also on duty each year.

Mrs Winn Henn who is in charge of the Division , says that Joe Loss readily agreed to become the presid en t although he explained that his world-wide tr ave ls with the orchestra meant that they would not see too much of him

The Division at Biggin Hill was formed in 1976 at the instigation of Father Richard

Hickey , of St Theresa 's Church and t had given it every s upport until illne' forced him to retire to Worthing la st yem

The members use premises at the airfie for their week ly training eve nin g an apart from local duties, attend with the ambulance at major eve nts in cenln London.

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Once again the First Aid Post on Net quay 's Town Beach was open fro m July 1987 until mid-September , thanks to II willing and ent hu sia st ic support ff(Y St John members throughout the countr) The groups which came during II school holidays had the best of II weather, with continual sunshine and II

TO GETH

Also on a return visit after missing 1986 v;-as Garry Saynor and his very smart contlOgent of three ambulance members from Bredbury and Romiley Division , Greater London was represented with the amval of DIS Keith Miller, his wife

First aid duty by the sea at Newquay - N/ M Catherine Martin (Pershore Div) and N/C Pippa Clarey (Bridgwater Div) See story WISH YOU WERE HERE

THANKS MUM!

Southend s AIM John Logan pays up after losing a bet that he would never have to salute his mumnewly-a ppointed Deputy County Commissioner Mrs Joan Logan He duly saluted very smartly and paid up. (Photo: David Merritt)

Cadet Corporal Tonia Stephens , Winchcombe Div , received the 'Capt Nirac Award for Bravery' for tending a shopper with a heart attack (Photo Cheltenham Newspaper Co).

GLOS

Yeovi s newly-formed Quadrilateral Div sion shol how impressive togetherness can be We wish the Division, which a very busy centenary yea best wishes for the future

(Right) Some of the newly enrolled cadets of North Cotswold Quad Division, which has just been formed at Bourton-on-theWater, with Area Comm J. L. Wilkinson and the Rev Canon Charles Pickthorn. (Photo: Norman Preece). (Left) N/M Mrs Sue Wrout, who helps with Winchcombe Cadets enjoys a cup of tea with one of her neighbours, Mrs Joan who nominated Sue for a local Good Neighbour Award, which she won (a Christmas shopping trip to London). Sue helps neighbours with shopping and even cutting their hair. (Photo Cheltenham Newspaper Co).

HRH Princess Alice chats to cadets during a visit to Belfast

An international first aid competition, started 10 years ago by Mrs Joan Logan, now Deputy Comm Essex, and which now involves teams from South Africa, Hong Kong Australia, New Zealand, Canada and three from the UK (the results are phoned to Mrs Logan) resulted in a win for Sussex

and cadet daughter accompanied by DIS Johnny Squires and his wife , all very efficient and enthusiastic members from London TraN.sport Corps' EImers End and Harrow Divisions.

During the school holidays Cadet Pippa Clarey, from Bridgwater, who was staying in Newquay with her grandparents, turned out in uniform to help.

Newquay ' s Beach Hut will be open in 1988 and the Ambulance Hall 's fiat (two bedrooms with four beds , living room, bathroom and WC) will be available to accommodate up to six visitors. As before the flat will be rent-free to St John members, crockery and cutlery provided , but it will be necessary for them to bring sleeping bags.

It is hoped to open the 1988 season on Saturday, June 18 and close on Saturday , September 10. Any groups of St John qualified first-aiders or nurses wishing to come to Newquay to undertake this beach hut first aid duty should contact Secretary John Slocombe, 72 Bonython Road , Newquay TR7 3AL (telephone 0637-873840).

MOUNTAIN OF MONEY

At 9.15 pm on November 1 BBC Radio Derby's fifth annual major charity fund-

raising effort Money Mountain '87 passed its target of £35,000. So ended 26 hours of on-air auctioneering , which had started at 7.30 the previous morning , with the first of 690 lots of goods and services donated by celebrities , companies and individuals in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire.

Money Mountain '87 was in aid of Derbyshire St John Ambulance s centenary appeal and the proceeds are to be used to buy a 20ft mobile first-aid unit and 4-wheel drive ambulance towing vehicle , which will bear t he Radio Derby and Money Mountain 87 logo.

Radio Derby programme organiser , Nick Willmot said: 'We considered five or six very deserving causes this year, but we went for St John Ambulance b ecause we thought their needs would capture the imagination of all the listener s. The y're always in evidence , from the B ase ball Ground to the county show, and thou san ds of people must have benefited from their service.

Commander St John Ambulance for Derbyshire , Colonel John Hetherington , thanking listeners and donors for their overwhelming generosity , said: 'It is fantastic that you have made it possible for us to purchase this much needed unit. On behalf of the member s of St John

After 40 years associated with St John, the Marchioness of Normanby (centre) retired recently as President of North Yorkshire's Coastal Area. Here at a retirement supper at Mulgrave Castle are: (L to R, front) Dr J. Wh itehead, A/Surg; A/Comm J Morley; Lady Normanby; D/A/Comm Miss N. Outhet; D/A/Comm H. Fowler. (Back) ANO Mrs J Wearing; ASOs S. Giles, W. Gadd, Mrs G. Hogson and A. Hodgson.

Lancashire's Padiham Division rece ive a shareo the proceeds of an open day at which £3,000 wa raised by a local firm of Mullard Ltd Sergeant Norman Mitchell collected the cheque.

Ambulance in the county , I can only than l you and say that we look forwa rd to bell! of even greater service to you all in tht future.

WHAT OTHERS THINK

The following review of the 5th edition First Aid Manual , of St John Ambulance St Andrew s Ambulance Association am the British Red Cross Society , appeared ir Ba sics Journal of November 1987.

The new Fifth Edition of the First Ai r Manual continues in the sty le of the Fourtl Edition which was reviewed in this journa five years ago. The chapters on shock unconsciou sness, fractures and emergenq childbirth have been revised. Spinal ifr juries have received specia l attention am the influence of Dr J H E. Bak er as Consultant is very apparent. Following th l recent controversy about the po sition it is intere s ting to note thl emergence of 't h e spinal injury position '. It is most encouraging to see th l dictum that all unconscious road acc id en' victims should be presumed to have , cervical spine injury until otherwise.

The major criticism in the review of till Fourth Edition was the suggestion th!

MAYOR CALL!

The Mayor and Mayoress of Sheffield ,C and Mrs P. Horton on a recent visit to Sheffield Area HQ where demonstratiol of SJA training were laid on for them.

At the opening of Tewkesbury (Glos) Division 's new HQ. (L to R) County Commander, Dr W Ellis; the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Anne Cadbury; County Commissioner, Major P. Gobourn Area Comm L. J Wilkinson; and the Rev J S Haughan (Photo Cheltenham Newspapers)

medical aid could only be provided at hospital or surgery. It is a pleasing recognition of BASICS that medical aid is now defined on the first pag e as treatment by a doctor at hospital, surgery or at the sce ne

The major criticism of this edition mu st be the retention (albeit in an appendix) of the Holger Neilsen method of re suscit at ionstill advocated for those trapped face down. I fear it is retained solely for the benefit of lay instructors and examiners. Most contemporary experts consider it ju st does not work!

The illustrations are of a very high standard and the text is generally clearer and better set out than before. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a welcome addition and we can finally say goodbye to the ring pad around a foreign body. A new section on crush injuries is perhaps a little confusing. It could be interpreted as only a call for medical assistance and the emergency services if still trapped after one hour. They should of course be called at once but the speed of release together with

ESSEX

intravenous therapy should always be medically controlled 10 prolonged cru sh injuries.

.All in all an encouraging revision. First Ald theory and practice is not static and book will need regular revision to keep it accurate and relevant.

Dr B. Robertsoo

ON A WING AND A PRAYER

The story of the St John Ambulance Air Wing , Erratum, page 46. Laurie Ha wes, Chief Executive, Air Wing , wrztes:

Corringham (Esse x) Division s new ambulance, a bequest from the late Mrs Vera Young and her husband, is dedicated by the Rev David Prior the Parish Vicar (L to R) D S Mrs Joyce Gallagher Solicitor Mr Rainbird County Commander Mr J. Bird , and the Mayoress and Mayor of Thurrock

MOBILITY

SUFFOLK

Haverhill (Suffolk) Quad Division's new ambulance (£1,000 was donated by The Edwina Mountbatten Trust) was dedicated by the Rev Andrew Haig and the County Commissioner Archie Mayes Also with members were Area Comm Alan Feaver, the Rev Sian Yates, President Dan Pillar, D/Surg Dr Edmund Gardner and the D/Supt, Mrs Beryl Wade

We are delighted to report that Charles (not Da vid) Strasser has written from Jersey to say he is alive and kicking. Furthermore his c:o-pilot was Fred and not Maureen Hold croft when they miraculously escaped the crash. Charles wrote off his Piper PA 34 Seneca II In fact the kidney was oot u sed but Pro fessor Polak wrote a charming letter of to Charles congratulating him on his courage and regretting the kidne y mismatch.

We apologise to Charles and are grateful to learn the true facts.

6.

3.

4.

1.

Grand Prior's Trophy

WINNERS

MEN'S PAIRS

Reserves

1.

2.

3.

4

the

Grand

's

Competitio n

December 1. This year 33 teams competed in pairs il three sectio ns of the competit ion for Men, Women am Open , and prizes were awarded to the highest sco rin! individuals and teams in w h at is believed to be thl world's largest first-a id competition.

WOMEN'S PAIRS

The teams were called to real emergency situation with very li fe lik e 'casua lties -a man , for example, wh( Runners-up: had fallen from a cliff sustaining frac tur es to the sku. British Telecom (Sheffield ) and leg. Other competitors were faced with a casualn Third : who had fallen from a ladder suffering fractures, British Rail London Transport Rail (Crewe) sprained wrist and lacerated thigh. H· h . Aft k · f· Ig est scormg woman: er nerve -racll1g day 0 a( No 2, Ms S Cliff Police (Stafford h opporturuty to relax and admire the maglllficeo Police) 5 Ire This was the first yea r of Pa ir Champion reserve: compet itIOn, and there were several Impr eSSive ad Ms P. Thomas Police (St ff d h· ditions to the collection - the British Gas Sir Delli Police) a or sire Ro oke' Cup, the Nationa l Dock Labour Board Cup and salvers presented by the Post Office and Coal. The prize-giving ceremony was pr es ided over by tn

OPEN PAIRS

Director-General Robert Balchin , and the guest 0 honour was the The Right Honourable The Viscou n Tonypandy In a lively and entertaining s peech , Vi! count Ton ypa nd y str essed the importance of the lint St John Ambulance Hailsham , the b etwee n St John Ambulance and industry and COiJI Open Pairs winners, with the Sir Denis Rooke Trophy mented on th e vItal role of St John Amb ul ance 'ca re n Ch in societ y. ampionship trophy ,. \ St John Amb ulance Brigade Proud WlOners of t h e Men s C h ampIOnshIp (Hailsham Division) w as a team from C r ewe representing Britis h Rail wh u Runne Staffordshire Police went home with the Wome n British (Colchester) P ans tro phy th e Horsham R ose Bowl. The Open Pau Third : was w.on by a St John Ambulano British Gas (East Midlands) team .fro m Hallsham Highest scoring man: In hiS cl?SlOg remarks, sa No 1, Mr B. Perry, Stjohn Ambulance that the Wider St John fa mtl y III the llldu stnes 51 Brigade (Hailsham Division) everyo.ne a wonderful exa m pIe of I Highest scoring woman: first aId and that they m ake th ei r workplaces an No 2, Miss K. Denton, British T inde e d this country a safer place in which to liv e. (Colchester) e ecom Champio n reserve: Mr T McLaugh lin Post Office (Gla sgow LDO)

The game that is making learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, Chorley, Lanes PR7 6AP. A s c Q E I L G

M H N o K J p F T B R D

SJA BLOCK

B

U

ST ER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, Chorley (Lanes) Centre Secretary, for first aid questions. 180 schools in Lancashire, as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER.

1988 No. 14

MEN'S UNIFORM JACKET RES-rVLED FOR 1988

All future supplies of the men's jacket will revert to a four button front instead of the present fly front. Except for this change , the style will remain as at present. A conversion service will be available to purchasers of the fly front jacket who wish to modify their jacket

to the four button style The jacket is not suitable for home conversion. The conversion, complet.ed inv.olves fitting a complete new facmg. To convert a Jacket SImply return the jacket(s) to St John Supplies together with an order quoting

one unit of U80006 for each jacket returned. The conversion costs £13.20 but we are specially subsidising the price and only £7.59 will. be (including return postage to you). The serVIce WIll be avaIlable throughout 1988 so jackets can be

How to play (if you don't already know) when convenient to you. If you send a number at one

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the to label )acket in a way so you can master asks them that question. If they answer correctly they have scored th lIdentIfy when It s returned. We arm to return the square. The object is to take all the squares in a line vertically or Jackets m four weeks but if the early demand is great in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to bloddehvery tImes may h.ave be The s tyling change will any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of ru add £1.50 to the sellmg pnc e of new Jackets. the lines being blocked, so that neither team can complete a line, the game i all square. Order U80000 (New Sty/e) £57.45

U80006 Jacket Conversion (your own jacket) £7.50

CENTENARY RANGE SALE

Our Centenary range was sought after Collectors everywhere. Only a few . . Items Many have already sold

GAME TEN

A. A graze or minor wound of the skin.

B. A flexible bony column extending from the base of the neck to the small of the back.

C. A tubular channel or passage as to the ear or via the intestines.

D. An agent that reduces the normal activity of any body system or function.

E. The tympanic membrane

F. A rise in the body temperature above the normal of 98.6°P or 37°C.

G. Death and decay of part of the body due to cessation of blood supply.

H. An hereditary disorder in which blood either fails to clot or does so very slowly

38 I. J. K. L. M. N. o. P. Q. R. S.

The type of fracture where the bones are dnven mto eacout. We ve just printed a Sale list. This other. will be the last chance to bu t b . . A

Part of the small intestine which is about four -fifths of h a argam prices. ccount whole small intestine. S ave been maIled WIth a copy and now IS the

A fibrous protein that forms the body's fingernails. tIme. to sUI?plement your collection but hurry because

The inner of the ear. the hnes nc:>t be repeated. If you haven 't received

A proce ss m. the temporal bone.. your own lIst, nng Salesline now

A drug that mduces stupor and msenslbll1ty.

The closing or obstruction of a hollow organ.

An awareness of the heartbeat.

The first movement of a body in the womb.

The terminal part of the large intestine.

A boat shaped bone in the wrist.

Relating to bones in the ankle.

SATURDAY OPENING

gur Showroom is open again this time on Saturday 19th arch. We'll be having an "oddment" sale on that day and there'll be some real bargains available. We hope to see you.

Answers on p'

There are still a few copies available of the a ll-colour souvenir book of the Great St John Party. With dozens of photographs of al the events this is a lasting memento of that magnificent day. Don 't dela y getting a cop y if you haven't already done so. County offices h ave copies and there's a supply at Priory House , for callers.

STOP PRESS - CHRISTMAS DESPATCHES

To ensure your orders reached you as quickly as possible, we despatched all orde r s for stock it ems received b y 23 rd December that same day. Thousan ds of items were despatched in the da ys before Christmas. Throughout the ye ar we've been able to keep within our delivery promise and our average despatch time for stock it ems, from the time you dated yo ur order to despatch from ou r ware hous e has been 11 da ys.

TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS -

Each year we say thank you to you , MifblIII ' II I! our customers , for the busiest year ever This year really has been a bumper year with 700 ,000 more products leaving our warehouse than last year, a massive 60% increase. The continual increase in demand shows more and more customers appreciating our wide selection of value for money products Our Centenary range was our most successful product launch ever , over 100,000 purchases were made this year, including over 13,000 model ambulances

We are grateful for your continuing support In 1988 we'll be continually looking for new products and new ideas so that our service to you can be improved - your suggestions are always welcome Write to me at the address at the top - we always like to hear from yo u

Brian Rockell

Refilling of Aluminium Cylinders

From March 1987, BOC have introduced a new requirement for all aluminium cylinders which are to be filled by them.

A special th e rm o pla s ti c t es t rin g which m e lts a t 100 °C mu s t b e fitted und e r th e cy lind er va lve t o indicat e if th e cy lind e r h as b ee n heated ab ove thi s t e mp e ratur e a nd that it ha s b eco m e unsafe f o r further u se Th ese t es t rin gs ar e fitted at th e tim e of va lv in g, whi c h must be carri ed out und er sup e rvision of a BOC In s p ecto r.

If pneuPAC cy linder s are ser:-t t o B OC for refi.lli ng without the test ring tag and 1f th ey a r e fi tt ed w 1th a cylinder valve stamped " pneuPAC " or Bqc w Ill make a standard charge for thi s . Th e cy hnd e r s w lll t h en be suitable for subsequent refillin g b y B OC. If pn euP AC cylinders are sent to BOC w ith o ut th e t es t ring and if they are fitt e d wIth a c y l1l1d e r val ve s t a mp ed "pp", BOC will require that v al ve b e b r ou g ht up t o their latest standard b y the on g1l1al v al ve ma n ufac tur e r. Accordingly, these cylinders ha ve t o b e se nt f or up g r a ding, free of charge , to Pressur e Product s Ltd. (see right). Pressure Pr odu c t s L t d w lll u p gra d e the v'alve and then stamp th e val ve w ith an ad d itiona l "p" which makes the val v e acc e ptabl e b y B OC. Pr essure Products Ltd. are not authoris ed t o fit th e t es t r ing a nd , therefore, the above procedure will ha ve t o b e if the filling is to be carried out b y B OC.

Pressure Products Ltd. will r efill th ese cy l1l1d e r s th emselves after upgrading. If fillin g is n o t r equ ired to be carried out by BOC, then ther e ar e a n umb er of .ot h er companies, as listed right, w h o w ill out r efi ll1l1g of cylinders without requ.iring . a t es t nn g . A ll will, in future, be supphed WIth th e t es t nn g and t hts WIll ensure that these cylinders can b e r efill e d at any B OC depot without any problems.

ORGANISATIONS FILLING OXYGEN CYLINDERS

Telephone No.

A r co H o ll ma n N ic h o ll s Limit e d U

K in gsto n Me di ca l Gases Limi te d 12 1 C lare n do n S tr ee

048224298

iLonger length skirts for Nursing Cadets

Cadet

HI-PROFILE STRETCHER AND CARRYING CHAIR

WE'VE TAKEN THE MOST POPULAR FOLDING STRETCHER AND CARRYING CHAIR USED EXTENSIVELY BY ST JOHN AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES, AND MADE THEM HIGHLY VISIBLE, FOR SAFETY, AND BOLDLY MARKED FOR PUBLICITY - THAT'S HI-PROFILE.

H20 3D 090662322

Med iga L im it ed Un

Bll lEX 021 - 771 0113

Pressure P roducts (Manchester) L imited 176 C hur c h R oad U r msto n Ma n cheste r 1311D J 061 - 7484190

ORGANISATIONS CARRYING OUT PRESSURE TESTING/ FITTING OF TAG

JOHN REDIROOF

Rediroof is the exciting new way to provide instant accommodation wherever it's needed public duties, meetings, emergency shelter or storage. There's a leaflet telling you all about Rediroof. Ring Salesline for a copy, if you haven't already received one.

DISPOSABLE GLOVES AND APRONS

ORDE R INVESTITURE

Co

Hugh Bidwell (City of Londo n)

Officer

S i Jo h n Charles Batten , KCVO , FRCP (Londo n)

Joseph William Benson (Staffs)

Frank William Fall (London)

Joan n a Repington , Mrs Lucas (N Yorks)

George Edward McWa t ters (Avon)

Peter Wrig h (S Yorks)

Se r vi n g Brother or S ster

Mabe l Mr Al en (Heref & Worcs)

John Bai ley ( Notts)

Donald Bairstow (S & W Yorks)

Mary El izabeth, M iss Barker (NO llS)

Brian Herbert Bates (Wilts)

Suzanne Ma rgaret , Mrs Benbow (Essex)

Jenifer Celia, Mrs Bidwell (SJ Mu sic Soc)

Frederick Roy Whitworth B ackler (Heref & Worcs)

June Mrs B ood (Leics)

Jo h n Howard Brewer (Somer et)

Wing Commander Harry Broadmeadow (Joint Com· m itlee )

William Lewson Burrowe MD , BCh , BAO , MRCPT (Wilts)

Sta n ey Denis Butler (Derbys)

Caro e , Mrs Callan (Co Durham)

Rosemary, Mr Carson (Northumbria)

Robe r t Clark (North umbria)

Anthony George Oliver Crowther, MA. MB. BChir DOb t, RCOG (S & W York)

John Ernest Cumming , SRN RMN (Gtr M a nche ter )

Daphne , Lady Dalton (N Yorks)

Lt-Cdr Harold Edward James Davies, MBE, RN (Retd) (Hants)

John Sydney Davie s (Surrey)

William Glyndwr Davies (Avon)

Harry Keighley Dickinson (Leics)

Maureen Winifred , Mrs Dymond (Hants)

Dorot hy Margaret Mrs Eames (Berks)

Maureen Elizabeth Mrs Fenton (Herts)

Marian , Mrs Fitch (Somerset)

Jean Va lentine, Mrs Foggett (Northumbria)

Mary EdIth. Mrs Fox SRN, SCM (Humberside)

Kathleen, Mrs Freeman (S & W Yorks)

Jean Margaret Ann Mrs Gardiner (Herts)

Hilda Mary Mrs Garwood (Northants)

William Charle Garwood (Northants)

Doris May Mrs Geddes, MB, ChB (Essex)

Thomas Gibson (London)

Winifred Elizabeth , Mrs Goldsworthy (Devon)

Frank Harry Good (London)

Cecil George Girling (Suffolk)

Laurence Walter Godfrey , MB, BS, FRCS (Bucks)

Frederick William Hall (Nort humbria)

Beryl , Mrs Handley (Nott )

Rachel Mary Mrs Heather (Wilt )

John Valentine Hitch (Notts)

Stuart Jon a t hon Holmes (London)

Roy Ernest Hopwood (W Midlands)

Ken neth Martin Horswell FCIS FBS (Bucks)

Frank Carl Howard BEM (Notts)

Hedwig Ma lwine, Mrs Humber (Wilt)

Dorothy Mabel, M rs Hurs t (Gtr Manchester)

Ernest William Johnson (Avon)

Ellen Edith, Mrs Kirby (Lines)

Susan Marga ret, Mrs Lane (Dorset)

Isabe ll a Anne, Mrs Leeming (Hants)

Derek George Litt leton (Notts)

Vernon Edward Luff MBE (Guernsey)

Anthony Reeve Maddison (North u mbria)

Myrtle Edith M rs Marsden MS, SC h ME, CLA (S & W Yorks)

An n Mrs May (Dorset)

Mi ldred rene Mrs Mear (Leics)

Aub rey Musson (Notts)

A lfred Sydney My am (B ucks)

Sa nd ra Jun e, Mrs Newma n (Londo n)

Grace Mrs Nico (North u mbr ia) Ro a nd Nob e (S & W Yo ks)

Se nefie ld Geoffrey Norto n (Warwicks)

Wendy Margaret , Miss Or a nd (London)

Donald Rober Parker (G os)

Bernard Peter Peacock (London)

L o n e l Edwa r d Pryor (Essex)

(No tts)

Pame la Mary , Mrs Rickett, MBE , JP (Bucks)

Ley la nd Bradshaw Ridings (SJ Music Soc) Eric Ridley (Notts)

Kevi n Mansel Roberts (Kem) Pa ul Roots (Surrey) Ma ry Mrs Sa n d e r on (S & W Yorks)

George Wi ll iam Scott (Leics)

Margaret Annie , Mrs Scott (Le cs)

Joyce Lucy Blanche Mrs Sheppard (Wilts)

Patrick Wi lli am Sheppard (WIlts)

George Ernest Shirlex (London)

William A an Sibley (Norfolk)

D ia nn e, Mrs Smith (Here f & Worcs)

Kenneth Smith (Cleveland)

William Ri ch a rd Stonebridge (Glos)

Thomas Edward Alan Strivens MB , BS DRCOG Norfolk )

Linda Ann, Mrs Tate (Berks)

Peter Edward Tate (Nort hant )

Janet Barbar a, Mrs Teather (Notts)

Elisabeth Mary Thirlow, Mrs Turnbull (Leics)

Keith Lewis Tutthill (Kent)

Raynor Ernest We ton Dorset)

Robert Le sli e Wheatl ey (Notts)

Haze l Annie Mi ss Wh eeldo n, SRN. CMB. ONC (London )

Anne , Mrs White (North umbria)

Roy William s (Essex)

Dorothy Iren e. Mrs Willis (W Midland s)

Wouterina, M Wills ( Northants)

John Michae Wilson (Glos)

Sheila H e len Mrs Winfieldale (Leics)

Albert Charles Wintl e (Avon)

Heat her, Mrs Wiseman (Northants)

Eileen Elsie , Mrs Wood (NOlt )

Sheila Moore. Mrs Woodward (Surrey)

Irene F orence Mr Woolliscroft (Northants)

Cy n hi a Marjorie Mrs Young (Nott )

Joyce Barbara, Mrs Garrick (North um bria)

Asso ci ate Serv in g Brother or Sister Caro ine Mer ula , Mrs Dey s. ME , BS DO (London) Nichola David Ru sse ll (London)

LET'S GRASP IT

from the Director-General

I was delighted to see Tessa Wyatt's comments in the Review of January 1988 on the Three Cross Award Scheme. I am delighned that she is pleased with it as it took a very great deal of work here at Headquarters to develop it. Unfortunately , her idea of 'compulsory' first aid in schools is not likely to be welcomed by the Secretary of State for Education & Science. At the moment he is considering that certain core subjects shall be obligatory in schools but, alas, first aid is not one of them.

The best thing that we in St John Ambulance can do is to encourage more and more schoolteachers to voluntarily seek a St John course and then to introduce the Three Cross Award Scheme into their schools. In some areas in this country, the scheme has attracted a very large number of participants , and some schools have put whole year groups numbering hundreds of children through the scheme. I thoroughly commend it to all those counties who have not yet developed it fully. There is good evidence that as well as imparting emergency skills to children, the Three Cross Award Scheme assists recruitment with cadets , and indeed has encouraged a number of schoolteachers to join the Brigade.

The other important aspect, of course is that the skills of first aid can be taught to children of a range of abilities, and those teachers who have used it successfully as part of a health care project are so pleased with the results that they have decided to make it a permanent part of their school 's curriculum. There is no doubt that this is the way for us to get first aid into schools.

If a school in your area has not yet had the opportunity to enter children for the Three Cross Award please contact Mrs Anne Macleod , our Schools Project Manager here at Headquarters, and she will gladly give every possible help.

Thank you again Tessa Wyatt, for an interesting letter.

Headquarters Rob ert Balchin

GREAT FUN!

from Peter Tate, Divisional Superintendent

I have just attended a divisional training weekend near Birmingham (Nov 20/22) organised by the Cadet and Training Dept of National HQ and felt I should write thanking the organising group (Sharon, Jim, Mike, Ken and Shamus) for their hard work and enthusiasm over the weekend.

I'd also like to give members an idea of the value of such a weekend so that those who want to see a bright future for our organisation in terms of the officers we produce , and the ones we have , are aware of what is available

The weekend, so far as I was concerned was a great success, even though it was not advertised in the leaflet that was distributed. Its theme was leadership and problem-solving skills, which must exist in all who wish to progress in St John or otherwise.

Even though this was one of the early training weekends in the programme being developed, it was very practical , extremely informative and above all great FUN I would recommend any member who has the chance to attend one of these sessions to do so.

But attend with an open mind, not with any preconceived ideas of what to expect. Also do not immediately forget all that is explained to you, as the only way any organisation or business can continue to improve is to use its resources to the full. The one resource that St John Ambulance has that is flexible and capable of meeting any challenge is its members , whether officers, members, cadets or badgers. If we do not use our members to the fullest extent, then there will be no hope for the future of our organisation.

So many thanks to the cadet and training department at National HQ, and long may they continue their good work of developing and exploring all possibilities to improve the potential available in St John.

Northampton P eter Tat e

STAY AND TRY HARDER

from Glynn Reeve, Divisional Superintendent

Well what a way to start 1988 reading Readers' Views! I hope this is not the way we will continue.

It was a sad day But they won ' t get rid of me , as I intend to turn up on drill nights come what may.

Good luck to all the members of the St John Family! Twickenham George W. Johnson 20526 COMMUNITY CARE from Mr J. O. Hunter, Area.Staff Officer

I was very pleased by the content and the timing of Florence Wilson's article Caring in th e Community (Review Nov 87). Her way of putting across the 'history to the here and now ' gives a timely sense of awareness to our members of the increasing need for community care brought about by the emphasis to keep people out of hospitals and more so by the closing of institutions.

As a community nurse , I support what she says and share in her experiences, and agree with her comments about co-operating with the Community Nursing Service. I would add though that we should give strong support to the Community Nursing Services in order to the pressure th.ey are under, for the reasons given in the article, not only. by runDlng c?urses on basic nursing skills but by ourselves carrylllg out the skills we already have in that field. I do not suggest our members do not already do this. Some do , some don ' t.

First to John, do you really feel St John has got an authoritaria: attitude or an elite hierarchical structure or are yo u just looking for an excuse and a way out of the organisation ? Surely someone with your experience , knowledge and rank should be guiding the organisation not knocking it. I feel St John have been very caring by not sending you a letter saying thank god you've gone'. After all , we do have problems which most of us are trying to solve or improve

As a psychiatric nurse, I feel it is time we brought a greater aware.ness to our members the public so as to kill the myths and dispel the fears of mentallllness , by educating them in basic mental nursing skills, particularly relating to the elderly mentally infirm and their careers.

I have started to create an awareness of this in Coventry, and am putting together a training package for members who have expressed an interest in this field as a speciality. I am also available to cover mental illness in a broader sense as part of nursing courses held in the city. The body and the mind belong together.

To Tessa Wyatt , thank you for some really constructive ideas and hopefully you have expressed them within your county and they are being heeded. But please don t feel offended by diggin g remarks. Surely it is better to be noticed and in most cases Coventry

1. O. Hunter, RMN appreciated. I think you would find most of these re marks are from very insecure members of the public

To Ralph Brown , please Ralph no more exams'. I agree they may be wrong but please let us accept them and try to manoeuv n things to our way gradually. With regard to your comments aboU' FAW one year, and basic life support for two, why not do a pubt first aid for the two intermediate years (we do)? This gives your Division the full manual and a joining qualification and I'm sure with a lot of encouragement your members cou ld cope with FA\I papers. Wby not get some old ones from yo ur Association to practis e with?

Finally, thank you HQ Chief Commander for your vis it and encouragement Commissioner-in-Chief and Deputy for being

Stamp Caring Badger and (right) wear uniforms with pride - Tammy Saltern , 7

human and sensible, to John Mills of PR who has told the lb' ( about us - it ' s up to us to tell our cities, towns and villages _ to vy ndge Plymouth ) held a very successful fund-raising Robert Balchin for your good guidance within the Association; if event last September for ulliforms and packs Three of the fact, thanks one and all. You don ' t get it right every time , nor do helped on the one-day Dartmoor Letterbox Walk entitled we, but at least we stay and try. Badgers Around Leeden Tor', in which about 150 people took part The walkers were given clues (for those who don ' t know SaiLsbury Glynn Ref about letterbox walks) to find the six Badger stamps hidden somewhere in a given area of Dartmoor.

I'M REDUNDANT from George W. Johnson, ex-Ambulance Member

As with many other members of my age group , I have had to retire from the Brigade. Since I was 65 years old I have supplied a certificate of fitness from my family doctor, but now at 72 - and still fit - I have got to leave the Brigade After SI years of service that seems a shame especially when we are being continually told that our numbers

The event raised over £100 and two of the Badgers wrote letters ?f thanks to everyone who took part , which were later published ill the fortnightly letterboxers ' newsletter.

For Ivybridge Badgers , formed in May and now with an average attendance of 22 out of the 24 enrolled this was the first m.ajor event. All the Badgers now ' wear their uniforms With pnde.

Ivy bridge Wendy Hirst, Badger Leader

ONE BOOK ONLY PLEASE from George A. King CStJ

agree With Roy Phillips of Leicester (Review Aug 87) and are falling.

a members must shout loud and clear about having to train by

At our recent AGM I was Usmg t:-",o books at their own expense , whIch IS hardly the best way presented with a SJA centenary Phyllis and they won to retaIn members clock and my wife Phyllis received a of me _ George w Members .of St John hav e enough to payout of their pockets b0l:'quet of flowers to mark my to buy two first-aid books when one would suffice. retIrement. I thanked members past and present who t urn ed up rst aid IS first aid in any language and there should not be two for the occasion, and last but by no means lea st I thanked Phylli! books from the same organisation to learn it. for keeping my white hav ersack clean for 50 years. Bury Lanes G , eorge A. Kmg

Merseyside

AIM Alf Smith , of Brombrough and Eastham Divis ion Wirral, receives a bar to his Service Medal from Area Commissioner F. Rooke

LETTERBOX WALK from Wendy Hirst, Badger Leader

(Left)

Badger choir at carol service at St Nicholas Church, Pier Head , Liverpool.

THE TWO MOST northerly of the branches of the Order in ScotLand have been in the news, viz: Highland, based on Inverness, and Aberdeen, based on the city of that name.

Down the years Highland Order and Association committees have worked away quietly with their various fundraising projects to help with the work of the Order locally, centrally and for the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.

A number of members, however, decided that some revitalisation of interest was needed amongst the people of the local community and so a meeting was arranged for October 17. At this meeting were the Provost of Inverness and his wife, along with a number of prominent local businessmen and others. The Chancellor, Chairman of Associations and Priory Secretary represented Priory; Mr

WALES

NEWS from SCOTLAND

Gordon McIntosh, a local businessman and recently appointed Vice-Chairman of Highland Association was in the chair.

The Chancellor addressed the gathering on the history and work of the Order and afterwards answered questions.

After the formal part of the proceedings were over, a sizeable number remained behind for an informal discussion and talk with the three representatives from Priory. At the end everyone was satisfied that the meeting had been well worth while and had given fresh impetus to the Order in the Highland area.

Chief Commissioner for Wales, Dr D. W. Williamson, at the annual All Wales SJA conference.

AN ll-year-old boy who came to his badly burned playmate ' s aid after a horrific paint tin explosion has been honoured by St John Ambulance in Wales.

The flames which set the youngster's trousers on fire were so fierce that one of his plimso1es welded to his foot by the heat. After using first-aid training, taught to him at school Michael Annetts ran quickly for help. And it was that prompt action which prevented his friend Paul Jones from suffering even worse injuries.

Michael and Paul, both of Gwent, had been playing with a couple of friends at a derelict pithead building, when one of the other boys is believed to have started a fire, which ended with im old tin of paint exploding and showering Paul's legs with burning paint.

MiGhael helped douse the flames leaping up his friend s legs before running to a nearby main road for help.

When police officers arrived at the building, Paul was sitting on a wall, in agony, with his plimsole shoe welded to his foot by the heat.

Michael was presented with a St John Ambulance in Wales letter of commendation by the Chairman of Gwent County Council, County Councillor John Turner, at a special reception held in December.

Michael was also re-united with Paul, who needed extensive treatment at the bums unit of St Lawrence Hospital, Chepstow, Gwent.

Gwent CC chairman , John Turner, presents the letter of commendation to Michael Annetts, with his friend Paul Jones, whom Michael helped Both boys receive first aid kits from Dr George Mitchell Director Association, with Keith Dunn, Chief Training Coordinator for Wales (right).

For many years the Order Committee in Aberdeen had been justifiably proud of its nursing home in the west end of the city, where the treatment and care of the sick is spoken of with affection ,'ill over the north-east and beyond. Just over two years ago Chapter authorised the local Order committee to proceed with the work of extending the facilities available to provide for a second theatre suite with most advanced equipment and an additional 20 private rooms to accommodate twice the number of patients.

In the presence of the Prior , Chancellor and representatives of Chapter , the extended premises were opened on November 3 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester , the Grand Prior , who included this pleasant ceremony in a busy schedule in the city of Aberdeen.

OVERSEAS

Many of the first-aiders worked 20 hours without a break

4,000 casualties at Games for SJA Kenya

WHEN ST JOHN Kenya was invited to provide first-aid cover for the Fourth AlIAfrican Games (August 1-12 1987) , no one in SJA Kenya management realised the magnitude of the task. But now that the event is over and our volunteers are recovering from the fatigue of 12 days of intensive duty, we thought we might share a few of the experiences with fellow firstaiders. The games , held over 12 days , covered 15 sports held in nine venues scattered miles apart throughout the city of Nairobi. Games took place from 9am to llpm on most of the days. We also had to cope with covering the new Moi International Sports Complex , for the opening and closing ceremonies , which brought with it unexpected problems.

943 duty shifts

In all 213 SJA volunteers performed 943 duty shifts during the 12 days , some of them travelling over 400 miles at their own expense to offer their services.

Our three ambulances joined a fleet of 17 vehicles that were organised by St John Headquarters to give 24-hour coverage for both the events and the games villages.

Our six full-time ambulance drivers had to work 234 hours of overtime and drove over 6,000 kms during the games, ferrying over 40 patients to hospital.

The ground staff volunteers treated over 4,000 casualties of varying seriousness, and were eventually swamped during the final

day's closing ceremony when 85 ,000 people were jammed into a 60 ,000 capacity stadium , with about 15 ,000 other spectators locked outside. Many of the first-aiders did not get home until after 4am, having done 20 hours of harrowing duty in the field without a break.

That there were not more serious injuries during the riots which broke out outside the stadium and the (hair-raising) surging within it, testifies to the courage and dedi-

cation of first-aiders who accompanied the police into areas of most danger to tend the wounded.

That the St John first-aiders made a considerable impression on the public is shown by the voluble praise received both from spectators at the event and those who saw their performance on television. They were a credit to the Order of St John and to Kenya during this the largest international sporting event held in sub -Saharan Africa.

ST JOHN FELLOWSHIP

I AM HAPPY to announce the formation of the first branch in Northern Ireland. Lagan Branch, Northern Ireland.

Contact Mrs Lilian Smith 12 Rugby Avenue Belfast BTI 1RG

This branch, formed on December 8 1987, was the 19th branch to be formed in Centenary Year -a great record.

Theme for 1988

Now that we have all emerged triumphant if exhausted from Centenary Year , I would like to suggest to Fellowship branches that we should take a look at the objects of our Fellowship and consider which one, if any, needs more emphasis this year. Most

branches have certainly met objects 1 , 2 and 3 in 1987, which are to get together, to arrange branch activities and to support the activities of the Foundations of the Order - but there may not have been much time last year for object 3: to help former members in need, especially the housebound and those in hospital or residential homes who would appreciate visits and outings.

I often hear from branches that Mr X or Mrs Y sadly can no longer manage to come to meetings What about a special event for these members in 1988 , or perhaps several events if the branch covers a large area?

31 Malvern Court

Onslow Square London SW7 3HY Sheila Puckle National Secretary

45

Badgers formed the guard of honour for Mr Ian Grist MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, with the

A centenary booklet of Brigade events in the province, edited by Miss Anne Grant (right) is presented by the Commissioner, Dr Betty Nicholl, and Belfast Commissioner Mr J.

Southend's Cadets and Badgers

(Left) Barry Drewer gets his toy badger from the g rls in exchange for. (Below) St eve Williams , ilc South end Cadets, hands over a £100 cheque to Joe Bird ,

PARENTS , friend and members of the Southend Comb in ed Cadet Division mel at Southend s Civic Centre on November 26. Guests included the Commander St John in Essex the County Deputy County CommIssIoner , Area Commissioner Divisional President and Vice-President.

Formal reports were presented by th e officers of the Division, and then the real fun Two young Badgers b e lp ed the DlVISJOnal Nursmg Officer Valerie Cumm in gs to cut a love ly cake. Deputy County Commiss ioner Joan Logan was asked to enro some new Badgers. You s h o uld have seen her face Continued on next pagl

when 24 youngsters lined up in front of her!

Many prizes were awarded by the various distin gu is h ed gu ests , an d proud parents watched as eac h individual marched to the front of the l arge hall in the Civic Ce nt re to receive them.

During the year , the members of southend Combined Cadet Division had completed a sponsored wa lk in aid of the Centenary Appeal. The ch eque was handed to the Commander, St John in Essex by Divisional Officer Steve Williams. Steve has been running the Division since June, helped by Miss Chris Wallen.

Barry Drewer has made an offer that if uhe B a dgers would let him have a soft toy badger , h e would make a substantial donation to them. At the Civic Centre he was duly presented with a toy badger and imm e diat e ly gave cheques to both local Badger Sets.

Comments were made about the striking resemblance between the soft toy badger and the Commander , Joseph Bird. (Are they really goin g to make badger wear specs?)

The in formal refreshment period gave everyone a chance to meet. Eventually , a lot of proud Mums and Dads took some very happy youngsters home , all looking forward to anot h er hectic year in St John.

Block Buster (10) ANSWERS

A. Abrasion; B Backbone C. Canal ; D. Depressant ; E. Eardrum ; F. Fe ver ; G. Gangrene ; H. Haemophilia ; 1. Impacted ; J Jejunum ; K. Keratin L La byrinth ; M. Mastoid; N. Narcotic ; O Occlusion P Palpitation ; Q. Quickening ; R. Rectum ; S. Scaphoid ; T. Tarsal.

'YOUR CLUB'

St John House Club 50 Eaton Place London SW1 X SAP

Carry on, please

All around us we hear about things that are bad;

About killings and muggings and theft; It s all so depressing , it makes me feel sad

And sometimes it seems that the world has gone mad

And is of all its moral bereft.

by Mrs Elsie Fender, President, for Grays Nursing Division's AGM

Then I come to your Annual Meeting tonight And

And

We all know that a living's made by that which we get

And a life is made by that which we give

By your work in St John an examp le you set

So

Care in the Community by Chief Welfare Officer, Mrs Jeanne Mercel

HOLIDAYS FOR THE DISABLED

personally by the proprietors , who are two chefs and two physiotherapists , the Alison Park Hotel offers high quality accommodation and service, coupled with ease of accessibility and a large amount of physical aids. Th e hotel is the ideal venue fo r holidays fo r the disabled.

Access from the car park is by a gentle sloping ramp to the front porch through double doors to the ba r lounge with TV A wing contains two public toilets and three

There are many places of interest to see in the High Peak district and several different ways to spend a holid ay in the area, including the Pavilion Gardens , the Op era Hous e, Micr ar ium and the Library in Buxton

HIGHFIELD CARAVAN HIRE now has available for hire a s peci ally adapted caravan for disabled p eop le based on a 16 ft Sprit e Major body b y c.r. Caravans of Newmarket.

If this is of interest to any of our readers , they will be pleased to d emo n strate and supply furth er information. For details please contact : Highfield Caravan Hire , Highfields , Potash Road , Bill ericay, Essex CMll1HH. T el: (0277) 622915.

Manchester-based ABTA tour operatQ specia lising in holidays for disabled peopl ha s issued its 1988 brochure which contait some old favourites such as Majorca , Ma ll and Jersey, as well as severa l new deSI n ations.

The brochure is availab le from: Thresn old Travel, PO Box 25, Wythenshawf Manchester M23 9JB. Tel: (061) 905 11 4 (24 hour answeri ng service).

In 1988 JUST PEDALLING is offerin cycle touring holidays to blind or partiall sigh t ed people. At the rear of a tande m people handicapped by lack of vision C3J enjoy the co unt ryside, the so und s am smell of different villages and areas passel through. For further information , pl ea& contact: Just Pedalling , 9 Church Streel Coltishall, Norfolk NR12 7DW Tel (0603) 737201.

This information is taken from fac t sheets and no responsibility can accepted for the standard of th e& holidays

parasites. (7). 15 Quiescent period between bouts of great (4).17. Sufferer from chronic mutilating disease in little perso n ( I

20. Bed lin en for parasites (5). 22. An unexpected obstacle is broken tooth (4). 24. Undergarment which may produce tingl e\ (7). 25. Young dog with a stage in insect metamorphosis. (4). t Suture material from intestines (3). 28. Insertion of endotrach e1 tube to maintain airway. (10). 29. Second-hand. (4). 30. Infta m m atory ophthalmic condition. (6).31. In an attractive and pleasi n ; state of health? (6.4).

Down:

1. Yellowness of skin, mucous membranes , and sclera du e to bil pigments. (8), 2. Try ear for blood vessel. (6). 3. Harmful bI O I producin g unh ealthy flatulence? (3-4). 4. Sense a tiny portion. (51 5. Evid ence of old injury on th e mountain-side. (4).6. Drug tendi n j to produce un consciousness. (8). 7. Abnormal spinal curvaturt causi n g hollow back. (8). 12. Lascivious talk (4). 14. Parasiti whose bite is a mere trifle. (4). 16. Cha nge s uit in Hebridean islana (4). 17. Br eath taken on reaching the limit of one's endurance (4.4). 18 Type of wound inconvenient to cyclists. (8). 19. Rattli O! so und on a uscultati on of bronchitic chest. (4). 21. Hump-bad deformit y of spin e. (8). 23. Dental abscess occurring in the adht sive's factory? (7). 25. Decomposed and fetid by turning dirt up. (6) 26. Set -up for a fomentation. (5).28. In a lazy inattentive mann er (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No .1 (88)

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.2 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across:

3 Obstruction creating a surgi cal emergency. (10). 8. Plexus giving rise to the great sciatic nerve. (6).9. Laxative and bacterial culture medium from seaweed. (4). 10. Technique for drainage of pleural cavity requiring a diver? (10) . 12. Doctor returns shortly for fish . (3). 13. Three times a day as prescribed b efore beginning of year is orderl y. (4) 14. Articles carrying infection from RAP officer with

Across: 1. Ascot; 4. Ventricle; 9 Pyloric stenosis; 10. Ray; 11

Edible ; 12. Beef ; 14. Wind·lass; 18. Odour; 21. Tic; 22 Tumid ; 2 Ex·ant he m ; 25. Li·mb; 27. R eefer; 30. Ad·o; 32. Alive ani kicking ; 33. Ret e ntion ; 34. R ange.

Down: 1. A ·mp·e r e; 2. Collyrium; 3. Ter·se; 4. Vaccinate; 5. Nat al 6. Rent; 7 Caste; 8 Ensiform; 13. Foot; 15. Do·do; 16. Six; 11 Scarf-skin ; 19. Operation ; 20 Stale air; 24. Tongue; 26. Mo·ist; En·nui; 29. R ec ur ; 31. Lean.

Resusci Anne LOOKS DIFFERENT DOESN'T SHE?

Now she has moulded hair, separate face skin and a disposable lower airway_

Disposable lower airway

The lower airway, including tubing, one-way valve and lung, is disposable Simplifies cleanup Improves sanitation.

Separate face skin makes it easier to lift jaw and is more realistic when closing the nostrils and feeling for pulse. Easy to cl@an. Costs less than half the price of older version.

Moulded hair simply snaps-on to head Easy to keep clean and looking neat.

Update kits

We'd like you to see and try these exciting new product changes Update Kits are available for both Resusci Anne and Recording Resusci Anne. Each consists of a new head and five disposable airways

ST JOHN

Better Life Insurance REVI EW Pilcher- Greene.

and Dining p.64

Exhibitions p 65

Fund-raising p.66

Specials p.68

Centenary Appeal and other news p.70

LORD PRIOR RETIRES

HER MAJESTY The Queen, Sovereign Head of the Order of St John, has with regret accepted the resignation, on medical advice, of Major-General The Earl Cathcart as Lord Prior of the Order. Her Majesty has approved as his successor, as Lord Prior of the Order of St John from February 11988, The Lord Grey of Naunton.

MICHAEL PARKER made KStJ

MAJOR MICHAEL PARKER, MBE, has been invested as a Knight of the Order of St John. The Honour was bestowed in recognition of his work in organising the Great St John Party in June last year.

PR MESSAGE OFTHE MONTH

John Mills, Director of Public Relations

THE MARCH PR message continues the theme of 'Ca ring with the aim of making people aware that St John Ambulance is not only involved in first aid but undertakes a variety of work in the community, particularly with the handicapped the elderly , and the terminall y ill.

1. Does St John get involved in the life of the local community? Answer - One of the major activities of St John members including many cadets is concerned with visiting and caring for the elderly and handicapped , taking them out on trips and bringing the outside world into their lives.

2. The St John Ophthalmic Hospital now carries out 5,000 eye operations and cares for over 50,000 patients a year in Jerusalem and the surrounding villages.

Leaflet

THE POPULAR AS-size leaflet Caring for You detailing all aspects of the work of St John Ambulance, has been revised and reprinted and is now available from the PR department at National HQ. A free allocation of leaflets has been sent to each county office and further supplies are available at £5 per 100.

for Around and About to a 5,000 word article - but it hould all ha ve some connection with St John and its work. Photographs should be glossy black and white prints or good quality colour prints , not negative or transparencies. If photographs are to be returned , write on the back RETURN and name and addres . Press day is the 1st of the month preceding the cover date.

Cel1tenary

Thf CENTENARY YEAR - a year that will live in the memory all our lives G V -can best be recalled by the visual reat eal reminders of what happened. In this particular record, we have striven to

r St J h show activities not only from o r London but many counties throughout the country. Photographs of the Great Party are, 1 987 .. of course, included, but we feel it is important to give a sample of the

h numerous other activities that have Sa\N been taking place.

AND THE BADGERS ARE BORN!

The Woodland Badgers of Cornwall showing how capable they are, under the watchful eye of bowler-hatted Marion Chan te r mum of two of the Badgers and 1987 Krypton Factor champion

Badgers Kate and Lucy King (of Bedgrov e)

helping at Shaftesbury House Ayle sbury

Photo Bucks Herald).

A St John Cross and St John s Gate in edible form! Made by sisters Judith and Pat Thomas of Wiltshire

(Photo Wiltsh re & Glos Standard)

Bob Monkhouse was th the beginning to launch Badgers But they soon him tied up and gagged.

(Photo Colin Liziu s).

The Grea1 PAR

Norman Thompson Taunton)

CHURCH

AND FLOWERS

AND PARADES.

BEGINNINGS

WININ AN DININ

(Photo:

Anglian Daily Times).

Newscaster Sandy Gall opened the Cent " p' enary Exhibition at the nory Church , Clerkenwell.

formers of St Gregory's RC

Great Sankey, Cheshire, put the finishing touches to their 18-foot long mural to SJA's centenary. (Photo: Warrington Guardian).

FUND· RAISING

Specials · · and Specials throughout the country

Half-way to target figure

AS THE ST JOHN Ambulance Brigad e Centenary Appeal total adlieved the halfway mark the Duke of Westminst er, president of the appeal, said: We have now raised £5 million and with continued public support I am confident that we can reach our target of £10 million during 1988.'

HRH The Princess Ro ya l recently expressed her support for the appeal and her concern for the future of the St John Ambulance Brigade : ' St John has almost

OUR PRESIDENTS

THERE W AS a meeting at 1

Grosvenor Crescent on Wednesday, January 13, to di scuss how best Presidents and County Commissioners could help the Badgers. This was the second meeting of a series to be held at regular intervals on this subject.

Present from the counties were:

Lady Gisborough , Pres ident Cleveland

Lady Huntington-Whiteley , Pre si dent , H€reford & Worceste r

Mr J. P. McElroy , Dep uty Pr esi dent , Merseyside

Mrs Oliver Worsley , President , North Yorkshire

Lady Forester , Presi dent Shrop shire

Mr T. Curtis , President Surrey

Mrs Robin Cadbury , Pre sident , West Midlands

Lady Hawley , President , Wiltshire

And from Headquarters:

Mrs Harold Phillips , Chief President

Miss Jennie Eaves , Special Proj ects & Badger Lead er

Mr John Sunderland Commissioner-inChief

The meeting was most successful and the previous meeting has already shown good results

run out of mon ey. I think largely because people have tak en it for granted We now need about flO million to get us on an even keel, to look forward to the next hundred years.'

Funding is particularly required for an important new project to enhance training opportunities and improve leadersillp ski lls within the Brigade -a National Training Centre to be the focus of all St John Ambulance Brigade training.

SAVE-A-LIFE CAMPAIGN

AS THE LAST repeat of the Save-a. Life series of programmes finished on February 22, the campaign has drawn to a close. Its co-ordinating committee were of the opinion that the campaign h ad been a success and hop e that the enthusiasm generated would make a lasting mark on public awareness of basic emergency-aid techniques.

The campaign office is no lo nger sending o ut course material but is cur' rently compiling statistics which will be published in the St John Review.

SJA Band Federation

ON JANUARY 10 the SJA Band Federation advisory panel met at National Headquarters to discuss various matters on the Federation

The new chairman of the Band Federation is Laurie Hawes , Headquarters Staff. Vice-Chairman is David Minney.

Area representatives are: North , Peter Butcher Central, Ken Robinson and George Beeby South , Brenda Knight PRO , Dave Rees

Badges

Federation Band badg es are available at £1.50 each, Bandmaster and Assistant

Bandmaster badges at £4 75 each. If yo u require any badges , please contact Ken Robinson , 39 De Ferneus Drive Rauods. Northants NN9 6SU. Telephone: (0933) 624738.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held in Birmingham th il year on Saturday , April 23 , at 11 am at the St John Ambulance Headquarters , 100 Lionel Street, Birmingham B3 IDG. Let's hope many bandmasters and band members will attend this meeting

73 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, Hants. Telephone: (0252) 330916 Dave Reel

St John Fellowship

THERE ARE five new Branches this month bringing the total to 86. I have shown them in date order this time because the first two were formed in 1987, making 21 formations during Centenary Year, and the other three in January 1988. At this rate we should reach 100 during 1988 ...

Stanway Branch, Essex (3)

Contact Mrs E. Smellie, MBE, 4 Endsleigh Court Avenue , Colchester , Essex C03 3QN

Care in the Community

WE ARE NOW moving forward into the secol1ld century of the work of St John Ambulance and today , just as was the case 100 years ago, there is a very real need for our organisation to help in the vital work of Care in the Community.

One of our continuous ways of assisting during the last century was by the loan of nursing aids and equipment for disabled people through our Medical Comfort Dep@ts/Nursing Aid Centres.

Londonderry Area Branch, Northern Ireland (2)

Contact Mr R. R. Harpur , 4 Gleneen Park , Altnagelvin

Londonderry N. I.

North Eastern Area Branch, Hants. (5)

Contact Mrs Sheila Goddard , 301 Pin ewood Park , Cove , Farnborough , Hants GU14 9JT

East Surrey Branch (2)

Contact Mrs E. Wheaton , 16 Meadow Hill, Purle y, Surrey CR2 3HL

North Devon District Branch (3)

I hear that Mrs Anne Ettridge , MBE , founder secretary of the Norwich branch, has resigned bec ause of her moving home fiO the Midlands The branch sends their thanks for h er untiring work on their behalf.

31 Malvern Court, Onslow Square , London SW7 3HY

Centenary Posters

Sheila Puckle National S ecreta ry

To mark the closing of centenary year, the Boston Lines, branch of the Fellowship presented the Borough of Boston (to Mayor Cllr Dick Harlow) with a SJA centenary plaque in appreciation of their kindness to our members (Photo : Lincolnshire Standard)

THE SET of six black and white display posters produced by the Museum & Library of the Order of St John for ce nten ary year are now available at the reduced price of £10.00 (previously they cost £15.00). Although the centenary yea r of the St John Ambulance Brigade is over many Divisions will be celebrating their own centenary in the future and should find these posters very useful. Each poster measures ap proxim ately 50 cm x 80 cm and the subj ects covered are as follows :

1. The Order of St John

2. Early History

3. War Service

4. Transport, Training and Equipment

S. St John Ambulance Overseas

6. 100 Years of Service to Mankind

The posters can be ordered from the Museum & Library , St John s Gate , 5t John's Lane , London EC1M 4DA

Please make your remittance payable to the Order of St John and enclose it with yo ur order.

Headquarters Correction

On page 29 February 1988 St John Review , Cadet Leader of the Year winning cadet leader Amanda Emms from Worcester was unfortunately issued on photogr ap h as Amanda Rees , Eor which we apo lo gise.

SUPPLIES

DURING FEBRUARY, all acco unt hold ers will have received a bumper mailing of our latest catalogues and Supplies News. Included with the mailing were details for your members of an insurance scheme for their car , house , etc, which offers competitive rates and benefits to St John Don t forget also the new scheme with Crown Suppliers , willch will benefit Divisions running ambulances. Full details are in your mailing. While stocks last there 's some special offers on our Centenary Ran ge and your mailing includes a Centenary Sale brochure. Our showroom is open from 9 am- l pm on Saturday March 19. On that day there ll be a sale of ' oddments and some real bargains for callers.

If you order your flag daylhouse-tohouse requirements before April 1 yo u can

UPDATE

save up to 20% on the 1988 prices , so check yo ur stocks early to save. There's also a £3 saving on the St John Video - it s now £9.95 for all purchases before April 1. The latest impression of the First Aid at Work Cou r se Book is now being distributed; it includes all of the changes since the original edition. There was a tremendous demand for centenary souvenirs and th e most avidly so ught after item was the model ambulances. Some of these ha ve already changed hands at many times the original price. To complete a trio of ambulances we've now introduced a horse-drawn ambulance based upon the original as used by St J ohn. Stocks are now available , so order quoting K20068, £3.50 (postage £1.10 on single models , post free to account holders).

ST JOHN REVIEW

70 I fee; that it is most important that as we move towards the year 2000 we make sure that our equipment is really up to date and in sound, clean condition. Not only is this essential in a practical se nse , but it is also a very good way of advertising St John Ambulance at the sa me time as fulfilling a real need in the Service of Mankind.

Contact Mrs H. Packard

31 Ral eigh Park, South Molton, North Devon EX36 4DR

The response to our AGM at the Guildhall, Southampton , on Wednesdal May 4 , is already exciting. Members

Jeanne Mercer , Chief Welfare Officer

b e pleased to hear that Lt-General SU William Pike , former Chief Command er and lat er Ambulance Member has to attend. cont.,

CENTENARY MAGIC?

Yes - and no But it has to come from Northern Ireland. Are these two young ladies, former cadets Mary Robinson and Careline Butler from Ballymena, Co Antrim, suspended in that mood oftranquil relaxation? Or is this just trick photography? (Answer below)

(7). 21. Tropical American bird from Manitoba (3). 22 Lose conscious n ess and successfully comp let e training course (4 3).2 3

Showing no pathological changes (6) 25 List linking personn e and their duty periods. (4). 27. Head for br e ad? (4) 28. Small smooth surface on a bone is a particul ar aspect of the subject. (5) 30 Hammer used to test for neuro logical deficiency. (6 ). 31 Haemorrhage into cavity of the body. (8). 32. Draw back concern e( with contraceptive device (6). 33 Sexually-transmitt e d di sea s! caused by spiroc h aetes (8)

Down:

1. C unnin g cry about a foot. (6).2 Abnormally high blood pH. (9)

3. Soothes by sounds. (5).4. Blowing air or medicinal powd er int o! cavity of the body. (12). 6 Some are shocking fish (4). 7. PoisO J produced by pathogenic organisms from animal in container. (5). Physiotherapy practice by service with people of advanced yea rs (8). 11. Symptom beneficial to comedians. (7.5). 15 Stigma 0 wound. (4). 17. Measure an extremity (4). 19. Frequent site 0 haemorrhoids. (4.5). 20. Theatre telephonist? (8) 24. Marks th, tracing on th e e lectrocar di ograp h (6). 26. Medicine for spasm iJ which muscles are continuously contracted. (5). 28 Soft tissues 0 the body. (5).29. Nothing in usually big desert. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.2 (88)

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.3 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across:

1 Clear after tea for hospital cleric. (8). 5. Section of alimentary tract forming junction with 19 Down. (6). 9. Fix joint by fusion of articulating surfaces. (8). 10 Network of nerves or blood vessels. (6). 12 A lust for bone. (5). 13. Wire to bend a joint. (4). 14. South American Indians in Mallorca. (4). 16. United States fuel mVc tur e has applications. (6). 18. A easde for enzyme of juice.

Across: 3. Int esti n al ; 8. Sacral ; 9. Agar; 10. Underwater ; 11. Coo 13. Tid·y; 14. Fo·mites; 15. Dull; 17. Le·per; 20 Ticks ; 22. Sn ai 24. Singlet; 25. Pup·a; 27. Gut ; 28 Intubation ; 29. Us e d ; 30. 31. Pretty well

Down: 1. Jaundice; 2. Artery; 3. Ill-wind; 4. Taste; 5. Scar; 0 Narcotic; 7. Lordosis; 12. Smut; 14. Flea; 16. Uist; 17. Last 18. Puncture ; 19. R a le ; 21. Kyphosis; 23. Gumboil ; 25. Putrid; 20 Stupe; 28. Idly .

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TJOHN REVIEW

A Clear Case For Life

IN JERUSALEM TODAY

How fares the staff of the Ophthalmic Hospital?

A LETTER dated February 4 1988 from the Lord Prior to the Warden of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital , J erusalem:

At the meeting of Chapter-General yesterday members spontaneously and unanimously asked for a letter to be sent to the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem expressing their sympathy, encouragement and thanks to all members of the staff of the Hospital in these troubled times in Israel.

It is therefore with great pleasure that I signed this letter, knowing full weU the difficulties under which you are aU working and appreciative , as we all are, of the magnificent work done by every single member of the staff on behalf of the Order. Thank you all so much.

From Sir Randal Elliott , Hospitaller of the Priory in New Zealand , acting Warden and Chief Surgeon of the Hospital, replied on February 5 :

Please convey to the Chapter-General the great appreciation of all the staff of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital for the message of support and encouragement. All the staff are showing a dedication and enthusiasm for their work in the face of the great difficultie s confronting them. Getting to the Hospital presents grave difficultie s

for Arab staff; yet there is no absenteeism. Members of the staff are naturally worried about the safety of their families outside the Hospital, and themselves face hazards when travelling to and from work. The surgical team who are providing day care surgery in a crisis area in Gaw are volunteering to

Rafah,

Please accept the congratulations of the staff on your elevation to Lord Prior, and on a personal note I am delighted that you have undertaken this onerous commitment.

Cadet

Whether you are a doctor, nurse , ambulance person or involved in any of the emergency services, saving life is the prerequisite of your occupation.

Tandisdale Medical, who offer the same dedication to life, have extended their established range of emergency Sussex ' resuscitators

The leading British manufacturer and supplier's to the DHSS , Tandisdale are now offer ing Sussex equipment in OxyCases with a clear lid for instant check of contents.

Performance and quality is quaranteed due to the Company's twenty years continuous research and

development and use of their patented , uniquely sens tive double actin g valve.

Th is vital and versatile range includes the 125L DualFlow with preset 2 & 4 flow 125L cylinder and Susse x Basic Resuscitator, plus the 230L MultiFlow with preset flows of 2 , 4, 6 , 8 & 15 from a 230L cylinder and Sussex Un iversal Resuscitator which offers complete control over air/oxygen ratios (suitable for use as an Inhalation Un t)

To get a clearer case for life just contact:

TWO LETTERS

The Earl Cathcart writes:

AFfER NEARLY two years as Vice-Chancellor and two years as Lord Prior I have , with the greatest possible regret and feelings of sorrow, been advised on medical grounds that I must relinquish the great office of Lord Prior and the many responsibilities that go with it. I am very sad indeed to have to retire so soon but during my all too brief time as Lieutenant and Deputy of HRH The Grand Prior I have learnt what wonderful work is done at all levels of the Order both in the field of First Aid and in the Hospital in Jerusalem

, Wales , Northern Ireland , the Islands and the Isle of Man. But st important thing was to see young who are doing good in our society

The Lord Grey of Naunton, the newly appointed Lord Prior, writes: proving that all is not lost in the as some people think.

READERS of the Review will , I know , share in the sadness of us to thank all who helped all that indisposition and medical advice have compelled Lord .the v:Slt and I hope young St John Cathcart to seek the approval of the Sovereign to the relinquish- camets Will stnve to follow on and keep u s ment of his responsibilities as Lord Prior. The Order is much as a great youth Then indebted to both Lord and Lady Cathcart for their energetic their day at the Palace WIll be forthcom1l1g. devotion to its cause over the past four years. It is therefore with both humility and pride that I take over the demands of this high office and send greetings to you all. I have been associated with and a great admirer of the Order of St John •• and its aims and endeavours for many years; nothing has made Association me happier or more appreciative of the work that it does than my

At least I have met and got to know a great many of you With Lady Cathcart I have travelled widely in this country and overseas and we have always been greeted with great kindness and enthusiasm. I wrote in January 1986 that we hope to make many friends and do as much as we can to help you and your work for the Order' I have tried to resolve the challenging problems which we have faced in our charitable endeavoursyou have all certainly given us magnificent support. contacts with the men, women and children in this country and

Now I must say goodbye. My only consolation is that I know that in Lord Grey I have a brilliant and popular successor as Lord Prior and that in his hands the fortunes of the Order will be safe. Good luck to you all and, wherever your activities may take you 'pro fide' and pro utilitate hominum ', may you and they prosper greatly.

overseas who actively support the Order by their efforts in the e

service of the St John Ambulance and St John Ophthalmic Hospital.

THE Director-General is delighted to Our task. a challenging one and, like my predecessor , announce that Mr Mervyn Malcolm has part of my Job wIll be to those who can help us been appointed Deputy Director-General. the problems , and solutIOns t? them , .which face us. III Mervyn Malcolm was County Director in our many chantable actiVIties for the faith the sIck , the suffenng Devon for 14 years before being appointed and the poor. as Assistant Director-General two years We form together an anCIen t Order , devoted to praIseworth y ago. He received the insignia of a Knigh t of work throughout the world. I am determined to support the Grace of the Order from HRH The Grand Order to the best my ability but I shall ne ed your help and I Prior last November. Mervyn is chairman shall seek adVice frequently as I meet thiS great ofPhilmark Ltd a marketing and financial

With !lly Wife I hope to meet as many of as I possibly consultancy, and has been responsible for and to number of our new friends. and acqualllt- the organisation of the first-class marketing ances , hel,P1l1g to serve you and the Order Ln all our work seminars mounted by the International May God s bless1l1gs be upon you all. Management Centre of Buckingham and

which so many County

county staff benefited during 1987.

At Buckingham Palace

Something to tell our Grandchildren

HRH The Princess Royal with Simon Stockill, Cadet Leader of the Year, who wrote the article below, and John Sunderland, Coin-C.

FOR JUST over a hundred cadets Th1:irsday, January 28 1988 will be a day to remember forever.

For these cadets - and I was one of them - were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace by the Commandant-inChief (Ambulance and Nursing Cadets) , HRH The Princess Royal. Although we were not expected at Buckingham Palace until 5 30 pm, by 4.30 most of the guests, along with their parents or officers , had arrived at Brigade HQ in Grosvenor Crescent, London.

It was a time of nervous chats with mum, checking uniform and for some a reunion of friends. This was particularly true of one group - the participants of the previous month s Cadet Leader of the Year Competition. The other cadets were presentative Grand Prior Award holders

74

Rob ert Balchin

Director-General

At a St John Exhibition at the House of Commons , February 15 to 19 the Speaker the Rt Han Bernard Weather ill with John Bamford, vice-chairman , National HQ and London District appeal , and Mrs Cathy Stretton , Director London Distr ict.

chosen by the counties. occasion for all present to feel their work with St John was appreciated and by The Princess Royal too!

Eventually those going to the Palace left their anxious guardians and in groups boarded coaches for the short drive to our big moment.

By now I was feeling quite nervous as I had a slightly different task ahead to the others: HQ had been brave enough to allow me to escort Her Royal Highness and to introduce her to the other cadets.

Before long, 10 groups of nervous but proud cadets were waiting in the elegant music room of Buckingham Palace while the Commissioner-in-Chief and I waited to greet the Princess in the magnificent and awe-inspiring picture gallery.

At 5.45 Her Royal Highness and her

lady-in-waiting the Hon Mrs Leg! Bourke , came into the room and I If

instantly put at my ease by an obvio Thirty pupils of Blackburn's Billinge High School professional! received their One Cross Awards from Dr Chris

The next hour and a quarter passed VI Lu nd, son of Area Commissioner Derick Lund quickly and consisted of many little and curtsies (thankfully , no boy did • curtsy!) , chats and finally soft drinks oc

refreshments.

One of the best things of the visit was t feeling ?f relief of being chuffed' -I

First A I- d

n S c h 00 I s

we say 111 Yorkshire - that moved aroW the room as the cadets began to relax in l knowledge that they had not made t (Illore news on page 96) blunders in front of Royalty.

I will always remember several thi n about the day. The emphasis put on.! cadets and not the officers; the recognl l by our Commandant-in-Chief of the wo of cadets from the length and breadth

Fifty boys of Queen Elizabeth s Grammar School , Blackburn , received t heir One Cross Awards from Area Commissioner Derick Lund, and the schoo l qualified for the special 50+ certificate.

(Right ) The whole of Ventnor Middle School (450 pupils) Isle of Wight , received the ir One Cross Award the first to do so. Here ' s one of the pupils practising.

Simon Sto ckill Cad et Leader HRH The Princess Royal chatting with cadets

Ne\N SJA vehicle for Brands

The SJA Toyota medical car - the red cross is a British Motor Sport regulation on all medical vehicles

AN SJA TOYOTA MEDICAL CAR has been established to complement and enhance the existing medical facilities at Brands Hatch racing circuit, so ensuring thai the highest standard of medical care is available to all competitors and members of the public attending the circuit.

This new service is supplied by SJA's Farningham Division, which already provides the ambulance and first-aid facilities for all meetings at the circuit. Farningham Division, which was formed in 1920, has always been associated with Brands Hatch and currently operates a fleet of four ambulances (three based on the Ford Transit chasis and the other a Range-Rover) equipped with the latest equipment required to carry out its duties at the circuit. For short circuit meetings the Division uses three ambulances which is increased to five (with the help of our colleagues from another local Division) for Grand Prix (longer circuit) meetings.

The car has two radios - one on the SJA frequency and the other working the circuit network

Operation

The vehicle, which will be in attendance at every race meeting at Brands Hatch , has tWO roles to play when in service. The first is to provid e a resuscitation facility, which may differ between car and motorcycle meetings.

Car meetings at Brands Hatch are always attended by rescue units and doctors, sometimes already using a specific vehicle to act as a front-line medical car. Howev er, this is not always the case and the SJA Medical Car will be available to the Chief Medical Officer for the u se of his doctors. Alternatively, the vehicle can act as a back-up to the existing facilities and work from the Medical Centre or Control Tower to transport additional medical supplies and equipment to the scene of an incid ent as necessary

For motorcycle meetings the SJ A Medical Car will act as a front-line vehicle, working from the Control Tower to transport the doctor(s) to the. of incid ent s. If a fallen nder IS senously injured the doctor will have the ability to administer immediate aid prior to the cas ualty being transported to the circuit med ical centre and onward to hospital.

The second role of the vehicle will be to attend casualties in the crowd who require immediate aid. The car will be able to quickly reach the casualty and administer aid as required. Ambulances or other assista nce can then be summoned as necessary. The vehicle will be driven at all times by a number of divisional members. This will ensur e continuity of care and attention required to ensure that the vehicle and its equipment are properly maintained and ready for u se. The vehicle will carry a doctor who will be supplied, as usual, by the organising club.

Equipment

The equipment carried is that required to carry o ut effective resuscitation and also act as a back-up to existing medical facilities.

Effective communications are also important and the medical car will be fitted with a direct radio link to both the circuit Medical Centre and to the Control Tower, wbich will enable the crew to liaise with the Clerk of the Course and other race and rescue officials.

The equipment carried on the vehicle tncludes:

Pn e up ac oxygen ventilator (with capability)

Nltronox unit (entonox - analgesic gas)

Laerdal battery-operated (rechargeable) aspirator

Cardiac defibrillator and monitor

Carecell (Intubation and Infusion) section of the combined carrying case Includ es a ll eq u ipment required to carry. out full intubation , tracheostomy and tnfuslO n Infusion fluids include normal h aemacel/gelofusine and sodium Icarbon ate. A full complement of CPR drugs are also carried.

Oth er equipment includes:

B?x splints

Bmes cervical splint

Burns eq uipm ent and dressings

FIrst-aid bo x

.. . with the hope that NO FEE will need to be levied on the circuit authorities ...

The equipment is carried in individual boxed modules that will be easily identified and accessible.

Finance and sponsorship

The initial equipment used on the vehicle has been purchased with funds kindly donated by various organisations. However, as technology advances there will be a requirement to update and change the equipment and a need for continuing finance to meet these needs. Similarly whils t Toyota (GB) Ltd is covering all servicing and related costs of the vehicle the day-to-day running costs will need to be met. It is hoped that this can be achieved by way of donation or financial sponsorship.

The project has been established with the hope that no fee will need to be levied on the circuit authorities. In this way there will be no cost to competitors. However , this will only be possible if donations and

voluntary contributions are made to the project. It is hoped that competitors from both car and motorcycle spheres of racing, together with their sponsors will make small contributions in appreciation of this new service.

Thanks to

The project co-ordinators would like to acknowledge the generous support of the following organisations:

Toyota (GB) Ltd

Toyota Tercel estate car

British Motorcyle Racing Club (Stewart Chapman Fund)

Laerdal aspirator

Pneupac Ltd

Oxygen ventilator pack

Philips Telecom

Radio equipment (St John Ambulance frequency)

Darent Valley Motor Club

Burns kit and box splints

Kent Racing Combine

Nitronox pack

ICOM (UK) Ltd

Radio equipment (Brands Hatch frequency)

Municipal Mutual Insurance

Vehicle insurance

For further information regarding the SJA Toyota Medica l Car, please contact either of the project co-ordinators:

Graham J Palmer, Divisional Officer, 4 Brookfield , Kemsing Sevenoaks , Kent TN15 6SQ. Tel: Otford (09592) 4456 (H ) Sevenoaks (0732) 457676 (W).

Or: Robert J Wilkinson, R G , Divisional Nursing Officer , 35 Goad Avenue, Lordswood , Cha th am, Kent ME5 8DT. Tel: Medway (0634) 685140 (H) 77

Sir Johl1 FURLE\f

Ashford (Kent) honours a distinguished son

Wolvercote Cemetery, on the Oxford ( Banbury road, the county secretary Oxfordshire was able to tell us. went and in specte d th e grave, and W gather it was spruced up shortly afterwara to honour such a distinguished occupant.

Fund raising commenced, backed bl Rotary (Robert Geering was the dent), the mayoralty and municipality, tlK Chamber of Commerce and others, ando; May 15 1985 the plaque was duly unveil fi by the then mayor, Gordon Fortescue.

Community

Division

Wiltshire was asked by the Chief Commander to run a pilot scheme for a new type of SJA Division. Here's the first report.

FOUR MEN were at dinner in North Street, Ashford, Kent, a few years back and as the port was passed the conversation turned to that distinguished former townsman , Sir John Furley, the founding father of the St John movement.

One of the group, Kenneth Geering, who had helped raise funds for St John Ambulance and was a past president of Ashford Town Division , decided that something should be done to commemorate Sir John in the place of his birth. The sale reference to him locally was Furley Hall , the Division 's HQ. From Pamela Willis, Curator and Historian at St John's Gate, we learned that Sir John was in fact born in Nort h Street in 1836. Could his s pirit ha ve been around at our dinner table?

But Kenneth Geering felt that a mort permanent memorial was needed, so he st to work. Again with mayoral municipi and Rotary backing, he raised funds bo for this project and for St John and British Red Cro s , which Sir John promoted.

The hou se was locat ed and Kenneth was determined that the spot sho uld be commemorated with a plaque. Searches as to Sir John's death and burial revealed that he passed away on September 27 1919, a t the age of 83, at Northmoor Road, St Giles, Oxford, a nd the cause of death was 'old age and degeneration of the h eart'. His grave is number 120 in section 11 of

NURSING

Caring for the Handicapped Chi I d

by Heather Atkinson, SRN, County Nursing Officer, Gloucestershire

THIS ARTICLE aims at helping the reader to understand the needs of the handicapped child. There are many causes of mental and physical handicap which may affect the child and for simplicity the child with cerebral palsy (spastic) will be described.

Cerebal palsy is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain at the time of birth. The brain needs a good blood supply, and if the cells are starved of oxygen, which is carried in the bloodstream, they will die The brain is a very complicated structure and special areas of it relate to sight, speech, hearing movement, memory , bladder and bowel function , and so on. All muscles need nerves in order to move Muscles, as we know, work in opposition to each other so that they can move a joint.

Palsy means paralysis, and in cerebral palsy it is a 'spastic' paralysis. This means

that the muscles tend to tighten up , or go into spasms, causing uncontrollabl e mov ement. Sometimes this can be very severe, particularly in the leg , where spasm causes the legs and knees to bend and the ankles to straighten, so that the child is standing on the ball of its foot.

The condition of cerebral palsy can range very widely in its severity. Less affected children may have only minor difficulties , where the spasms may be affec ting one limb , or one side of the body. There may be some difficulty with speech, but the child may not be mentally handicapped as we know it. Some children are of higher intelligence than normal. Even some severely physically handicapped children , unable to speak, are perfectly normal in intellect, and it must be a terrible frustration for them not to be able to communicate.

A site was acquired in Ashford s nei Park Mall, with the blessing and help developers Town and City Properties Ltd And so on September 15 1987 , a gran il: memorial ston e to Sir John Furley \l'a unveiled in his home town by Ashford MP Mr Keith Speed. And the surplu s fundi al ready over £4 , 000, are to be sha rf( eq u ally between St John and the Rei Cross.

A PILOT SCHEME tried out in Wiltshire to establish a new type of SJA division , which cares for people in their own home s , sta rted in March 1986 and the division was registered the following June. Sarum Community Division, as it's called, is the only one of its kind in the country and is currently caring for 21 patient s in their own homes Under the control of member-in-charg e Mrs Dot Gulliver, the Division operates from Mrs Gulliver's home and the headquart ers of Salisbury Division , whose DIS Glynn Reev e has been a great help in the pilot scheme. A working party is now being set up at National HQ to encourage such divisions throughout the UK.

The photos show the Chief Commander visiting a special Asian mother and baby group in Salisbury and having a cup of tea with Mrs Palm er, one of the elderly folk the Divi sion cares for in her 1. W. Cron in , OS! borne.

NURSING

Many of u s might be nervous abor dealing with h and ic apped children, esper, ally if they are mentally handic apped ! well. This is probably because we do n« und erstand e nough about them. We al hav e the sa m e basic n eeds, in s hort , fed, clothed , kept clean, comfortable a!1i warm, to e mpty our bladder and bowels ,li be in a safe and caring e nvironment , Ii sleep, and to communicate with other. Most of us can cope with our bas, needs on our own or within the situation. With a handicapped child, one else need s to do the things the chi cannot do for itself.

At home

Most of these children, even those pfll foundly handicapped, are looked after! horne Some may be with long-term fosl( parents, or in residential care.

All those of school age are taken special schools for the handicapped , wh e r there is a very high ratio of staff children. There they spend the day ing as well as having their basic care meals , possibly some physiotherapy , O

dental or m edica l assessments. They may be helped to paint a picture, or make music - something they really seem to enjoy. It doesn't take long to learn to play the tambourine They may also learn to communicate using the 'Makaton signing' system. It can be invaluable for a child and its family to learn this.

.The child will need to be fed and helped wrth drinks if severely disabled In cerebral the tongue can be difficult to cope WIth, as on swa llowing it tends to thrust forwards. There is also excess saliva produced , which means that they often dribble lot. Feeding can be a slow process but it is rmportant to persevere - most of these chrl.dren have good appetites and enjoy their meals!

Severely affected children will also be and as in baby care, it is essential to wash and dry the nappy area and apply barrier cream before putting on clean nappy. (If there is a lot of spasm Mthe this can be very difficult.) ostly dIsposables are used bigoer ch'l b fr I dren using inconhn ence pads and pants om the adult range.

l'he pressure areas also need care. The

child ma y wear calipers, or more likely spend most of the day in a wheelchair. This will be a Rolls-Ro yce' of a model, wit h padded supports and safety straps especially made for the child.

It is important that the child feels that they are part of things. The y like to be spoken to , to see what s going on have trips out. It is wrong to put them in the corner where the wheelchair is out of the way. They need to be praised for any progress they mak e, just like a normal child.

Great Strain

It can be a great strain for the p arents of these children, especially as often ther e are other normal children in the family who need their parents' love , time and attention , just as much. In th e Children s Unit where I work we admit these children for ' holiday relief' - perhaps one or two weeks, or a long weekend , so that the rest of the family can go away for a well-earned break

It can be a welcome break for the parents too, if they have an evening out together , without worrying about their

handicapped child. I feel that St John members , especially those with Caring for the Sick , Levelland 2 certificates , would make excellent babysitters for such children. It would be an advantage to get to know the family beforehand, maybe watching the mother prepare the handicapped child for bed. Then under mother's supervision the helper can do it herself, learning how to give medicine or a drink, caring for the mouth and settling the child into bed before being left in sale charge. Other members may prefer to help with outings or camps where able -b odied and physically and mentally handicapped children go together. Last year in Gloucestershire a group of St John cadets and adults took a party of physically and mentally handicapped children for a holiday. It was a great success, with even boy changing the nappies and helping with the care , and a good time was had by all.

It can be very rewarding looking after handicapped children. It builds confidence and is good to know that skills learnt on the lecture courses can be put to such a worthwhile cause.

At the Furley memorial unveiling. (L to R) Mrs Rosemary Le igh Pemberton, Keith Speed MP , Dr Brian Lewis and Ken Geering

PILOT SCHEME'S SUCCESS

The World of St John The World of St John The World of St John

Everything stops for

On Januar y 26, it seems, all Australia stopped to watch the First Fleet reenactment of sailing vessels, which had made the voyage out from England, arrive in Sydney Cove. Bicentennial fever gripped the city and 2.5 million people turned out to watch the ships sail into Sydney Harbour. MilliG:lns mo re in Australia and around the world watched on TV

LOOKING AHEAD

Apr 1-4: Easter Break.

Apr 5=8: Joint SJAfBRCS NJEEC Course, Easingwold.

Apr 15-17: Medical Co n ference, Nottingham. Apr 17: London Marathon.

Apr 22: Essex Centenary Appeal Banquet.

Apr 22: Air Wing Supper. Sr John 's Gate

All road traffic in Sydney was s topped for the day and everyone had to use public transport. Some 2,500 trains transported the bulk of the 2.5 million people. As the ships sailed into harbour 80 planes from the Royal Australian Air Force flew overhead while some nine helicopters , mainly with TV crews aboard, hovered for positions to take the best pictures Some 10 ,000 small craft lined the harbour foreshore. All in glorious weather, of course.

And St John Ambulance, Australia, was out in force for the big day with 120 members on duty at 22 first aid posts , including four at city railway stations.

Members on duty at the Circular Quay railway station, which is near the famous opera house on the harbour banks , had their hands so full with treating injuries that they had to almost continually put out calls for assistance themselves. Our members treated 500 cases during the day, with the ambulance service treating another 500.

was created that day when 2.5 million people turned up to watch an event which included of course a visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Mary -a first - retires

Lady Mary Holborow , who has been SJ A Commissioner for Cornwall since 1982the first woman to hold such an appointment in the UK we believe - retired at th e end of 1987. The new commissioner is Major-Gen Richard Jerram of T reva nson , near Wadebridge.

In

USA

Graham Robin son, SJA air attendant and nursing officer of Worksop Division , escorted a patient to the USA recent ly for Dr Peter J ebson, Professor of Anaesthetics, Iowa University and also Director of the University Hospital's surgical intensive care unit.

Zoe's bravery

Nursing Cadet Zoe Cole, 1\ of S.W. London's Coulsdon and Purley Div ision receiving a letter of commendation from Area Commissioner John Kibble in recognition of her brave attempt to resuscitate her grandfather who had a heart attack. Zoe immediately started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and externa l heart massage while her mother called the doctor Sadly her 72-year-old grandfather died (Photo: Croydon Advertiser)

Graham, who works as senior charge nurse of the intensive care unit at Bas se!law Hospital Notts, was very interested n the two helicopter s operated from the ro o l of the hospital as an air care service. OUJ picture shows him discussing nursing ftigh ll with Air Care nurse Rod Siglin.

Winners

The winners of the SJA Essex Centena Fan draw , which was made by Julius Nea l{ CBE, DL , High Sheriff of Essex , we re 1st prize: No. 04197 M. Ross Collins Sedgwick Centre, London El 8DY. 2nd prize: No. 04165 N. H. Littlebury Saffron Walden Essex. 3rd prize: No. 10593 Paul Bullock , Oak Hall Court , Wan stead Ell 2JP. Thanks to everyone who supported hi! fund-raising event.

A few of the 12 replica fans which were made are for sale (£500 each) and some pri nted fan leaves are also available

each) from Ernest Marshall , Appeal Director , St John Ambulance 32 Great Wheatley Road, Rayleigh , Essex SS6 7AP. Tel: 0268 775156.

Badgers to tea

We hear that in early January, the day before the return to school for local children, a tea party for Jersey Badgers was given by the Commander for Jersey, Mr F. W. Bernard and his wife Meg , at a St Helier hotel.

Mrs Bernard has become patron of the Jersey Badgers.

Myra's new job

Myra Meredith , the very successful (maddeningly so for some) PRO for Avon , ha s been made Area Commissioner from January 1988 , but she will continue as Co unt y PRO. So she's still in the hot seat.

Wish you were here

For many years SJA members of Bournemouth have provided first aid cover at two Beach Huts throughout the summer. Unfortunately they can foresee difficulty in providing the service in 1988 and would be grateful to receive offers of help from members of other areas. Anyone interested in helping should contact Mr Lane on Bournernouth (0202) 512798 to discuss arrangements which would probably include accommodation with a local St John family.

Trains

(Right) Thirty Badgers from the area were invited to British Rail's electrification ceremony at Wareham Station, Dorset, during January when Badger Katharine Harrison 9, of Bournemouth (below), did the honours of switching on the electric current.

In USA

Worksop's divisional nursing officer Graham Robinson in the USA as an SJA air attendant. (See story In USA).

The World of St John

Derbyshire cadets Lindsay Peck, 12 and Sarah Hollingworth, 11, take a brea by the lake at last summer's festival at Alton Manor, the home of Col and Mrs Peter Hilton A picture of Engla nd its best? (Photo: Derby Evening Telegraph).

Medal Replaced

In a burglary at her home Mrs Evelyn Clarke of Merseyside had her Officer of the Order medal stolen On hearing of this , SJA Commander Essex Joseph Bird , acquired a replacement to present to Mrs Clarke, who incidentally is the sister of the late George Beeching whose posthumously awarded Albert Medal (Gold) is on exhibition at the St John Museum. (Photo: David Merritt)

The World of St John

The World 0'1 St John

The World of St John The World of St John

Otley Division, Leeds Area of S.W. Yorks, opened their new HQ in the autumn. The £45,000 fully equipped building, a half paid for by the division, the other half by a local legacy, was officially opened by Lady WestbUry, Supt-in -Chief, and the ceremony conducted by Canon Desmond Kendrick

Crystal Palace Museum

At 84 Anerley Road , Crystal Palace , London SE19 2AH, opening times: Sundays 2-5 pm. This new museum includes information on all the St John Ambulance divisions that had connections with the old 'Palace', including the classes on first aid that were held there in the 1860s, and the many first aid displays

The museum is hou sed in the former Palace Engineering School , two minutes from Crystal Palace bus terminus Exhibits will be added and days of opening extended when funds allow. Admission is free. Mr Block Buster

Vic Helmore, compiler of the Re view's first aid Block Buster series, has retired as Chorley, Lanes , Centre Secretary after 50

Jo Preston (left) and Rachel Glover, two

Sheene (Photo: Peter D. Willson) years Association and Brigade work because of his wife 's ill health.

Vic, who remains a vice-pres id ent, is to continue with his Block Busters and is available for enquiries. We wish Mrs Helmore - and Vic of course - the best of health.

Mum is champion

Marion Chanter, from Lostwithie Cornwall , is reigning champion of thi Krypton Factor and mother of two (see pic page 3 March Review). Over thi last year Marion has become involved wilt her local Woodland Badgers of LOSI' withiel, where her daughter Emily and Toby are both members. As treasurer 01 the Sett she is a regular helper at meetinr. and so on.

Marion and her husband run a pastie bakery. They also prodUct vegetarian and even vegan pasties, fo r which there is an increasing market, anI sell their Cornish goodies as far afield Surrey.

Cadet Kirsty Grimes, of Norfolk's King's Lynn Division, took three trophies (diagnosis, written first aid and cadet of the year) from ASO Mrs Anne Knight at the annual awards presentation. (Photo : Lvnn N ews).

(Right) Coleford Division, Gloucestershire opened its new HQ during February and another new HQ in the county, Tewkesbury, was opened in November - the results of tremendous fundraising efforts over the last 5 years.

A playful challenge from her husband resulted in Marion entering the 1987 Krypton competition. Eight thousand application forms from would -b e competitors were received by the programme , but only 48 were chosen, so reaching the televised rounds is quite an achievement.

Centenary book

One Hundred Photographs for One Hundred Years of Service is the title of a centenary year book produced by SJA Preston Corps. It is available price £2 a copy from the Corps HQ , Edward Street , Preston PR1 2XJ.

Correction

We are told that the ambulance (bottom corner page 6 , January Review) captioned as belonging to Broughton Astley

Division, West Leics, in fact belongs to Maidstone Division , Kent.

In March Review , Church Services and Flowers ', Helen Prior and Nicola Burton are North Derbyshire cadets not Notts. Incidentally we hope readers appreciate that material sent to us is published in good

(Left) Th is simple but effective stained-glass window was dedicated in December in Kettering Par ish Church Northants at a serv ce conducted by the Rev Frank Pearce president of Kettering HQ Divis ion. (Photo: Northants Evening Telegraph).

faith and unless there is an obvious error we do not and cannot check every detail hence these corrections. We do not necessarily make the mistake. But we do have to make the correction.

) And a new

and

JOHN MILLS, Director of Public Relations

PRMESSAGE OF THE MONTH

FOR THE MONTHS April to June inclusive , the theme of our PR message is fund-raising. During these months, the aim is to put across messages that will make the general public more aware of the importance of our activities and particularly those activities which will be an incentive for them to give money to St John.

. - I -have mentioned before that in order for the message to carry more weight it should have a relevance to your own local division and county. Any statistics, therefore , that give the national picture should be supplemented with local information wherever possible

1. The St John Ambulance Brigade provides firstaid cover at events throughout the country; does it get any financial support from central government?

ANSWER: NO! To carry out 4 million hours of duties benefiting the general public , we rely entire ly on voluntary donations to buy equipment and medical supplies from sticking plasters to ambulances

2. Members of St John not only go out to football matches in sunny weather, but also in the middle oj winter - even in rain and snow. How much are they paid for this?

ANSWER: NOTHING! St John members do not get paid for the hours of duty they give to the general public They do this as voluntary unpaid service to the community.

STOP PRESS!

NOW IS THE TIME to make plans for St John Week (June 24 to July 3). Beginning with St John's Day, it is the ideal time to draw attention to St John across the country and to focus on fund-raising activities - particularly house-to-house collections. Next month we shall be giving hints on fundraising, details of a simple fund-raising advert suit-

able for placing in the local press and news of a new leafiet on how to make a legacy. The leaflet gives simple step-by-step guidance on the procedures involved in making a will interspersed with information about the work of St John, illustrating, of course, how worth while it is to leave money to St John!

MBE , making the total for the

ion 63! (Photo : South Kent Newspapers)

Green Baptist Church , Cheltenham.

(Left) Cadet Leader Jan e Keenan, 17, a sixth-form college student of Middlesbrough who wants to study medicine , is the first nursing cadet of Middlesbrough

All smiles from Susan Dymond 15, who has won ALL the top awards of her Ilfracombe Nursing Cadet Division. And now she has been promoted sergeant. Susan, who wants to be a nurse says: 'It's what I enjoy.' Her mother Elizabeth has also caught the nurs ng bug - she joined Ilfracombe adult d vis ion three years ago. (Photo: N. Devon Journa f)

Framlingham (Suffolk) Cadet Div s on s Lisa Cae, Tina Howlett, Kate Banyard Anita Cotton and Trenna Wardley recently received the r Grand Prior Awards from Lady Westbury, Super intendent- n-Chief

movement

1. What muscular action is demonstrated at 'A' and '8'?

3. A casualty suffering from a snake bite should be laid down and advised ?

2. When dealing with a casua lty with a complicated fracture of the ribs, what should be treated immediately?

4. What would you be checking here?

8.

7 Should you kneel on one or both knees to perform the next stage of this routine? And what is the routine?

5. To remove a long boot that will not unfasten, which part of the boot should be sl it with a kn ife?

6 With deep puncture wounds what is the additional high risk?

9. At what time intervals should the result of this test be re co rded? Symptoms and Signs

• General symptoms and signs of fracture.

• Pain at the site of fracture increased by movement.

• Inability to bend the elbow Aim Remove to hospital

11 Which symptom of an arm fracture is missing here?

10 A scalp wound can bleed more profusely than others - why?

Mrs Zena Williams, OBE, President of Aylesbury Nursing Division and a member of the Order Council for Buckinghamshire , as representative for Bucks County Council, is made an Officer of the Order by the newly appointed Lord Prior, Lord Grey of Naunton.

The Rev Leslie Brotherton, Honorary Brigade Chaplain West Midlands, and president, St Anne's Division Park Hill , Moseley, Birmingham , is invested as a Serving Brother.

INVESTITURE

Ernest George Cann, an Association member of St Austell, Cornwall, since 1958, and an instructor since 1974, becomes a Serving Brother Mr Cann was a member of China Clay International's first aid team from 1961 to 1982 , having won national honours

Commander by the Lord London, February

Ronald Hodgson (POAC)

David Allen Wickins (London)

Officer (Brother or Sister)

Richard Quinton Balls (Lancs)

Surgeon Captain (D) Hugh Cannell , RD , R (Royal Navy)

Anthony Hugh Chignell, FRCS (London)

Colin James Court (POAC)

Lieut-Colonel Keith Baker Eddison (Clevelano

Harry Harrison (C leveland)

Raymond Percy Hassell , BA (POAC)

Lieut-Colonel John David (Derbys)

Samuel George Douglas King CEng , MIProd! (Herts)

Richard Guy Lewin-Smith , MA BM , BQ MFOM MRCGP , DIH , DLO (Cambs )

Colonel Geoffrey Charles Morgan , DL (Essex )

John Nixon (British Rail)

Peter William Pitt , ME , BS , LRCP, MR Ci (London Transpor )

Colin Edmond Seager (Met Police)

Michael Alfred Healey Webb , MRCS, LRO MFOM, DIH (POAC)

Zena Alma Pearl , Mrs Williams , OBE (Bucks)

Francis George Wilton (Avon)

Associate Officer

Norman Kelvin Stoller, MBE (Gtr Mancheste

Serving Brother or Sister

Linda Joyce Mrs Allen SRN (Bucks)

Ronald Berry (Lancs)

Patrick Reginald Bilyard (ESAC)

Francis Arthur Blackburn (Mersey ide)

The Reverend Leslie Brotherton (W Midlands)

Ena Mrs Broughton (N Yorks)

Ernest George Cann (Cornwall)

Kenneth Redvers Cannon (Cornwall)

John Malcolm Carr MB, ChB DObst , RCOu (British Rail)

Thomas Howard C h apman (S & W Yorks)

Francis C larkso n (British Rail)

Michael Cia ugh ton (Staffs F & R)

C lifford Frederick James Cook (ESAC)

Judith Elizabeth, Miss Cooper (S uffolk)

Barbara, Mrs Coward (N Yorks)

Horace Bertram Halls (Cambs)

Martin William King (Surrey)

Stanley Victor Korn (British Telecom)

William Rob ert Lawrence (Staffs Police)

Terence John Lowe CEng MIEE , MIMechE (NRPTAC)

Adrian Paul Magor (Met Police)

Dennis Martin, ME , ChB , BChD (G los)

Leonard Co lston Masey (Avon)

Robert David Moxon (London Transport)

Norman Valdemar Nielsen (British Telecom)

William George Perrin (SJA HQ)

Patricia Rosemary , Mrs Piercy (Herts)

Caroline Helen The Countess of Plymouth (Salop)

Ursula Margrit Mrs Pretzlik (SJ Music Soc)

(Left) Lieutenant Michael Raven RN, of the Royal Naval Medical Staff School, Haslar, who is SJA Hampshire's cou nty PRO , with 27 years St John service, becomes a Serving Brother Lt Raven's wife Jul ia is an ASO, and their 9-yearold son Matthew a Badger.

(Right) Mrs Eunice Squire , Secretary of London Transport Corps Eimers End Combined Division who spent much time on London District 's centenary publicity bus, becomes a Serving Sister.

Narayanasami Ramanathan , BSc ME , BS , FRCS , FRSM (POLP)

Lieutenant (MS) Michael Raven (Royal N a vy)

Richard Rigby (Cleveland)

Brian Rowe (Met Police)

Ernest William Shenton (British Rail)

Brian Andrew Smit (Bucks)

Janet Joy , Mrs Smit (Bucks)

Edith Olive Ada Mrs Smith (Derbys)

Eunice Cleal , Mrs Squire (London Transport )

Thomas William Stacey (British Rail )

Hilda May , Mrs Taylor (S & W Yorks)

William Thomas Thorn (CoL Police)

Thomas William Townsend BEM (British Rail )

Linda Rosemary , Mrs Tragen , BSc MSc (Merseyside)

(Bucks)

, Mrs Wrigle y (Cleveland )

(British Rail )

(Sussex)

----ST JOHN FELLOWSHIP----

WELCOME TO our first branch in Zimbabwe and the second in North Yorkshire:

Kuwadzana Branch, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Contact: Mrs A Mahvezha 2558-78t h Close Kuwadzana 4 Harare

Scarborough Branch, North Yorks (2)

Contact: Miss N. Outhet , 150 Falsgrave Road Scarborough, N. Yorks Y012 5BE

The 5th Annual General Meeting to be held at the Guildhall, Southampton, on Wednesday, May 4 1988, at 2 pm by kind permission of the Mayor, Councillor Mrs I. T. White AGENDA

The proceedings will open with prayer said by the Mayor ' s Chaplain The Revere nd J. J. S. Watson.

1. The Chairman , Major-General D S. Gordon , will welcome all present.

2. The Mayor of Southampton, Co un ci llor Mrs I. T. White.

3. Apo logies for absence.

4. Minutes of the 4th AGM held on May 6 1987 to be approved.

5. Matters arisi ng

John Davis , Equipment Officer of the South and West Training Centre (New Forest), Southampton, who joined the Brigade in 1935, and who has been on public duty at many royal and state occasions, becomes a Serving Brother.

John Breese Davies (Dorset)

Owen John Davis (Ha nts)

Leslie Dobson, BSc, DipEd (Co Durham)

John Gray Eaton (Merseyside)

Patricia Ann, Mrs Ellis (London)

Michael Thomas Estabrook (Met Police)

James William Foster (Met Police)

Joyc e Rosina, Mrs Godman (Herts)

Kenneth Stanley Thomas Gough (Met police)

6. Adoption of the annual report for 1987/88 - Proposed by the Chairman ; Seconded by the Vice-Chairman

7. Adoption of the central accounts for 1987 - Proposed by the Treasurer Seconded by the National Secretary

8. The Central Committee

a. Approval of the following appointments for 1988/89: PreSident - The Countess of Brecknock DBE.

Ohairrn a n - Major-General D. S. Gordon CB, CBE , DSO JP , DL.

Vice -Chairman - Mrs P. M J. Rile y. Treasurer - Mr Chares Butler , FCA. ational Secretary - Miss Sheila Puckle , MBE , TD. Branch Representatives

Miss E. Boocock - Leicestershire Branch.

Nlr S. Bunker FCIS - Amersham Branch Bucks. Miss A. L. Gadd - Birmingbam & Sutton Coldfield Br a nch West Midlands.

Mr E. G. Groves - South Cambrid geshire Br a nch.

Miss M. Holley - Sf John Guild , Western Area, Hants

Mi ss L. Rile y - Preston Branch , L a nes

Proposed by Mr H. Cording - London Transport Fellowship; Seconded by Miss B Bird - Birmingham & Sutton Coldfield Branch

b Election of two new Branch repre entative s 9. Any other business.

31 Malv e rn Courl OnslolV Square , London SW17 3HY Nottingham branch members were entertained to tea by the son and daughter of their oldest member, Mr W. L. Ashmore , to celebrate Mr and Mrs Ashmore 's 65th wedding anniversaryhere with their son.

Sh

eila Puck Ie

NOT REDUNDANT

from Leslie Parry-Morris, Fellowship Vice-Chairman

May I through the Review reassure George W. Johnson (February letters) and others in a similar position that life does not en d when you have to retire from the Brigade. There is plenty to occupy themselves with after retirement and retired members can still be an asset to St John.

I implore retired members to join the St John Fellowship and so use their talents to help their fellows. If there is no Fellowship branch in the area, then get in touch with other retired members and form a branch.

In Hampshire Central Area we have two branches (or one branch and a twig), each of which meet once a month. Those who are mobile keep in touch with those who are housebound , or are in hospital or homes for the aged. We have interesting speakers at our meetings and in the summer months we go on outings to various parts of the county. We also assist the Brigade by helping out at gardens opened in aid of St John , at competitions, house-tohOllse and street collections, and many other functions - to relieve younger members who are needed on public duties. You may be able to think of many other ways to help.

Last December, after the Hampshire Centenary Carol Service in Romsey Abbey Fellowship members served tea to the 800 strong congregation. It was very hectic but also very satisfying. We h ave already agreed to serve tea after this year's Carol Service. So, good luck to George and hundreds of others like him! Come and join us to keep the flag flying. Don 't despair. There are many ways in which you can still help St John.

On a personal note , George , I was also a member of a Prince of Wales Division before moving to Hampshire 20 years ago.

Southampton Leslie Parry-Morris

JUST ANOTHER YOUTH ORGANISATION?

from

Mr G. S. Whiteman, Divisional Superintendent

Mid-January I received my Brigade Orders for November 1987! So I duly sat down and began my amendments to Brigade Regs. Not until I amended BGR 94(C)(a) FROM CADETS BEING REQUIRED TO PASS AN ANNUAL RE-EXAMINATION IN FIRST AIDINURSING TO AN ANNUAL RE-EXAM IN BASIC LIFE SUPPORT did I realise its implications.

What are we doing to our organisation? An organisation cadets are proud to belong to is slowly but surely being dismantled to become just another youth organisation. Cadets were formed to train in first aid and nursing and other subjects conducive to the education of good citizens - very good objects. Why the change?

The uniform represents first aid and nursing , and the public sees that first on seeing the uniform.

The Brigade , without doubt , needed a shake-up (to drag u s into this century as I've heard it said). Some of the changes already made were long overdue - some still are. (You will never know how broad the smiles on the ambulance cadets' faces were when they heard handbags were out!) Another change, the Action Pack is a great concept - in parts. A package giving prospective cadets a basic insight into safety, first aid/nursing, the Order and Brigade , etc, was very well accepted by all involved - officers, member s and prospective members - BUT then to add the ruling that a first aid/nursing certificate is not required throughout the member 's cadet life unless they go in for Grand Prior 's/Sovereign's award is unbelievable. To sacrifice our aims and objectives for the sake of some possible recruitment. Come on , National HQ, think again.

I have, along with my officers , the privilege of running a cadet division of 50 plus, one of the largest in Leicestershire , and have had that honour for 12 years. We run a friendly and lively division with many activities, not just first aid/nursing, but include the Grand Prior 's scheme, Duke of Edinburgh 's award, outdoor pursuits, etc, and on average attract three prospective members a month. As a Brigade instructor I am fully aware of the importance of providing our prime objective. Unfortunately , some of our peers think differently.

I love my work with St John (ask my wife, she very little of me because of it!) and, no doubt, as many more have said, will continue to be fully involved in every way even though I disagree with some of the ideas imposed on us.

I use the word imposed as that is how a lot of officers and

Letters Letters Letters

thank Mr Whiteman for his comments and I hope that my rep ly answers all the points that he makes.

ARTHUR WESTON OBE from Dr Frank Preston

Reference the article (February Review) on the Civil Aviation Centre and the very well deserved award of the OBE to Arthur Weston; for the record Arthur's interest in civil aviation started well before 1964. Together with Lt-Col Bob Payne, who was then Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the training officer for District, the three of us ra!1 c,:)Urses f?r Editor although published are not necessarily endorsed by the then St John Au Attendants at the old London Dlstnct HQ 111 , Weymouth Street from 1954 onwards. the Editor or the Order. of St J?hn and Its fo undatlon. We used to take the whole course down to the BEA Training Although. readers may sign letters With a pen Centre at Heston and put them down the escape slides and carry name , writers must supply their name and address to the out other survival drills. We worried sometimes about some of the Editor. more e ld erly members , who were in their seventies, but I am happ y to say that we didn ' t bend anybody!

Arthur's enthusiasm continued unabated and he was as your article says instrumental in setting up the Civil Aviation Centre at Feltham and as Medical Director to BA I was very grateful for the training he gave to many of our staff. Incidentally, the chairman of the Centre was Dr Ian Dawson, who was one of the medical

members feel about some new rules we receive. I have talked and obtained their views before writing this letter. This seems to be the trend of the '80s. Perhaps in the '90s HQ might put together I programme of consultation and ideas from the 'grass roots' of QUI organisation, because, let's face it, those men and women keep officers at BA.

divisions. Don't take them for granted, PLEASE.

LOMAS AMBULANCES

from Graham G. Hibbert, General Manager

As someone who served his apprenticeship with Herbert Lomas Ltd, which sad ly went into voluntary liquidation in 1983 , I feel (albeit somewhat belatedly) the story of this company should go on record as the end of an era. Herbert Lomas , known in the trade as Lomas Ambulances' , manufactured ambulances for over 60 years and their name was synonymo us with amb ulance s. On one occasion I understand they fielded a football team, which included three of the Lomas family, against a local SJAB team in Ross-on- Wye to help the Association raise money to purchase an ambulance. To list all the past and present SJAB divisions which owned Lomas ambulances would take up too much space and no doubt cause offence to those not given an honourable mention.

At one stage in the firm's history there were no less than seven members of the family representing second, third and fourth generations, actively engaged in the business. One of the third generation, Herbert Lomas, who passed away in August 1987 was a Serving Brother of the Order.

St John Ambulance alive and kicking , both in the adult and On a personal note , I was awarded the OBE in the same Honours List as Arthur. Unfortunate ly, we will not be at the G. S. Whitema! Palace on the same day , otherwise we would have had a party!

Loughborough

Mr J. J. Bond, Director, Cadet and Training Dept at National Headquarters, replies:

I am very pleased to hear of Mr Whiteman s success in running hi! division in Leicestershire. Clearly what he is offering his division

Chalfont St Peter Frank Preston FAW from Alan Walton, Divisional Superintendent very interesting for such a large number to attend on a regular basis. I appreciate also how much hard work he must b e having to put in with his colleagues to keep the interest going

In responding to his comments I must say that the Action Pack , and the resultant rules connected with it were indeed discussed bl a large number of member of the organisation. Firstly the Actior Pack was conceived by cadets adult members and their officers during a weekend conference. Secondly , the scheme wa put to consultation as widely as possible. Finally , every county had the opportunity of receiving briefings either at regional or county level according to their preference.

I must, however , correct Mr Whiteman ' s assumption that we have made a ruling concerning the First Aid and Nursing Certificate never being required during a cadet s life. In fact we have never said this. What we have said is that cadets should be encouraged to take these certificates during their cadet service , bu' that we do not lay down a specific minimum period of time. This i) in order to allow divisions the flexibility of offering full courses to these young people , when it is appropriate for the youngsters themselves and convenient for the division to cope with. Sadly , as we are all well aware it is not easy to get qualified instructors and sometimes it becomes impossible for the present requirements to be maintained.

At no stage whatsoever h ave we considered sacrificing any of our aims and objectives , and indeed all of the work that we are currently undertaking is intended to support those aims and objectives in their widest sense. Brigade Regulations clearly lay down that we are indeed a national youth organisation and in this context we have specific interest in first aid and nursing. I am sure however , that everyone will agree that first aid and nursing on its own cannot necessarily be interesting for all of us , all of the time Young people need challenge and excitement and need the opportunity to experience a much broader range of activities to assist them in their development. By offering the Proficiency Subject scheme, adventure activities and much more besides, we will have an opportunity of providing these yo un g people wit h skills which will help them to improve their use to the community as first-aiders and carers for the sick. Mr Whiteman does indeed show his commitment to such youth work, when he refers to the large numbers of young people that he puts through the Grand Prior scheme, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, outdoor pursuits and the like.

Many readers of the Review will be aware by now of a number of other changes which are planned. These changes are presently being put to counties for their views, and I very much hope that al readers will have the opportunity to contribute towards them. 1

Our Division noted with interest the views of Mr Ralph Brown (January Review) which came at a most opportune time, as we are about to embark on our FAW re-examination My members agreed wholeheartedly with the points made by Mr Brown, but also expressed a greater anxiety We are told that attendance at all FA W sessions is essential, which could raise all manner of problems. St John is a voluntary organisation and while everyone appreciates the need for high standards of training , members do have families and work commitments. And members do become ill, just as well as other members of the community. It appears that should a member doing the FA W course beome ill , or one of his family is ill , or he has to work late , then that member cannot take the FAW examination. Members are conscientious about attending weekly training sessions , but occasions do arise when absence is necessary and I can quite easily see my Division s membership being cut by 50% at the end of the FAW course.

. J?e views of our members are that we should return to a system similar to that existing before FAW became compulsory for St John members (the majority of whom do not need the qualification for work), or some kind of continual assessment throughout the year. year.

I and memb ers of our Division reiterate Mr Brown's view - that National HQ needs to listen to members.

Oxford

from Mr F. L. Winter, Divisional Superintendent

Alan Walton

In reply to Ralph Brown (January Review) I fully support him regarding the cancer of FA W which has been forced upon the memb ers hip The general view of most members is that this exam IS down grading them. It has been the downfall of one division because members found difficulty in the written work. They were exce llent first-aiders who I would take anywhere. Some of these morphia keys underground and were able to the drug to injured men at their work place.

Bntlsh Coal does not recognise the FA W farce. Their officials take th e one-day refresher course every 3 years. Why should members who have been made redundant be forced to take this COurse, or as our deputy commissioner states: 'You have to take it or be Inefficient.

In Conc!usion, let's remove this cancer and bring back the sani ty eanng and trained first-aiders, all volunteers, who have kept lS movement alive for 100 years - and not be a gaggle of pressed men.

Shirebrook Colliery Division F. L. Winter

After the demise of Herbert Lomas Ltd (established 1862) a fourth generation member of the Lomas family started Herbert Lomas (Ambulances) Ltd in late 1983. Many ambulance users familiar with the name Lomas Ambulances were not aware of the slight change in company name. Unfortunately, in spite of all the efforts of Herbert Lomas (Ambulances) Ltd to remain in business , they were obliged to cease trading in December 1987.

But I am pLeased to be able to say that the name of Lomas and ambulances will continue to be linked, since Mr H. G. Lomas has accepted a position with my company as Manager European & Middle East Sales.

M.M.B. International, Macclesfield

AMBULANCE RALLY from Miss V. Wilding

Graham G. Hibbert

The photograph (p.ll January R eview) at the Ambulance Rall y at Windsor Safari Park describes Mrs Joan Harney as 't he only female attendant at the rally we understand .' I was one of the two female attendants from Mid-Berkshire at the 'rally and I am sure there were many others too. Many Berkshire divisions have been displaying vehicles at the rally since it started 4 years ago and female attendants, and drivers , are a common sight on public duties in Berkshire.

Woking Valeria Wilding

WHO KEEPS SJA ON THE ROAD? from Mr E. G, Andrews, Divisional Superintendent

As with most enthusiastic Brigade members, I look forward to the R eview each month. It was therefore with surprise, astonishment and disbelief that I read the item on the first page of the December 1987 issue headed SJA's Mobility. (I commenced my service in 1943 as a cadet in Edmonton (N. London) and am now the superintendent of a division in Cambridgeshire and over the years have purchased four ambulances and two first aid units so I feel qualified to comment on this SUbject.)

I conducted my own poll among non-Brigade friends and without exception everyone who read the article was of the opinion that divisions were supplied with ambulances or given funds to purchase them! I consider this an insult to officers and members of divisions who have begged and wheedled monies from charitable sources to purchase ambulances for their own use.

In my experience the main items that seem to come out of National Headquarters are amendments to regulations impractical and generally disliked 'new' uniforms, (borne out by the recent addition of buttons to the 'new' tunic), First Aid manuals which after five attempts still have illustrations contradicting the text, and as for the FA W the least said the better.

I need hardly add that should a nice fat cheque arrive later this year with the compliments of National Headquarters for the continued overleaf

purchase of our first NEW ambulance, my abject apologies will know no bounds. and I promise to crawl to London on my hands and an? kIss the stone of the Gate However, being a peSSlITlist thmk that my pa ds will be used only for my usual local beggIng for funds to mamtam our two eight-year-old vehicles.

I have no delusions about seeing this letter in print , for fairly obvious reasons, but I do strongly feel that some sort of retraction should be published , with particular reference to the las t paragraph in the article 'money desperately needed to keep

St John on the road ' .

St Neots, Cambs E. G. Andrews

ve ntures which will benefit the Brigade throughout the whole country.

It should be remembered that National Headquarters also arranged and co-ordinated the collection faci lities throughout the country at branches of C & A, Tesco and Dewhurst and made arrangements with Marks and Spencer and Goldsmiths who , themselves, decided where withm the country donations should go.

Perhaps we should remember that all money raised , whether it be for the National Headquarters appeal or specifica ll y for Counties in the end is to benefit u s all.

John Mills , Director of Public Relations at National HQ, the department which supplied the article SJA's Mobility, writes: OUT OF BREATH? was certainly not in any way the intention of the leading article III the December 1987 St John Review to suggest that all fundraising for the provision of ambulances and mobile units etc, was carried out only by National Headquarters and that counties were not involved in this. It is well understood that the major fundraising activities of counties and divisions are towards the maintenance , provision and replacement of their vehicles.

Five million of the total £10 million for the Centenary Appeal is , of course , that represented by the money being raised within counties and a great deal of this amount is needed for vehicles. Some the money raised within the National Headquarters allocatIOn of the Centenary Appeal will go towards the provision of a national training centre for all Brigade members to develop training programmes , funding for the Badgers and many other

from Mr M. McCroskie, Divisional Secretary

I have noticed a lot of our m embers are very unh ea lth y , which in my view gives a very bad impression to the public.

I tired of seeing members puffing and panting and gasping for a aft.er they have done a short run , say the length of a football p1tch. It 1S even worse when I see them needing a rest after carrying a stretch er a few hundred yards.

I suggest that each and every division hold at least two or three nights a month , or even a co upl e of hours , physical exercise. I am sure the result would be very ben eficial for the members and even more so for the impr ession created for the general public.

Northumberland

NEWS from SCOTLAND

THE FIRST of the Annual General Meetings for 1988 was the Fife Branch of the Priory of Scotland held at the Crown Hetel, Thornton under the chairmanship of Mr Roy Stark, CStJ, the Fife Association Chairman. Though the night was bitterly cold and roads quite treacherous there was an encouraging attendance of members who came from all over the Ancient Kingdom of Fife

The guest speaker Dr Paul Mackenzie , CStJ, spoke of the history and work of the Ski Rescue Service in Glenshee of which he is director. He illustrated his interesting account of the Rescue Service with slides, some of which depicted the position in the very early days of the development of the ski complex and facility. Guests and visitors included the Chancellor of Scotland, Dr Duncan Shaw , the Chairman of Council of St John Associations, Mr William Gordon , the Priory Secretary , Mr Bill Smith, and the Deputy Priory Secretary, Miss Agness Dougall.

The Chancellor conducted opening and closing devotions and gave a short address thanking the membership for all that they were doing to further St John in Fife. The Chairman of the Council of Associations outlined the various fund-raising and other projects currently under way in many of the branches in Scotland, all of which he said were going well. The conveners of the four sub-committees in Fife submitted reports on the activities, as did the Arts Committee convener and the representative from Fife on the Musical Society Committee for Scotland.

At the conclusion of the formal proceedings, supper was served which gave an opportunity for members to mingle, to chat with old friends and to make some new

ones. A number of people took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Bill Gordon on his recent promotion to the rank of Knight of Justice.

Musical Society

THE MUSICAL Society of Scotland held its fourth annual concert in aid of the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem on February 16 in the Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow. The Society had the good fortune to enlist the services free of charge of the students and recent graduates of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, many of whom have be en prize winners and will undoubtedl y become well known in their chosen profession.

Present were the Prior, the Hospitaller, other representatives of Chapter and members from several branches. For lovers of opera the evening's entertainment could not have been bettered, for there was something in the programme for every taste

The first half was devoted to a performance of Purcell 's Dido and Aeneas, based on Virgil's Aeneid, under the direction of Mr Philip Ledger, the Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy. The second half consisted of extracts from four operas: from Act 1 of the Magic Flute by Mozart, from Act 1 of Pelleas and Melisande by Debussy, from A Midsummer Night's Dream by Britten, and from Act III of Carmen by Bizet. Soloists and chorus alike acquitted themselves well and the accompaniment by orchestra in the first half and by piano in the second was always sympathetic and sensitive making the occasion memorable and very enjoyable.

WALES

Bill Gordon at his recent i nvestitu re as a Knight of Justice at St James's Palace

M. McCroskie

(Below) Frank Bowles , chairman of Radyr Community Council, South Glam, presented the Cadet of the Year cup jointly to Corporals Steven Price and Jane Coles, watched by Doug Hartley Commissioner, and Derek Brown DIO Radyr Cadet Division.

A surprise for 12-year-old Paula Curtis of Lliswerry Comprehensive School, Newport, Gwent, when she wa s presented with her One Cross Award certificate and badge For Paula learned she wa s the 5,000th pupil to become first-aid trained in a school since the Priory for Wales launched their Project for Schools in September 1985. As well as her certificate presented by Dr George Mitchell, D rector of Association for Wales, Paula also received a special letter from Lord Aberdare, the Prior for Wales , and a first aid kit. In addition to Paula, another 135 pupils received their One , Two and Three Cross Award certificates and badges at a special presentation ceremony held at the school.

(photo: South Wales Argus)

As a result the Hospital has benefiteo and our thanks are due to all who coo tributed to the success of this event.

Do you know your Manuals? (16) ANSWERS

1. A' contraction, B relaxation.

2. Any 'sucki ng wound.

3 Not to move

4. Breastbone for firmness and irregularity.

5. The back seam

6 Infection being carried into the wound.

7. One knee. Holger Nielson s method of artificial ventilation.

8. Wooden box or rubb er mat.

9. Ten minute s to. Because of th e rich blood supply to the sca lp and tension of the skin.

11. Ca sualty unable to use injured arm.

12 When th e strain is of recent origin

NORTHERN IRELAND

Happy 105th birthday!

Mrs Mary Austin MBE , President of Londonderry/Os borne/Waterside Nursing Divis ion, was 105 years old (yes, that's not a misprint) last August so this group went along to say 'Hap py Birthday and present her with a set of centenary stamps. Mrs Austin is a Serving Sister of the Order (L to R back) Dr D Whyte Area President ; Mr P. Mullaney Post Office PRO Mr T. A. Smallwoods Area Commissioner. (Front) Mr Mullaney's secretary ; and Mrs McDonald, nursing officer at Rush Hall Nursing Home, where Mrs Austin lives

FIFTY-FOUR PUPILS a t Warren Mead Middle School, Banstead, Surrey received first aid awards and the entire fo urth year gai ned th e 'Three Cros s Award The Special 50+ Certifi cate was presented to the sc ho ol to mark th e occasion.

Fourteen pupils have written to thank th e members of St John A mbul ance wh o helped to organise the course. Here are some of their comments:

'I found it most enjoyab le and at the same tim e I learnt a lot too Karen Cunningham.

'I enjoyed it very much and I know it may help someone in an e mergency Clare Champion.

'I enjoyed all of th e lessons an d shall put them to good use . My certificate is going to be framed and put on my bedroom wall .' Gaynor Thompson.

'I feel that I have learnt a lot the se past few weeks and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Gavin Frost.

'I enjoyed the course very much and it still taught me some things even though I had already passed a te st at Guides Susan Hall

'Thank you very much for coming to our school to present our certificates to us. It made me feel very proud to have one of those certificates Clare Pritch ard.

' I have le arnt a ot from this course and hope th at my knowledge of first aid will help people in the future ... Katherine Child.

The photogr aph (right) shows Mr Bryan , St John Ambulance Schools Project Officer for Surrey surrounded by pupils from Warren Mead Middle School. Also present Mrs J. Lang , Mrs J Sullivan an d Mr Johnston all of whom assisted with th e course .

First Aid in Schools

Schools nominated for the new certificate: Lincolnshire

Cornwall Bude Junior School , Broad Close , Bude

Pool School, Redruth

Devon

Coombes Head School , Coombes Head Road, Newton Abbot.

Isle of Wight Upper Chine School Shanklin.

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.4 (88) by W A Potter

Across:

1. Fractured base in food preparer is record of the doctor's work. (4-4).5. Feeling that it may be a matter of upbringing (6). 10. Pays out for post-mortem examination. (7). 11. Nationality confusing leg with shin. (7). 12. Assumed an attitude of body for effect. (5) 13.

South View Comprehensive Schoo l, Lincoln.

Oxfordshire

Oxford School, Granvill Road , Oxford

West Yorkshire

St John Fisher High School , Oxford Road, Dewsbury

Surrey

Merland Rise Middle School , Epsom.

ADVERTISEMENTS

23p a word (min. £4.60),. semi display £23 single column inch (min. £11.50) il/cl. VAT. Send to S( John Review, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Rutley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IPJ2 3QF.

NEW CATALOGUE of audio -visua l aids for First Aid (23 colo ur slid e sets) , Home Safely a nd Road Safely FREE from F. C. CURT IS

Note for degree of muscle tension. (4). 14. Use the sense of (4). 15. Drug constricting the pupil. (6). 18. Enzyme of pancreatic juice. (7). 21. Large cavity of the body (7). 23. TIi bowler s episode of a disease. (6). 25. Wise man from turbulen l ages. (4). 27. Dental drill for rough, sticky covering of fruit. (4). 2! Just a tiny portion is sense. (5). 30. Where occlusion is taking. (7). 31. Decayed tooth or bone. (7). 32. Retain or light-sensitive part of the eye. (6). 33. Naively-credulous - beca UY. vision is blurred by moisture? (4-4).

Down:

1. From little credit a pharmacist produces painful mu scle contra,· tions. (6).2. Appetite assuaged as if diets specifica lly arranged. (m 3. Two-footed animaL. (5) 4. Glands of stomach producing chloric acid from tiny cox. (7). 6 . Simple aquatic plant disrup ti o gala. (4).7. Group of bones and feature of scapula and tibia. (5 )J Greek with unprotect ed heeL. (8) 9. Rupture. (6). 15. sac containing fluid in fancy structure. (4). 17. Grave to doctor. (4) 19. An accomplice for the eleventh cranial nerve. (9).20. Chewin! muscle from animal in measuring device. (8). 22. Arches ing and protecting the spinal cord. (6). 23. Part of ear and hea n (7). 24. Muscle having a high degree of 13 Across. (6). 26. Hart work for implant. (5). 28. Slow in making progress. (5).29. Menl! structure. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No 3 (88)

Across: 1. Cha·plain; 5. Rectum; 9. Ankylose; 10 Plexus ; Jl Talus; 13. Flex; 14. Inca; 16. Us·eful; 18. Lactase; 21. Ani; 1! Pass-out; 23. Normal; 25. Rota; 27. Loaf; 28. Facet; 30. Tendo n 31. Internal; 32. Re·coil; 33. Syphilis.

Down: 1. Cr·aft·y; 2. Alkalosis; 3. Lulls; 4. Insufflation; 6. Eels

Tox·in; 8. Mass·aged; 11. Feeling funny; 15. Scar; 17. Foot; J Anal canal; 20. Operator; 24. Stylus; 26. Tonic; 28. F esh ; 2j· G·o·bi.

AMBULANCES

by HANLON

TJOHN REVIEW

A Clear Case For Life

PR Message of the MONTH

Whether you are a doctor, nurse, ?r involved in any of the emergency serVices, saving IIfe IS the prerequisite of your occupation.

Tandisdale Medical , who offer the same dedication life, have extended their established range of emergency 'Sussex resuscitators

The leading British manufacturer and suppliers to tine DHSS, Tandisdale are now offering Sussex equipment in OxyCases with a clear lid for instant check of contents

Performance and quality is guaranteed due to the Company's twenty years' continuous research and

development and use of their patented, uniquely sensitive double acting valve

This vital and versatile range includes the 125L DualFlow with preset 2 & 4 flow 125L cylinder and Sussex Basic Resuscitator, plus the 230L MultiFlow with preset flows of 2, 4 , 6, 8 & 15 from a 230L cylinder and Sussex Universal Resuscitator which offers complete control ove r air/oxygen rat os (suitable for use as an Inhalation Unit)

To get a clearer case for life just contact:

ST JOHN REVIEW

of Westminster, president Lond on District and national HOJ Lon don centenary appeal , with Amanda Emm s (runner-up) and the na tional Cadet Leader of the Year, Simon Stockill.

(Left ) Sir John Harvey-Jo nes, former chairman of ICI, who spoke at the conference.

Commissioner-inChief, John Sunderland, with the Rev Rog er Royle

SJAAnnual Here it is! Conference CHANGES (and

why) in new

Manual

'GATHERING MOMENTUM' IS THE THEME

THE 1988 BRIGADE Annual Conference was held in Bath during the first weekend of March. On the Friday evening a civic reception , held in the elegant surroundings of Bath's Pump Room , was hosted by the city's Deput y Mayor and Mayoress, followed by a guided tour of the Rom an remains.

Opening the conference on Saturday mornin g, the Commissioner-in-Chief, John Sunderland, spoke of the tr emendous upsurge of enthusiasm within St John Ambulance and how it is vita l that we continue to gather momentum into our second century. The Brigade 's great strength lies in its thousands of volunteer member s, but h e also stressed the importance of constantly examin in g the Brigade s role.

Also looking to the future, the Duke of Westminster, in a speech entitled 'Towards the 90s and beyond ', spoke of the need to preserve the be st of the past while looking forward with an open mind He emphasised the role of Presidents , Councils and the need to see change as a challenge Next to speak was Cadet Leader of the Year Simon Stockill , who thanked the Duke for his interest in g talk and issued a challenge to adult members to trust SJ A 's young leaders to carry St John forward into the next century.

The Marketing Director, Kathleen Duncan, spoke of marketing lTIltlatlves currently being undertaken at National Headquarters and future plans. John Mills , Director of Public Relations, emp ha sised the importance of generating publicity , particularly stressing the role of the County PRO.

Sir John Harvey-Jones, former chairman of ICI and guest speaker, continued the theme of change from his own experiences of implementing extensive and often radical change in large corporations. 'The biggest risk is taking no risks at all!

John Petersen, vice-president and commer cial director of American Express, with sample of ambulance-shaped collecting bo x.

Director Cadets and Training at National Headquarters, Jim Bond, briefly outlined the activities of the Cadet D epartment over the last year - the introduction of the Action Pack and the new uniform. A lively presentation from Bertie Badger 'in the land of make believ e' followed and we were entertained and informed about the progress of Bertie and friends - the rapidly growing Badger movement.

Dr Graham , Surgeon-in-Chief , chaired the afternoon session with ruthless determin· ation (and a handbeU) to ensure that no speaker exceeded the allotted time!

Sharon Bowler, Jim Bond 's Assistant explained why s h e considered training be so vital for the Brigade and also offered a taster of her intensive weekend courses

Jeanne Mercer, Chief W elfa re Officer spoke on the importance of community care an expanding area of the Brigade's work.

As D e puty Chief Nursing Officer, Helen Gribble outlined activities and develop· ments in nursing ; and th e session was concluded with a talk by Dr Harry Bak er Assistant Surgeon -in -C hief , on happenin gs in the medical department.

The open forum session, chaired by Chief Staff Officer Laurie Hawes a particularly fetching bow tie, produced a sequence of challenging que stio ns aD a variety of topics which were fielded by the speakers as best they could.

RAF Red Arrows pilot Squadron Leader Pete Collins gave an exciting iUu · trated talk abo ut life wit h t hi s worl d· famo u s aerobatic team. A high degre e of training and skill is demanded of pilots and working together as a team is not onlr essential but vital to living.

Saturday evening comprised dinner at the Pavilion Rooms followed by dancin g to The Main Attraction '.

The Sunday morning conference session began with a presentation by John Peter· sen, Vice-President and Commercial Director of American Express, who as a result of research carried out by American Express put forward proposals for a nell' St John Ambulance livery and an ambulance-shaped collecting box

The Reverend Roger Royle , Radio 2's ho st of ' Good Morning Sunday made a specia trip from his studio in Bristol to conduct the Service with music by the Balh Salvation Army Band

The conference weekend reached a fitting conclusion with David Barn es' amusing account of life at No 1 Grosvenor Crescent during those tense days anO weeks prior to the Greatest of all Gre al Parties

The weekend was rounded off with a video compilation of St John television highlights broadcast during centenary year

THE FOLLOWING statement was agreed by the members of the editorial committee of the tripartite committee of the Three Voluntary Aid Societies Dr Ian Pink erton Dr Declan O ' Brien and Dr Can Molloy.

Introduction

The 4th Edition of the First Aid Manual was introduced in 1982. It set out to moqerni se the presentation of first aid training and in particular to provide more and better illustrations of first aid procedures. This change in format proved popular and well over a million 4th e dition manuals have been sold.

History

Some years ago the three Voluntary Aid Societies set up a committee which meets regularly to discuss advances in medicine and procedures and to make suggestions for improvements in the manual. In Decemb er 1984 the Societies' Chief Medical Advisers reviewed the 4th Edition aDd agreed with the publishers , Dorling Kindersley , that the need for amendments was so great that a new edition would be required rather than another impression. The first draft of the revised text was completed in June 1986. It was scru tini sed by consultants representing the three Societies and improvements, where agreed , were incorporated in the final text. !his new 5th Edition was finally published LD July 1987.

Why change?

First aid is in the vanguard of emergency medicine which is constantly being assessed and improved. First aid teaching does not have to follow every new medical fas hion but the VAS tripartite committee takes th e view that new techniques which have becom e internationally accepted should be incorpora ted in the First Aid Manual at the earliest opportunity the field of cardia pulmonary resuscitatIon , the consensus view which emerged fO ll owing the 1981 International Conference held in Copenhagen were incorporated in the text of the 4th Edition of the First Aid Manual. The few a lterations

Where t hese changes in the new manual must be remembered. Launceston (Cornwall) members transfer an injured jockey to a helicopter, Cornwall's rst air ambulance, which has been in operation for year. This was its eighth casua lty to hosp ital f ligh t rom a public duty

made in the chapter on Resusci tation in the 5th Edition were the universally accepted changes adopted at the 1985 Dallas Interna t ional Conference

Numerous requests to amplify certain sections of the 4th Edition , and to include new material were received from experts in various fields of first aid. Unconsciousness was one subject which needed updating and the handling of suspected spinal injuries by first -aiders was

FIRST AID TEACHING DOES NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW EVERY NEW MEDICAL FASHION

highlighted in an ABC Series in the British Medical J au maP and in a protracted correspondence which followed 5 The handling of spinal injuries was further discussed in the St John Review in 1987 4 New sections on these subjects have been included.

More information has been given on the principles of treatment of fractures , and the option of using traction if a fracture d limb is severely bent or angled , has been restored. Modern views of hypothermia and shock are incorporated in other sections. Certain information and techniques

which have been justifiably criticised have been omitted. Amongst these is the ineffective Sylvester Method of artificial ventilation. The ring pad , which take s so long to fashion, is often made of the wrong diameter or depth for its purpose and is rarely seen in use outside the classroom, has been taken out. The description of the lymphatic system has also been excluded, as its relevance to first aid is extremely indirect.

Major changes

The major changes from the 4th Edition covered by this paper are in the subjects of resuscitation , unconsciousness , spinal cord injuries and fractures.

AIDS is not mentioned in the text because the first -aide r is more at risk of infection from other blood-borne diseases than from AIDS itself. The first -aider is encouraged to limit the risk by advising washing before and after contact with blood. In order to minimise the exposure of the first-aider to the casualty 's blood, the casualty is asked to apply direct pressure to a bleeding wound. If this is not possible , the first-aider should apply a dressing (if readily available) before applying direct pressure to stop the bleeding A chapter on the general rules of hygiene has been introduced which differentiates between emergency first aid and where planned first aid activities permit the use of

Concinued on p.l09

ON MAY 14 1888, the Order of St John became an Order of the British Crown, with the reigning monarch as the Sovereign Head. As well as the Sovereign, many other members of the Royal Family have become involved with the Order and played a full and important part in its activities over the last 100 years.

This article, by Pamela Willis, of the Order's Library and Museum, features illustrations of some of the Order's many past and present Royal connections and gives background information on the significance of the Royal Charter.

HRH Queen Victoria's Charter 1888

In May 1540, King Henry VIII the English branch of the KnIghts of St John , confiscating all their was virtually the last of the monastIC IllStltutions to be abolished.

Queen Mary I restored the Order , granting back a lot of its former land , although this was now in other hands and when

The Order

100 years ago - on May 14 1888 _ the Order of St John became an Order of the British Crown

and the Crown

And the Royal Family has played a full an d important part in the Order ever since

Before the 1888 charter was granted - HRH

Princess Christian distributing certificates issued by the 8t John Ambulance Association at the Guildhall , London , in 1885.

Elizabeth came to the throne , she again confiscated the land. The Knights, in Malta since 1530, continued to appoint Priors of England and Bailiffs of Egle, the offices which carried a seat on the ChapterGeneral of the Order. Most of the Klllghts appointed were not English, as England was a Protestant country and the Order was a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. There were constant struggles between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant faiths which caused many religious wars in many parts of Europe from the 16th to the late 18th centuries. In 1783 , the Knights of Malta formed a new AngloBavarian Tongue with the consent of the Pope and King George III , although Elector of Bavaria abolished the Order III his territories in 1808. The Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Order , in the mid-18th century , and agaIll III 1852 and later recognised by the Kaiser as the J ohanniterorder had an essentially Protestant membership and helped casualties on the battlefields during the European wars of the 19th century.

After Malta fell to Napoleon, the Order was in some disarray. Its income had been

severely curtailed as a result of the Revolution. Following the restoratIon of the Bourbons to the French throne in 1814, after the fall of Napoleon , there was a move among the French Langues of the Order to revive the English Langue (Lan· guage). These ini tial moves were in 1828 and should be put into context of European politics of the penod, and. the struggle for territory of the vanoul European powers At a time when there was no Grand Master , it was thought tha i the revival of the English Langue mighl help the Order. Britain had been granted Malta and was a strong European power. The French knights were not reall) empowered to initiate a revival of the English Langue , but acted III good faIth to try and regenerate the Orde.r. By 183 1, they had initiated an English Langue Interest in England grew. worth remembering that the EmanCIpatIon Act, allowing Roman Catholics to hold again in England , was not passed until 1832. Many letters and dISCUSS ing requirements and procedures were exchanged, bu t the III 1tia ll y favour· able reaction of some members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta waned and in 1858 the Grand Master declared that he could not have an English Langue that admitted Protestants, although the Bailiwick of Brandenburg and the Grand Priory of Russia were 18th-century examples within the Order of non-Catholic membership The people that had been gathered together in England as English Langue were lllspireo to look for a role in the Hospltaller tr a· dition and to seek recognition from Crown of their status. This was In recognition of their pioneering work III th; ambulance and first aid movements and. o their hospitaller work in their eye hOSPlt ru in Jerusalem.

The Royal Charter , dated May 14 188K has as its preamble: 'Victona, by the Grace of G?d.of th: United Kingdom of Great Bntam an Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith , To all to whom these Presents sh all comr Greeting. Whereas Our wel.l-beloved His Royal Highness the Pnnce of Wale., on behalf of the Prior and .Brethren of th; Fraternity of the Grand Pnory of of the Venerable Order of the HOsplta UI St John of Jerusalem, has presented to : their humble Petition, signed on theU

Visit of HM Queen Mary to the 8t John Ambulance Hospital, Etaples, France July 61917.

behalf by Our well-beloved Son His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , a Knight of Ju s tic e of the sai d Fraternity , setting forth: 'That for more than fifty years, and therefore during the whole of Our Reign they and their predecessors have been united together as a Fraternity for the purpose of performing ho s pitaller and ot her charitable work; That the chief work which they hav e accomplished has been the establishment of the St John Ambulance Association , to which We ha ve been pleased to accord Our patronage and support, and that the Fraternity has founded the British Ophthalmic Hospital at Jerusalem (the ancient birthplace of the Order) , of which Our aforesaid wellbeloved Son His Royal Highness The Prince of Wale s, is Patron ; 'That His Grace The Duk e of Manchester is the present Prior of the Order ; That Our aforesaid well-beloved Son, His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , is a Knight of Justice of the said Fraternity ; That Our much-lamented Son, His Royal Highness The Duke of Albany , was also a Knight of Justice of the sa id Fraternity; That amongst the Ladies of Justice are enrolled the names of Our well-beloved Daughter-in-Law , Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales; Our wellbeloved Daughter , Her Royal Highness The Princess Helena (Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein) ; Our well-beloved Daughter Her Royal Highness The Pnncess Louise (Marchioness of Lome); well-beloved Daughter, Her Royal HIghness The Princess Beatrice (Princess of Battenberg) ; Her Royal Highness The Princess Mary of Cambridge (Duchess of Teck) ; Her Majesty The Queen of Sweden and Norway Her MajThe Queen of Denmark ; Her Royal HIghness The Reigning Grand Duchess of Baden

!he SChedule (quoting the more Interesting part) kThe Grand Priory of England is the head of the Sixth or English Language of t e Venerable Order of the Hospital of St JOhn of Jerusalem and shall be styled in all acts, proceedings , and pleadings by the of The Grand Priory of England of SheJ Venerable Order of the Hospital of t ohn of Jerusalem.

(Above) HRH The Duke of York, later King George VI, inspecting Nursing Members of the Brigade at Wembley in 1924

HRH The Duke of Connaught , Grand Prior of the Order, inspecting Stjohn Ambulance Cadets at the Royal Review 1925.

HM Queen Elizabeth accompanied by Lady Mountbatten 8uperintendent-in-Chief from 1942- 1960 on a visit to National Headquarters

2. Her Majesty the Queen is the Sovereign Head and Patron of the Grand Priory.

The Grand Priory (hereinafter called the Order) shall consist of the following grades of members:

Members: A Lord Prior

A Sub-Prior Grand Bailiffs Bailiffs

Commanders

Honorary Commanders

Knights of Justice

Ladies of Justice

Chaplains

Knights of Grace

Ladies of Grace

Esquires

Serving Brothers and Sisters with whom there may be associated (but not as Members):

Honorary Associates

Associates

Donats or Subscribers

3. The objects and purposes of the Order are:

The Order and

the Crown (cont.)

I Generally the encouragement and promotion of all works of humanity and charity in the relief of sickness distress , suffering, and danger , without distinction of nationality or creed, and the extension of the great principle of the Order , "Pro Utilitate Hominum'

II Aiding the sick poor, as by providing the convalescent out-patients of Public Hospitals and Dispensaries with diets prescribed by the Medical Officers , and visiting them at their homes during the period of sickness, the foundation and maintenance of Cottage Hospitals and Convalescent Homes and Training Establishments for nurses to attend the sick poor.

III The promotion of a more intimate acquaintance with the wants of the poor in time of sickness and the supplying such information as may usefully aid the proper authorities in the prosecution of measures for the improvement of the localities and houses they inhabit.

IV Aid to the sick and wounded in war and the promotion of such permanent organization during time of peace as may be at once available upon the occurrence of

any necessity for active exertion.

V The award of medals and badges Or certificates of honour for special services in the cause of humanity, especially for saving life at imminent personal risk.

VI The maintenance of the St John Ambulance Association, the objects of which are:

a. The instruction of persons in rendering first aid in case of accidents or sudden illness, and in the transport of the sick and injured ;

b. The instruction of persons in the elementary principles and practice of nursing and hygiene especially of a sick room;

c. The manufacture and distribution, by sale or presentation , of ambulance material , and the formation of ambulance depots mines , factories , and other centres of IOdustry and traffic;

d. The organization of ambulance corps , invalid transport corps , and nursing corps;

e And generally the promotion of instruction and carrying out works for the relief of suffering of the sick and injured in peace and war , independentl y of class, nationality or denomination.

VII The formation of provincial associations or organizations in furtherance of the general objects of the Order.

VIII The maintenance of the British Ophthalmic Hospital at Jerusalem (the ancient birth-place of the Order) , for the treatment of eye diseases , irrespective of race or creed

The Brigade and other developments

The St John Ambulance Brigade is not mentioned by name , as it had only recently been formed and was covered by VId above. Successive monarchs have each issued a Supplemental Charter , confirming and developing the original one. The 1926 Charter includes in the aims of the Ord er, the maintenance at St John ' s Gate of th e Library and of the Museum and the collection of works of art and objects of historical interest relating to the Order. Since 1874, the Order had its headquarters in the Gate , the entrance to the medieval headquarters of the Knights of St John in England.

In 1888, the Order was graciously allowed to use the lion and the unicorn , the supporters of the Royal coat-of-arms in the angles of the eight-pointed crosS , the badge of the Order, to show that it was British Order of St John , and in 1926 KJOg George V granted the Order the right to use the Royal Crest on the a rms of the ancient Order. Membership of the Ordefls an honour conferred by the Sovereign Head on those who have worked to support the Order s aims, as expresse.d in its mottos, Pro Fide and Pro UtIhtate Hominum , For the Faith and In the Service of Mankind. This is normally granted to those who have undertaken volunt af)' service to the community, usually the Order's charitable foundatio ns 0 St John Ambulance and the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.

HRH The Princess Royal, Commandantin-Chief Ambulance and Nursing Cadets hears all about casualty simulation from cadets while on a visit to Becontree Division, Essex, November 1987 (Photo: Barking and Dagenham Post).

AND TODAY

HRH The Duke of Gloucester Grand Prior of the Order of St John.

The World of St John The World of St John

North Yorks

I hear that there were 900 SJ A members and their guests - including the Sheriff and his lady - at th e Centenary Carol Service in York Minster , and everyone was in such fine voice that some felt the foundations of the old minster were shaken! The service was conducted by Canon Jack Armstrong, Brigade chaplain.

Later , 200 people were at a SJA Christmas party at the home of Lord Mountgarret, at which £4,000 was raised for SJA North Yorkshire

LOOKING AHEAD

May 16: Badger Leaders ' R eg ional Meeting , Middlesbrough

May 17: Badger Leaders ' R egion a l Meeting , Leicester

May 18: Badger Leaders ' R egiona l Meeting , Bristol

May 19: Badger Leaders ' R egiona Meeting , Preston

May 19: Florence Nightingale Service, Westminster Abbey

North Yorks Area Superintendent (A) John Blackburn who retired at the end of 1987 after many years of service with the Brigade - a Great Yorkshire Show official said: The show will not be the same without him.' - was given a farewell party at the home of President Dale s Area, Mrs Joanna Lucas.

Quads join Badgers

All of the Crawley Quadruplets from Bedgrove , Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire , have become St John Badgers on their sixth birthday. Hazel, Carl , Rebecca and Craig Crawley joined at a special party at the St John Headquarters , Aylesbury, during January.

A dozen or so St John Badgers were at the party to greet the new members and share a special Badger Birthday Cake'.

New Division

were received into

Newly-formed Crysta l Palace Cadet Division, which is to help the adult Division to cover the National Sports Centre , recently enro ll ed ten cadets at its inaugural evening. Best wishes, Crystal Palace Cadets.

In Boots!

Kim Godwin , PRO Crawley, Sussex, writes:

For ' All the Right Reasons' , Pam Gould (DIS Crawley Nursing Div) and I spent six hours together in boots! No, not the wellington variety , but a publicity day arranged

by our president with the manager of Boots the Chemist, Crawley.

We continuously showed our video For all the Right Reasons ', had resusci-baby on display toge t her with many leaflets and publications relating to a ll aspects of St John (including our new newsletter 'Action in Sussex '!). We also handed outa Ii t of names and phone numbers of local St John contacts and fir t aid courses available

Most enquiries were for first aid courses, and as our area border s Surrey we were often asked about course and divisions in that county. So we hope neighbouring divisions will also benefit from our pro· motion day.

At the end of our stint, Pam and I found the manager to thank him for allowing us to use his shop, only to be greeted with a gift and thanks for being there!

So come on other divisions who do nol

the World of St John

do this sort of thing, why not have a go at setting up such a day? You never know , you too may come away with a bottle of Rocha s Mystere perfume!

St John Germany

On a chilly Sunday afternoon members of uhe Bielefeld Division assembled outside Ripon Hall, Bielefeld , West Germany to witness the dedication and blessing of the first ambulance belonging to the German Area.

The ex-army Bedford ambulance was purchased with funds kindly donated by the Bielefeld Flower Club and other wellwisheFS. After repair and re-spraying and the application of the St John insignia the ve hicl e passed the statutory roadworthiness test

This new acquisition will be used on public functions where St John provide medic al cover such as the Rhine Army Summer Show and the European Scouts

Annual INTER-CAMP Courses have been organised to train personnel in the use of the ambulance and an excellent service is offered. Among the distinguish ed guests were the Commander Medical , Brigadier Coombe LlRAMC, the Han Major Gray , son of the Lord Prior, Colonel Wardle and the Rev A. Heagarty CF, who conducted the service of dedication.

The ceremony was presided over by the Area Commissioner, the Rev M. Jones , and was hosted by the Divisional President, Major Keith Warnock RAMC.

Raffle result

North West Area of Greater Manchester County writes:

Many thanks to all the Review readers wh.o bought tickets during 1987 for our qmlt raffle. The draw was made during O.cto ber at the Bolton Corps HQ and the wmner was Mr M A. Jones, of MidGlamorgan , with ticket No 1428. He travelled to Priory House , Cardiff , in December and Dr J. Parry, the Commander .' presented the prize. Despite the dreadful weather Britain la st summer, the quilt made qUIte a few appearances at outside events as well as at craft exhibitions and fair. The realised £1,176 for NW Area funds, whIch was a magnificent achievement and

Centenary and Jubilee!

At Weymouth AlC and N IC triple party - centenary and ub l f d' '. ee or ambulance and nursing cadet - Deputy Commissioner Jill White cuts S e cake. At least seven former and present Divl Upts were th h hi' ere, Wit present superintendents o QII;)g jubil ee certific?tes (right)

The World of St John

Having a ball at the Old Time Music Hall organised by SJA Stanway Division, Colchester, Essex. President of the Division Mrs Elizabeth Smellie is being made up to by patriotic Review Board chairman, Dr Norman Paros, Esse x Cou nty Surgeon (left) with Dr and Mrs Weller.

An ambulance for SJA in Germany. (L to r) Dr Manche, Area Surg eon; Major Warnock, President Rev A. Heagarty; Rev M Jones , Area Commissioner and Mrs L. Lawson Div Supt. See story ST JOHN GERMANY. (Photo: Steve Povey)

(Right) Humberside County Staff Officer Miss Joan Barker who was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours for her many years of service to SJ Nursing Cadets. (Photo: Hull Daily Mail).

The Chief Commander, Major-Gen Peter Leuchars on a tour of SJA North Yorkshire ear/yin the year sees a demonstration of resuscitation (Photo : Yorkshire Evening Post).

The recruits

the Badgers by Badger Leader Rosemary Stratfull and Bob Payne, Commander for Buckinghamshire.

Essex Radio handed a cheque for £25,000 from their Helping Hands appeal to the county SJA and then Joe Bird, SJA Commander Essex, here makes Essex Radio staff SJA honorary members.

One hundred jumpers knitted for the Oxfam Appeal in just under two years, that's the record of Cheshire CSO (Cadets) Mrs M. McCormick.

The World of St John The World of St John

The World of St John

thanks go to everyone who helped and supported us. We are hoping to buy a photocopier from the proceeds

Magic time

The Van Buren Magic Spectacular is an amazing family -show of illusion mind reading, children's magic, speciality acts and classic magic. For instance, I'm told he can make a motorbike (and rider!) disappear. Also he can pass an illuminated fluorescent tube through a girl's body.

Also in the show is David Barnes (of last year's SJA Great Party) who is known to thousands of children as Barney the Magic Clown.

Merlin Productions can supply this 2-hour show anywhere in the UK for fundraising. You supply the hall and sell the tickets , they supply the rest for a guarantee of up to £500.

Further information from David Barnes, Merlin Productions 24 Sanderstead Avenue London NW2 ISG. Phone 01-452 5292.

Penryn (Cornwall's)

SJA Sussex is holding a fun day at Butlin ' s Southcoast World , Bognor Regis, on Saturday, September 17 - when all the fun and games of this spectacular fun park will be included in the entry charge.

Entrance tickets at a special rate of £3.60 adults and £2.80 children can be reserved by applying before May 30 to St John Ambulance, 25A Farncombe Road , Worthing BNll 2A Y.

Action Hampshire

For a wild and wonderful day of excitement and adventure for all , SJA Hants tells us , come along on June 4 and 5 to Marwell Zoo in the heart of Hampshire.

One of Britain's biggest and most important zoos, Marwell s success as a world renowned wndlife conservation and breeding centre means that there are always many rare and delightful young animals to see there.

Kington (Herefordshire) Cadet 0/0

Sonya Button receives £750 for divisional funds from Kington's Lady Hawkins School annual charity day (Photo: Hereford Times).

Just some of attractions include:

Big cats and small cubs

Train rides through the park

Herds of rare specie

Children ' s farmyard and play areas

Scenic picnic sites

Stroll through wallaby walk Restaurant , bar , kiosks and shop s

In addition , Hampshir e St John will be holding a number of displays and special fun events for St John members a nd th eir fami li es as well as the gen e ral public .

At the special concessionary rate of £2 70 for adults and £1.60 for childr e n it an event you cannot afford to miss. So come and enjoy a wonderful d a y in beaut ful surroundings. Parking is free and there is also a Kodak fr ee cam er a loan service . For further details contact Marw e ll ZO(} logical Park Colden Common near Winchester , Hampshire S021 11H. Tele· phone Owslebury (096-274) 406.

(Below) Hitchin (Herts) Division s Victor Kirby received farewell gifts from when he retired after 51 years with SJA.

SJA Hampshire s two-day visit to Marwell Zoo will include seeing animals such as this Mountain Zebra and foal. See story ACTION HAMPSHIRE

SCHOOLS PROJECT

Three Cross Award

Two hundred and thirty 3rd year pupils at Hartford High School , Cheshire , were awarded (right) their One Cross Award' certificates recently. They were taught fir st aid by their teacher , Pauline Harwood , who is head of third year. Mr R. J. Farr , headteacher , receive s the special certificate from Dr L. Kader , Commander for Cheshire on behalf of his school.

Wiltshire

Idmiston School is one of four schools in Wiltshire to take part in the Three Cross Award scheme. The picture (nght) shows Mrs Pat Huxter instructing pupil s in the first part of the award. Fennelly places patient Buckman in the recovery

POSItIOn watched by some of the ldmlston pupils. Twenty-one pupils were presen ted with the One Cross Award certifica te.

Schools nOminated for the new certificate

The World of St John

to Wolverhampton Area

Commissioner Mr R Wiggins, and Area President, Mrs J Spencer, by a local firm BASF Coatings.

Cheshire

Blaeon Hall County Junior School Road , Blacon.

Bishops (Blue Coat) C of E High

School , Vaughan Lane , Gre at Boughton. Isle of Wight

Somerton County Middle School , Cowes.

Swanmore Middle Schoo l, Ryde. Medina High School , Newport. Sandown County High School , Sandown.

Norfolk

Whitewoman Lane Middle School , Sprowston, Norwich.

South and West Yorkshire

Allerton Grange High School Leed

Staffordshire

Endon High School Endon. Walton Comprehen ive School, Walton.

(Right) Major John Greener (left) receives

Commander SJA. (Photo: George Gallop).

(Right) £200-worth of special ambulance paint was handed

Northumbria Commissioner Gordon Crowther hands over the keys of a new ambulance to

S George Yates in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The game that is maki 'ng learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review's Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, Chorley, Lancs PR7 SAP. B T L E H s M N F Q D A R o J p K G I c

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland, and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn, Curriculum Development Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lanes.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the question master asks them that question. If they answer corr ect ly the y have scored thai square. The object is to take all the squares in a lin e vertica ll y or horizontali) in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of a, the lines being blocked , so that neither team can complete a line, the game IS all square.

prot ective clothing and disinfectants and provide for the disposal of contaminated matenals.

Resuscitation

New in str uct ions follow the recommendation s of the Dallas Fourt h National Conference inc orporated in the Standards and Guidelin es and Emergency Cardiac Care of th e American Heart Association and the Am e rican Red Crossl. The Resuscitation Council observers (Br iti sh? accepted the recomm e nd ations but with reservations about the efficiency of abdomina l thrust in the tr eatment of airway obstruction

Changes included the use of chin lift/head tilt to open the airwa y, superseding the use of the h and to lift the neck. Th en to clear obvious obstructions from the mouth and not to waste time looking for hidden obstructions which might be out of reach.

Th e n ew method of ventilation , giving two full breaths, avoids the h azards of building up too much pressure in the mouth which may force open the oesoph agus and cause distension of the stomach and the regurgitation of s tomach contents which may be aspirated into the lungs. The carotid pul se can be felt more easily on the side ne arest the first -aider and should be so ught after the first two inflations.

It is worth while quoting an observat ion from th e American Heart Associa ti on Standards and Guide lin es for Card iopulmonar y Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care 'nor do they (the recomme ndations) suggest that care delivered und er pr evious guidelines is either unsafe or ine ffective. The Standards and Guid e lin es promulgated herewith are considered the most effective and the most easily t eachable that the current knowledge and experience can provide'.

Unconsciousness

First -aid ers were somewhat confused by the assessment of unconsciousness , as described in the last manual. Definition of unconsciousness is introduced in the 5th Edition b ased on the casualty's awareness of hims elf and his surroundings. The adoption of an assessme nt of the level of res pon sive n ess based on eye opening , ve rbal and motor responses gives a practica l means , to the first-aider, of monitoring the leve l of unconsciousness.

CHANGES in the new MANUAL (cont)

Insufficient oxygenation of the br ai n and spina l cord may occur when the airway is obstruct ed, when there is insufficient venti ation, eg , by poor artificial vent ilatio n technique , or when insufficient oxygenated blood reaches the injured nervous tiss ues because of shock, especially if the casualty has been seated upright

The supreme importance of maintaining an adequate s upp ly of blood for carrying oxygen to the brain and spinal cord has been demonstrated 4 This is why so much emphasis is given to the maintenance of an open airway in the casualty with brain or spinal cord injuries and why casualties with suspecte d fracture d skulls, whether conscious or unconsciou s, are place d immediately in the Reco very Position

First -aiders had tended , in bringing the unconscious casualty into the recovery position , to allow the body to slump too far forwa rd The procedure is altered so that

'We

welcome constructive comments and criticism

the casualty lies on his side. The final position is checked for stability and the first-aider is asked to ensure that not more than half the casualty s chest is in contact with the groun d and an open airway maintained.

Spinal injury

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. L.

This is secretion from the liver.

A person injured due to an accident. M.

Inflammation of the skin. N.

An organ which vibrates with sound wave s. O.

A substance which contracts to form a clot. P.

Death of a tissue due to lack of arterial blood supply

A hollow muscular organ that maintains the circulation of Q. blood.

The lower half of the small intestine R.

The main vein in the region of the neck. S.

Joint between the femur and tibia T.

A band of flexibl e tough white fibrous tissues connectio joi nt s.

The soft substance filling long bon e cavi ti es.

A sensation of sickness.

The back of the skull.

A gland lying transversely across th e back of the ab domio al cavity.

Segregation of people or animals that hav e been expose d lO a communicable dis ease.

The last part of th e gastrointestinal tract.

A sudden muscula r contraction.

The anklebone.

Answers on p 111

The assessment is adapted from the Glasgow Coma Scale 6 used in most hosin th e U ni ted Kingdom and internahonally and can give hospital staff useful early information

The use of the VAS Observation Chart, Where th e l evel of responsiveness, pulse br ea thin g rate are recorded every 10 IlUnutes will be a va lu able aid to the managem e nt of an unconscious casualty A steady fa ll in pulse rate indicates increasing pr essure and the surgeon may decide on an immediate operation, instead delaying to observe the casua lt y s reachOllS.

This is a new procedure in which the uncon scio us casualty is rolled like a log on to his s ide , so that the nose , na ve l a nd toe s are kept in line throughout the move and the head is supported by the first-aider's hands over the casualt y's ears and b y the casualty's lowermost arm under his head Ideall y this procedure require s five helpers, but if the breathing becomes difficult and lifting the jaw and tilting the head back slightly does not restore adequate breathing, or if the casualty looks as if he ma y vomit (and this may happen without warning) then the single handed first-aider mu st turn the casualty at once into th e Spinal Injury Recovery Po sit ion , taking care that the h ea d does not drop and that the spine is not twisted. (Protection of the airway must take priorit y. A first-aider ma y not be sure that the spine is injured but can see breathing is impaired and a casualty with a spinal cord injury must not be left on hi s back too long.)

Conscious Casualty

Spinal fractures are discussed in five se ctions ; in Action at an Em ergency ( P31 and P35), when the casualty is uncon scious (P9 3-99), when the casualty with a back injury is conscious (P124-127), in Procedure at Major Incidents (P165-167) and finally, altho ugh it is pointed out that lifting and transporting a casualty with a suspected fractured spine is not a first ai d skill except in extrem e circumstances, t he Manual Lift for a Fractured Spine, using six bearers if moving the casualty is unavoid ab le (P202) is described.

Unconscious Casualty

In the unconscious casualty , in accidents where the spine may h ave be e n bent or twisted with force, th e first-aider is asked to ass um e t h at the spine has b ee n injured, until proved otherwise b y X -r ay, a nd to put the casualty into the Spinal Injur y Recovery Position as early as possible

When the casualty is conscious the firstaider can be more confident of making a diagnosis. The nature of the accident and any disturbance of feeling or movement declared , however slight or however temporary , should raise the possibility of a spinal fracture or a spinal cord injury. In the trea t ment , maintaining the airwa y, breathing and circulation take priority and the positioning of the casualty depends on these priorities. If the casualty is in danger he has to be removed. If vomiting is likely to occur , the casualty must be placed in the Spinal Injury Recovery Position. The conscious casualty with a suspected fracture of the spine should be left in the position in which he was found He should not be moved on the grounds of convenience but should await the arrival of the ambulance. The first-aider should steady and support the head and neck with his hands until the ambulance arrives, maintaining this support on the (s coop ) stretcher and in the ambulance (if the crew agrees) until arrival at the hospital. If vomiting is likely or the casualty becomes unconscious , he must be placed in the Spinal Injury Recovery Position.

Fractures

It is helpful to first-aiders to remember that when a bone is broken , blood vessels and soft tissues are ruptured and blood escapes into the injured area. The broken ends of bones may be sharp and puncture intact blood vessels if the bones are roughl y handled during examination or treatment. The more the casualty is handl e d the greater the possibilit y of more bleeding and further injury, more pain and greater shock. Treatment is therefore advised in three circumst ances

The first is to treat the casualt y at the site of the accident, warn him to lie still and do

THE ARMY'S medical services, staffed by both regular and territorial officers and soldiers, are formed by the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC). The army needs a relatively small regular service to maintain the peace time requirements for hospital and routine health care of its soldiers and families. In time of war this service has to more than double to cope with a much larger army and expected battle casualties. Some of these additional service men and women will come from the reserves, but a most significant portion will come from the Territorial Army (TA).

As with other arms of the T A, there are two types of unit a volunteer can join . Most of these are 'i ndependent' , that is units based on Territorial Army Centres in towns, and are run very much as regular units, but apart from a small regular officer and NCO cadre the bulk of members report for training one evening a week and at least one weekend a month. There is also a two week annual camp either in this country or abroad.

'Specialist' units are the other type, whose members have a much lower commitment. They do not have a local Territorial Army Centre, but are drawn from all over the country and come together for at least two weekends and one fortnight each year. This kind of unit is most suitable for such as the Medical Services, where the bulk of volunteers offer the skills they practise every day in their civilian occupations.

The medical services provide the full range of health and emergency care, and attract volunteers from all specialities, including surgeons, physicians and anaesthetists as well as nurses physiotherapists, dispensers, radiographers , clerks and storemen, from the most experienced consultants to the newest student.

In time of war, the army medical services grow to full strength and the T A provides at least 10 more General Hospitals, two

Britain's * M-A-S-H

The Medical Services of the Territorial Army

by Major BOB PEEDLE, SBStJ, RMP(v)

BOB PEEDLE served ill the Metropolitan Police, retiring after 25 years with the rank of superintendent 1982. He then joined the Territorial Army in the Royal Milita ry Police to raise a new Provost unit Brighton in Sussex. In 1985 he was appointed to the Public Information Pool of the TA and is now a officer at the Ministry of Defence.

As a police officer he was obliged to hold a currentfirst aid certificate, and for tell years from 1959 he a Police first aid instructor. He joined the St John Ambu/.ance Brigade ill 1962 and served until during which time he raised a new Division at Epping in Essex and was one of those who devised and the St John Ambulance Air Wing On leaving the Brigade he held the rank of Air Wing attached to Brigade Headquarters. He was appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St John Since retiring, Bob Peedle has been afreelance broadcaster and travel consultant with the BBC alld Travel Unit.

Forward Hospitals, a Field Ambulance and some 50 other medical units. All fighting and support regiments of the army also have their own Medical Officer , who is their GP.

One of the specialisations for which men of no previous experience are recruited is the Combat Medical Technician, who is the linchpin of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He has to work where the action is , giving initial life-saving treatment to the injured on the field of battle, often under fire, and to get them back to medical aid

These men have to be trained to survive as soldiers as well as become very efficient at first aid and resuscitation techniques. After recruiting and some initial training at the local Territorial Army Centre, he goes to the Army Medical Services Training

The Medic is trained to save life ..... and be capable of killing ...

Centre at Aldershot for a two-week course, leading to the qualification of Combat Medical Technician Class 3.

At the end of this course he will know as much about camouflage , map reading and survival in the field as any TA infantryman. He will have learnt to fire the sub-mac hin e gun and know something about other infantry weapons. This is necessary in the modern concept of war, because it is now no good for the medic merely to know how to save life by first aid, but he must be capable of fighting to retrieve the casualty,

*Mobile Army Surgical Hospitalthe American TV programme

to defend the casualty, and if necessary fight to get him to medical aid further baCK from the front.

It is a strange predicament in that the medic is trained on one hand to save life and on the other to be capable of killing.ll wars were to be fought by the rules of the Geneva Convention th e n this would not necessary. It is forbidden to fire on attack the red cross symbol or equivalent. In theory medics are prot by this rule in practice it may not be so. Our medics also have the ta save lives of anyone injured in a co including the enemy and civilians.

The value of TA membership of Army Medical Services to society has m in common with that of volunteers 01 St John Ambulance, in that more members of the public are proficient at vita l life· saving techniques of first aid. Other arml of the T A , including my own corps the Royal Military Police, also teach their members first aid

The TA boasts that it is a good eco proposition in the defence of this It is a body of highly professional so j(jlelll" well ab le to march alongside the regul time of crisis; however the cost to pay administer , feed and clothe them is about one-seventh of that for their colleagues.

There are considerable benefits to the volunteer. He or she is encourage d to bl fit, which is monitored each year by ! fitness test, and on joining and every three years there is a medical examina tion m"".;.;lII"

There is the chance to learn and practIse management and leadership te Training is taken very seriously a skills of the volunteer are put to realistic test on exercise, often stre ssful conditions.

The TA are absolutely vital: says Colonel Dick Hardie, RAMC, the Commandant of the Army Medical Services Training Centre at Keogh Barracks, Aldershot

Britain's M-A-S-H (cont.)

Old fashioned 'Bull' is not neglected in the modern army. Uniforms have to be smart, boots shining and one's bearing military The trained soldier has that special bearing that pride in appearance brings Employers are beneficiaries when one of their employees joins the TA. They get a better man or woman , someone who receives training and experience that is expensive to provide by other means. A smarter, fitter and more responsible employee, one who reacts well to instructions and is self disciplined.

Keogh Barracks

A visit to the Medical Services training centre at Keogh Barracks in Aldershot showed me the extent of the training of a volunteer Combat Medical Technician. The intensive two-week course includes detailed instruction on all aspects of first aid. Dealing with asphyxia and the unconscious casualty are priority subjects, of course, together with wounds and bleeding, fractures and burns. In addition, dealing with the effects of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare is a major first aid subject, as well as a military one where prevention of injury is paramount. During their nine sessions of drill , the enthusiasm of the volunteer initially makes up for the civilian background , and by the end of the course a very creditable degree of military bearing and skill at drill has been achieved.

The regular officer commanding the Training Centre, Colonel Dick Hardie RAMC beli eves that the training of the volunteer TA so ldi er is a vital part of his role. 'In tim e of war we cannot function without the TA,' he said. 'They are absolutely vital to the army's effort.

Among the volunteers under training when I visited was Private Stephen Fisher, from Morpeth, near Newcastle. His

CARING for the DYING

By DOROTHY SEAMAN SRN County Nursing Officer, Cleveland

, all from Dundee. civilian job is a shift supervisor and control room with Boots Chemical, and as an occupationa l first-aider he chose th e TA Medics. This 34-year-old married man with two children served for five years in the army cadets as a youngster. He now hopes to gain a commission as an officer in the next few years. He said It s great. It' sa good life and a complete change from eivilian life .' After only eight months in the

THE DECISION to care at home for the I patient whose death is certain and felt to be not too far away should be one of choice both by patient and relatives. Professional nursing expertise will be given by the District Nursing team , but nursing care in the community is by nature, discontinuous care, so the volun· teer with basic nursing training is invalu· able. Because relatives wish to care for their loved one at home does not neces· sarily mean they feel confident to do so. They may worry that they cannot lo ok after the patient as well as would hospital staff. With adequate support, both profes· siona l and untrained, this is simp ly not true. Individualised care that is given by a family cannot be bettered or equa ll ed in ho spital.

The physical and emotiona l stra in on relatives at this time is enormous and the volunteer can be of great assistance in many ways. Practical help is perhaps uhe first consideration, but psychological help is equa lly important. The benefit of a good listener cannot be measured; the volunteer with time and empathy provides an inval u able service.

The only certain event in this life is tha t we all have to die. Dying is part of living. It has been said that our St John Divisions do

TA , he has completed the recruit's and is now a class 3 Combat Medical Technician Despite finding the physical side somewhat demanding, he has survived with a determination to make the most of his part-time career in the TA.

Another recruit on the course who is having a complete change from civvy street is Private William Tuckett, a 37-year-old heavy goods vehicle driver from Heavitree , Exeter , Devon. Despite being busy with his work and family, including two daughters , he has found time to keep fit and run in loc al half marathons , and has qualified as a billiards and snooker coach

To find the comp lete variation from normal life , and to get the satisfaction of learning something useful, he joined the 211 Field Hospital , TA It 's sometimes tiring , but it is interesting and there is a good social life , ' he says.

Strong links

There are very strong links between the Order of St John and the Army Medical Services. A section of a TA medical unit was in support at last year's Great Party in Hyde Park , and St John and Red Cross volunteers assist with welfare visits in many military hospitals around the world. It is a recognised feature of the St John Ambulance Brigade to provide reserves for the medical services of the Armed Forces in time of crisis. Belonging to the TA howev er, takes more than an evening and

not provide programmes with enough variety and material for mental stimulus. With the introduction of the triennial reexamination there is now an opportunity to study a particular aspect of nursing care in greater depth.

'The Volunteer and the Dying Patient could provide a useful subject for a short nursing course.

Suggested 6 weeks programme

Week 1

StUdy 'The Needs of the Patient - page 8 Caring for the Sick. Terminally ill patients have needs in the same way as any other patient. Consider those needs likel y to be greater.

group 's own experience of this and thetr personal views of dying will be most valuable.

Consider your own (the volunteer's) needs when supporting the: l. Terminally ill patient.

2. The relatives.

Enlist the help of: A Clergyman; a m.e mber of the Hospice Movement; a Distnct Nurse.

Weeks 2 and 3

Revise practical skills which as a trained v I ' o unteer, may be used to help the ter-

occasional duty from the volunteer; it demands weekends and at least one fortnight each year away from the family and business , in addition to the weekly evening training session at independent units. It is therefore not everybody's cup of tea.

Joining the Army Medical Services of the TA does, however , appeal to many, and cadet or adult membership of the St John Ambulance Brigade is first-class

Army medics up and over on the assault course

I I I NURSING I

min ally ill patient and their relatives:

Include:

Moving and lifting patients

Teaching others how to move patients

Positions in bed

Aids to comfort in bed

Enlist the help of: A Physiotherapist; a District Nurse.

All aspects of personal hygiene

Practise demonstrating simple procedures to others. Remember there are occasions when carers are managing the terminal patient alone and clear instruction will help them to cope.

Include very simple practical skills, ie:

How to hold a cup and support the head while giving a drink.

What to do if a patient coughs while drinking.

How to deal with unexpected events.

Week 4

Psychological Care and the role of the Volunteer

Study the stages of grief from:

1. The patient s view

2. The relatives ' view

Be aware of the fact that relatives grieving begins the moment they are told that

preparation for the TA. Former TA medics also make ready trained and useful members of the Brigade An und erstanding of the skills and conditions of services other than your own , and alongside whom you may have to work, can only be a benefit. A visit to a St John unit by an officer or NCO from the T A can always be arranged, and details of the local units are to be found in the telephone directory under Army'. their loved one is not going to recover.

Enlist help from: A McMillan Nurse; a trained Counsellor.

WeekS

Bereavement

Enlist help from: A ' Samaritan'; a member of the organisation CRUSE.

Week 6

Spiritual Care and the Volunteer

Understand the views and beliefs of both Christian and non-Christian religions, and be prepared to study them without bias.

Enlist help from: A Hospital Chaplain.

Any involvement with the terminally ill patient is demanding both physically and mentally. It requires skill, together with compassion and imagination.

St John members may be called upon to give help and assistance' indeed they may be faced with caring for a loved one of their own .

Caring for the dying is a very satisfying experience for both professional and lay helpers. Any effort to further and develop one's understanding cannot fail to benefit the volunteer and the public they serve.

Scottish Medics: Privates Raymond Bain, John Caithness and Kenneth Niven

I FELT PROUD

from Mrs Doreen Compton

Last year I was privileged to be attendant on a very moving aeromedical duty.

The ambulance driver and I met a very sick little boy of nine and his parents at the airport and transferred them to a London hospital for an MRI scan. The outcome was very tragic when the parents were told that their little boy had but a few weeks to live. We were the first contact these very shocked parents made in London and by the time we had seen them off from the airport we were very close for comparative strangers.

Driving home in silence, after a while the driver said: 'I think you feel as I do. ' Although we had both spent many years caring for sick and dying patients we were extremely moved by this family

I have since thought a great deal about that duty. When we are covering fetes and horse shows , often knee-deep in mud and pouring rain, who among us hasn't asked the question: 'Did I really volunteer for this?' The London airport duty made my 16 years as a St John member all seem so worth while I felt very proud of the professional way our training enabled us to carry out this delicate duty. I felt very proud to be wearing my St John uniform.

Cookham, Berks. Doreen Compton

FRUSTRATION

from Joan M. Wilkinson, Nursing Member

I feel I must write at the sheer frustration I felt at this year's (1987) FAWexam.

We are always taught that first aid is to preserve life, promote recovery and prevent deterioration , but we stand to lose good , conscientious members because of the questionnaire that precedes the exam. Some of the questions are ambiguous and by not reaching the required pass mark members are prevented from doing their practical and life support.

Some of the members have been passing First Aid, CFTS, parts 1 and 2, and earlier FA W, for 13 to 14 years , but were prevented from showing their skills because of the written part.

Is it any wonder that the Brigade is losing members? We are, after all, only first-aiders and not paramedics.

I shall probably not see this letter in print but at least I have aired my views. The method of answering the multi-choice paper leads members to make silly mistakes.

I write with the full knowledge of my divisional superintendent who fully agrees with my views.

London SW19 Joan Wilkinson

NO MORE CHANGES - PLEASE!

from

Stephen Nicholson, Deputy Area Commissioner

Am I alone in being driven to the edge of despair by the continual stream of changes, amendments , revisions, updates , and new editions pouring forth from National Headquarters? I am a firm believer in change where it is necessary , but only after careful consideration of the costs, as well as the perceived benefits , and, where administration is on a voluntary basis, one of these costs is the ever -increasing time spent on actually administering the change.

I have just received my copy of the latest St John Supplies News, from which I learn that the men s uniform jacket has been 'restyled for 1988', and that we are expected to return our jackets , together with a cheque for £7.50, for 'conversion'. I suspect that a large number of members will ignore this offer and that, as a consequence, yet another permutation of standard dress regulations will be created. I would estimate that there must now be at least thirty different approved combinations of ' uniform' items - a contradiction in terms which can only serve to confuse the public at a time when we are trying to establish a unified and professional image. It certainly confuses Brigade members!

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

I have also just finished processing the annual returns for my Area. This used to be a relatively straightforward task but it is now incredibly difficult to give a simp le yes or no to the question ' Is this member efficient? To do so one has to consult th e a m endme nts to the amendments to the r eg ulations , scrutinise qualifying footnote s with a magnifying glass, and attempt to interpret language which is both archaic and obtuse. We were promised a revised Regulation s two years ago but this has yet to materialise. I suspec t that this is because HQ staff themselves are now as confused a the rest of us.

As an FAW instructor , life is being made even more difficult. Revisions are issued , revising paragraphs omitted by the previo us revisions; Course Regulations change with the seasons; and AIDS is either so important that it merits a whole page in the FA W course book , or so insignificant that it doesn't even rate a mention in the First Aid Manual. Again we were told that the inconsistencies between the texts wo uld be sorted out when the new editions were published . I now understand that yet another review of ranks and command structure is taking place. We are told that we must change with the times that economic and social influences demand radical reappraisal. There have been many reasons put forward for our declining numbers I would contend that we are losing officers, I at an increasing rate, simp ly because they are being overwhelmed by the administrative load being placed upon them by this obsession with change for its own sake If head qu arters REALLY want to help the hard-pre ssed divisional superintendents they could do no better than to issue a firm promise that no changes to Regulations will be made for at least one year. The co ll ective sigh of relief would reach gale proportions.

Let's CONSOLIDATE in '88 !

North Bedfordshire

MOUTH- TO-MOUTH

Stephen Nicholsoll

from Mr M. H. Green, Divisional Superintendent

I think most of us consider mouth -to -mouth ventilation to be a modern method of resuscitation, but as th e report in t h e Hampshire Chronicle for January 15 1988 shows, quoting from their issue of January 15, 1838, it is at leas t 150 years old. The incident took place in London.

Winchester

M. H. Broll'lI

'A youth named Henry Rice, having fallen into the basin, CiO Road, a quarter of an hour elapsed before he could be got out. The boy was conveyed to the Wenlock Arms, and two surgeoliS immediately attended, who, after an hour's exertion, were unsUC' cessful in their attempts to restore the youth to life. A drunken mall in the tap room, waking from his sleep, and hearing thai the medical men had failed in their attempts , staggered into the rOO I1l and said he could restore the boy and applying his mouth to that of the youth (at the same time including the nostrils), and by strOllg suction, as if drawing the breath from the patient, actually rell O vated the lad in a few minutes, to the astonishment of all This was the ninth person whom this individual had restored to life in a similar manner. '

THE PROFESSIONALS from James M. Stewart, ex-FICAP

I retired from active service with the Brigade last October, having completed 50 years' service. Looking back over the years I think I can claim to be one of the first ' professional ambulancemen' and wonder how many of us are left.

I started my Ambulance Service career during the last war as a volunteer attendant on a Feltham District Council ambulance which was manned by a driver employed by the Council. When there was a call for the ambulance, he was summoned from home by telephone if he was not at the Fire Station where the ambulance was kept.

He had to rely on help from bystanders or relatives at the scene. Then a member of the Civil Defence stretcher party was detailed to act as attendant when the ambulance was required. As a St John Ambulance Brigade member in the Military Ho spita l Service Reserve , I was called up for service with the RAMC at Queen Alexandra 's Military Hospital, Millbank, London but was soon discharged on medical grounds so I joined the Civil Defence Stretcher Party Service in Feltham, to become attendant on the Council's ambulance.

After the war I remained with the Feltham Council as their first full-time paid attendant.

During the 1940s, a group of us local authority ambulancemen from various parts of the country decided that ambulance work should be regarded as a professional job , such as nursing , and that members should be trained and treated as professionals At that time ambulance work was regarded as unskill e d labour such as dustmen and road sweepers , and the ambulance was often sent out with men who had no knowledge of even basic first aid.

This group of pioneers enlisted the aid of doctor s and other medical men who were sympathetic to the cause to assist in training and soon the ' Institute of Certified Ambulance Personnel was formed with headquarters in Cheapside, London. Courses in advanced ambulance methods etc, were arranged , and so me hospitals helped by arranging courses on Emergency obstetrics, Anatomy , Physiology etc. The Institute had its own monthly magazine called Ambulance, which kept members up to date with news and the progress of the Institute

Along with colleagues from the area - Feltham , Heston and Isleworth, and Twickenham -I attended courses at West Middlesex Hospital Isleworth.

In October 1949 several of us sat for the preliminary examination' in London , which was conducted by doctors and cons.isted of written papers on Anatomy (Ph hrs) Physiolog y a nd Hygiene (1 1J2 hrs) On passing the examination, we were entitled to call ourselves Associate Members of the Institute of Certified Ambulance Personnel (AICAP). In October 1950, we attended the final examination in London, which consisted of a written paper, lasting 2 hours , and a practical test of about 1 Y2 hours. On passing this examination, we were entitled to call ourselves Fellows of The Institute of Certified Ambulance Personnel (FIeAP).

After months of campaigning by the Institute and unions , the were eventually recognised by the authorities for the gra.ntlOg of proficiency pay to the holders . Thus the move towards tramed ambulance crews began

As county councils took over the responsibility of running services, and started their own training schemes , the Institute gradually became defunct.

I served with the Middlesex County Ambulance Service (now part of LAS) for just over 20 years, during which I delivered or h.e lped to deliver 20 babies either in the ambulance and other My training with the Institute proved very useful. S unng my ambulance service, I also, of course, carried out my John duties.

I often wonder how many of the old members of the Institute I think we can say that we were the pioneers of today's raining of ambulance personnel.

8 Attlee House , High Street, Feltham, Middx. Jam es M. Stewart

Greater

(Above) Salford's Home Nursing team winners (Right) N/Ms Lyn Standr ng and Sally Wilshire, of Sale , were the overall team winners.

Manchester SWArea competitions held on Feb 21

(Right) Overal team individual Nursing Cadets from Sale Division (Below) And again Sale

team!

Cadet winners

(Left) Overall team/individual winners, Sale s D S Bill Nolan and N/M Chris Waring (Above) Individual Nursing winner, Sale's Sgt Barbara Bleeker

NEWS from SCOTLAND

child ren in Welsh schools (and two lives saved) have earnt first aid from SJA Wales Now Brit ish Telecom has donated 300 telephones to the project - one for each school tak ng part - so that chi dren can practice making phone calls during the One Cross Award course Photo Bail ey Newspapers)

processed from the Cha ncery to th e place in the Canongate wher e the cross is situated. When all were assembled the Prior unveiled the plaque and the Prelate dedica ted the cross.

D/Supt Jim M cA llister and members of Clifton Division, Belfast, were met by Alderman Coggle Deputy Lord M ayo r, at the conclusion of their bed push at Belfast City Hall. Th ey were raising funds for an ambulance

OVERSEAS

Cyprus

IN A small ceremony in the village of Avgorou , n ear the tourist centre of Ayia Na pa the Minister of Health Dr Pelecano s, presented certificates to 31 yo ung men and women who had succes sfu ll y completed a first aid course. Present were the vill age authorities , Corps Supt Famagusta Area , Mr Nicos Zodhiates BEM , the Cyprus Commissioner of Civil Defence the Chief Constable of Famagusta and members of the constabul ary.

After the ceremony , the yo un g people , with St John and Civil Defence members, donated 60 litr es of blood to Famagusta Hospital.

New Zealand

ST JOHN in the Waikato Region has sta rted a ne w programme called Healthy Aging It is de sign ed to give ageing New Zealanders an und erstandi n g of how to reach th e be st h ealth and so maintain a life style which satisfies physical , social, intellectual and spiritual needs The programm e was launched by St John in Canada in 1973 and was so successful it has expanded nation wide.

In New Zeal and, Harmen Van Weerden , b ase d in Hamilton , has been appointed the senior Health Care Instructor. Hannen h as a background in nursing and working with the terminally ill and will establish t h e programme in the

In Cyprus, 3 1 young men and women received SJA certificates from the Minister of Health.

Waikato , then expand it to other parts of the country, with the help of Carol Simmons , who is based in Tauranga.

The launching ceremony was held February 24 under th e direction of the Project Manager , Dr Rex Wright-St Clair , KStJ , with 40 guests attending.

Speakers were the Mayor of Hamilton Ross Jansen , the Chancellor Dr Jack Watt, the High Commissioner for Canada, A. Douglas Smail , the Opposition Spokesman for Health, Don McKinnon and Peter Dunne , Under Secretary for Health.

Generous financial support has been given by the Sutherland Self Help Trust Board (Inc), which has also enabled the purchase of two vehicles.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

The Keith Joseph Welfare Cup Competition 1988

MA Y I remind all Divisions entering the above competition for 1988, which started on December 11987 , that by now you should have sent to your County Commissioner a short written statement setting out in clear details yo ur plans for developing your project.

A Healthy Aging project is launched in New Zealand by {left)

Dr Rex Wright-St Clair and Harmen Van Weerden, the senior health care inSbuctor

You should follow this up by sending your Commissioner by November 11988 at the latest a detailed report of the development of the project throughout the whole period of the eleven months The report should explain , with reasons , any major change of plan during the course of the project. It should also indicate the extent to which various categories of the members of the 'caring team became actively involved in the project. If the project involved expenditure, the report should account for the expenditure and state how the money was raised.

Full details for the competition were sent to counties at the end of August 1987.

Jeanne Mercer Chief Welfare Officer

News from Divisions/Centres

OBlliUARY

Alice Elizabeth Alford, 88, joined Brigade in 1933, retired in 1971 as Area Su perintendent, Hampshire Central, MBE in 1947 , Commander of the Order 1976. Died December 111987.

Norman George Crossley, MBE, KStJ, late ly Commissioner, Lancashire, who joined the Brigade in Preston in 1935. Sergeant in 1949, Divisiona l Superintendent in 1955, District Staff Officer in 1958, Area Commissioner in 1975, Deputy Co u nty Commissioner in 1979, County Commissioner 1984--1987. At his

n eral on January 27 1988 SJ A Lancashire stood still as hundreds of members gathered at St James's Church, Lostock Hall to say au revoir.

Mrs Ruth Ivy Timmis, who joined the Brigade in 1933 and served in Essex u ntil 1975 when she moved to Cambridgeshire, County Staff Officer. Commander of the Order. Died February 4.

lilot mov e him until the affected part has beem. eff e ctive ly immobilised, unless life is in danger. The casualty should be made cQNlfor tabl e and protected from the cold. '['his is th e treatment of choice and can be aFTa nge d wh ere there is an efficient ambula n ce serv ice and in most industrial situ at ions. The fracture will be immobilised by the ambulance crew using speci al spl ints, loaded straight on to the ambul an ce stretcher so that double handlin g, wi thout probable further injury , is avoided.

The second circumstance is when the cas u alty with a fractured limb has to be move d before the arrival of the ambulance. Here it is essentia l for the first-aider to stea dy a nd support the fractured limb with one h a nd above and one hand below the site of fract ur e, and hold on to it , until it is effective ly immobilised by using the other leg or the trunk as a splint. Generous pa dd ing is desirable. Occasionally, if a frac tured limb is bent or angled, it is pe rm issi b le to pull the limb straight by appl ying traction very gently, in the long axis of th e limb. It is important to maintain tr ac ti o n u ntil t h e limb is securely immob ilised. After immobilisation , the affe cted li mb should be elevated where po ssi bl e, to minimise bleeding and swelling by pro pp ing up the foot of a stretcher.

Th e thi rd circumstance arises when the fi rst- aid er is responsible for transport of the cas ua lty or when the accident occurs in remot e areas or where there is no access for an amb u lance. Here the principles of supp or tin g, immobilising and e levating the injure d lim b may be used, but splints and

CHANGES in the new MANUAL (from p. 109)

more bandages are applied to ensure a greater security of immobilisation.

Other subjects

Knee injuries have been dealt with by means of a simplified single treatment on the grounds that first-aiders cannot be expected to differentiate between a fractured patella and injuries of the cartilage or ligaments. The chapters on hypothermia and emergency child birth have been tidied up and it is hoped that they are now more easily understood by the readers. Much attention was given to the improvement of the drawings which now go some way to providing an exact illustration of the text.

The

future

The Chief Medical Officer of the Association has appointed a Review Committee to consider informed criticism of the 5th Edition of the First Aid Manual and also to keep abreast of changes in medical understanding which may influence future editions. These deliberations will in turn be discussed by the Joint Revision Committee of the three Voluntary Aid Societies so that a more structured appraisa l may be made of material for inclusion in the next edition.

We welcome constructive comments and criticism, which should be sent to the : Chief Medical Officer , St John Ambulance, 1 Grosvenor Crescent , London SWIX 7EF. We hope this advice will continue to be sent to us throughout the period to the preparation of the next edition.

Ref er ences

1 (American Heart Association) Standards and Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiac Care. JAMA 1986, Vol. 255, No. 21, (pp. 2481-3044).

2 Report of the Resuscitation Council (undated) Visit to A H A National Conference on Standards and Guideline for CP R and ECC , DALLAS , TEXAS July 11-13 1985. ,

3 B M J series ABC of Resuscitation. B MJ July 19 1986.

4 (1. Harry Baker James W. Little) The First Aid Management of Spinal Cor d Injury. 8t John Review 1987 part 1 pp. 112, 113, 120 P art 2 pp. 136 139, 141. Part 3 p p 162, 163.

5 A. Swan , D. Granby , J. R ussell et al. Co rr espondence. Spinal Cord Injury. B MJ November 30 1985- Marcb 15 1986. November 30 1985 p. 1558. January 11 1986 p. 138. February 8 1986 p. 408. February 22 1986 p . 555. March 8 1986 p. 695. B MJ 1985, Vol. 291, p. 1558.

6 B. Jennett, G. Teasdale Aspects of Coma after severe head inj u ry ' April 23 1977, p. 878 The Glasgow Coma Scale D ecember 1980. B ased on observations of 700 patients.

Block Bus er (12) ANSWERS

--ST JOHN FELLOWSHIP---

I AM GLAD to announce the formation of the first bra nch in Derbyshire (Bo lsover is used to coming first) and four other branches:

F r ome Branch, Somerset (2).

Contact Mr W. C. Small, 32 Stonewall Terrace

Frome BAll SAX.

Central London Branch (6).

Co n tact Miss E. M. Porter , S Chambers Lane

Wi ll esden Green, London NWIO 2RH.

Southend & District St John Fellowship, Essex (4).

Contact Mrs F. E. W ilson SRN, 440 Woodgrange Drive , Thorpe Bay, Essex SSI 3ED.

Chesterfield Branch, Derbyshire (1).

Con t act Mrs C lare Bowmer , 3 Villas Road, Bolsover , Chesterfield S44 6QE.

Whitby Branch, North Yorkshire (3).

Contact Miss O. Poulter

22 Meadowfields, Whitby, N. Yorks.

Annual Report, April 1 1987 - March 31 1988

It h as b een a year of grea t achievement for t h e F ellowship. Branches now total 92 Six

of these are overseas, two in Australia, two in Canada, one in Trinidad and one in Zimbabwe. It is good to know that those who have served St John throughout the Commonwealth can not only maintain their contacts in future, but also find a welcome from branches in so many countries.

The Fellowship shared in St John Ambulance Brigade Centenary celebrations in counties - and also held its own.

On May 6 1987 the Annual General Meeting took place at St James 's Palace. There was room for only 200 members from 60 branches to attend , but all felt very proud when the Lord Prior said it was a privilege to meet those who had given so much service to mankind. During the meeting members passed a warm vote of thanks to Lady Moyra Browne , our first vicechairman, on her retirement from office, and welcomed her successor, Mrs P. Rile y of Cheltenham Branch , Gloucestershire.

After the formal agenda carne the big moment when Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother joined the members for tea. Everyone had an opportunity to see The Queen Mother close to , and she spoke to many. Then at tea , six long-serving members from Cheshire, Devon , Greater Manchester, Humberside , Lincolnshire

REVIEW CROSSWORD No 5 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across :

1. Ar t eria l anastomosis at the base of the brain. (6.2.6). 10. Trial se n se (7) 11. Horticulturist's blunder? (7). 12. Impair beyond re p air. (4). 13. Rio t for three. (4). 14. Parts of eggs rich in protein

and London were invited to sit at her table. Their trepidation vanished as soon as 1'he Queen Mother arrived. It was a day of

pride and happiness , Soon after the AGM members came to London again for the Great Party in Hyd e Park. Good use was made of the chairs in the Fellowship tent, where there were many joyful reunions of old friends. It was particularly pleasant to meet overseas members there, and the stock of briefs on the Fellowship vanished rapidly in response to enquiries.

In October 1987 , the Fellowship was granted a charter approved by The Grand Prior , signifying our recognition as a per· manent branch of the Order of St John This marked an important stage in the development of the Fellowship which has been much appreciated by members

In the first quarter of 1988, eight new branches have been formed. The Fellowship looks forward to welcoming many more , until eventually all who serve Order in any capacity can join their local branch before retirement , and so never know the desolation of leaving SI John Branch reports will be published next month.

31 Malvern Court, Onslow Square , London SW7 3HY Sheila Pu ckle National Secretar

and fat. (5). 16 . Team prone to organism of syphilis. (9).18. Skin for the neck? (5). 19. Electromagnetic radiation used in diagnosis and treatment. (1-4). 2l. Defective vision with no abnormality of the eyes. (9). 24. Song for Chirstmas. (5). 26. Foundation part of the skull. (4). 27. Small particles of stone giving firmness of character. (4).29. Shaft of solar radiation. (7). 30. Give excessive praise. (7) 31. First effective drug in fight against bacterial infection. (14).

Down:

2. Form a mental concept. (7). 3. Mental process (4). 4. Become congested with blood. (7). 5. Benign tumour of connective tissue (7). 6. Material from tusk or in plant. (5). 7. Thin plate of bone has all male ingredients. (7). 8. Insidious bone injury common in sportsmen after excessive exercise. (6.8).9. Endocrine over activity characterised by high basal metabolic rate. (14). 15 Bungle a protuberance of bone. (4). 17. Act in dumb show for beer. (3).18 Infection of eyelid from moist yeast. (4). 20. Glands situated on upper pole of kidneys. (7). 2l. Protein of blood , milk , and whiteo! eggs. (7). 22. Shy - due to a surfeit of heavy blows? (7). 23. Doa trip for salivary gland. (7).25. Out-dated method of taking blood (5).28 Soothing aromatic application. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.4 (88)

Across: 1. Case-book; 5. Nausea; 10. Autopsy; 11. English; 12. Posed; 13. Tone; 14. Feel; 16. Miotic; 18. Amylase ; 21. Abdomen ; 23 Attack; 25 Sage; 27. Burr; 28. Taste; 30. Trachea ; 3l. CariouS; 32. Retina ; 33. Dewy-eyed.

Down: 1. Cr·a·mps; 2. Satisfied; 3. Biped; 4 Oxyntic; 6. Alga ; 7 Spine; 8. Achilles; 9. Hernia; 15. Cy·st; 17. To·mb; 19. Accessory; 20. M·ass·eter; 22. Neural; 23 . Auricle; 24. Tensed ; 26. Graft; 28 Tardy; 29. Chin.

YOUTH GROUP MMERCAMPS 1989

10 DAY TOURS TO AUSTRIA- FRANCE ITALY & NORWAY

What about a trip to a foreign country to add an extra dimension to your training? Enjoy our sports facilities, mountain walks and climbs plus various excursions. By using our savings card system over the next year you could be in Austria, France, Italy or Norway next summer. Talk to your friends and ask your divisional superintendant to write for our 1989 brochure which will be out soon!

ATTENTION ALL DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDANTS .

Inspection Tour to Austria depart 26 May 1988 return 30 May 1988 pick ups Manchest@r, Birmingham, London and Dover. This tour gives group leaders the opportunity to visirt our centres in the Lech Valley, to sample some of the excursions and many other activities that are available and to see first hand what an excellent proiramme we provide for youth groups. When thinking about your 1989 tour remember to discuss the possibility of providing your group with first aid and rescue situations staged in a mountain environment write for details or phone 021-456 1501.

TJOHN REV lEW

StJohn National i Raffle \ 1988

The following messages of greetings on the occasion of the Centenary of the granting of the Royal Charter have been received from our Sovereign Head and Grand Prior

Received from Buckingham Palace

The Lord Grey ofNaunton , GCMG , GCVO OBE The Lord Prior , The Order of St John of Jerusalem.

LAST YEAR the tremendous sum of £90,000 was raised by the St John National Raffle! This year it is hoped that much , much more money will be raised by this marvellous fund-raising event. But , mo st important of all- counties keep ALL proceeds from ticket sales!

The raffle will again be run from National Headquarter s and tick e ts , which will be available from June , are 50p each and available in books often.

Again , the raffle organisers wish to strongly reiterate their plea that counties and divisions should not request more ticket s than the y are certain to sell. This is because the Gaming Board for Great Britain places a strict limit on the number of raffle tickets that may be print ed , and we have to restrict the number of raffle ticket s we to any county or division in order that everyone gets the chance to participate in this fund-raising event. Sadly , last year bundle s of unsold tickets were returned to HQ just day s before the draw, while we knew that elsewhere in the country divisions were desperate for more to sell.

If a county wishes to organise the raffle for their divisions (ie th e County HQ orders the raffle tickets and posters on behalf of their various divisions and distributes them) this is so mething the organisers would welcome with enthusiasm as it would certainly h e lp them enormously.

The draw will take place at National Headquarters in Grosven or Crescent on the morning of Wednesday , December 7 and below is a lis of prizes to date

1st Prize - Ford Fiesta 1100 Popular Plus 'F' R egis tration model in white. By generous arra ngement with Ford Motor Com pan y Ltd.

2nd Prize - Weekend Break for Two in Paris Including fli ght and accommodation in two or three star hot el wi lh private facilities and co ntin en tal breakfast. Leaving London Fri day evening and returning Sunday eve ning. Dates s ubj ect to availability. Generously donated by Clermont Travel Ltd.

3rd Prize - FlylDrive Weekend to France Including flight and car but no accom m odatio n Leaving London on Friday and return on Monday. Dates s ubj ect to ava il abili t y. Generou Iy donated by C lermo nt Travel Ltd.

4th Prize - Colour Television Set 14 in. portable colour television. Generously donated by Greenh am Video , part of Greenham Trading Ltd Isleworth , Middlesex. Pl ease contac t Miss Dawn Bennett with a ll you r reque ts for ra ffle ticket s and po s t ers a nd a ny further in for m a tion yo u may require at: Centenary Appeal Department, The Order of St John , 1 Grosv enor Crescent London SW1X 7EF. Telephone (01)-235-5231.

PR Message of the Month

1. CAN St fohn carry on without public support?

NO! The future of St John depends entirely on the generosity of the public we serve. Without this support, we cannot buy the ambulances and medical equipment essential to provide the care expected.

2. Is this medical equipment expensive?

A fully-equipped mobile unit costs £45,000, and an ambulance around £25,000 a stlietcher trolley at least £600, and a cellular blanket £20 - just a few of the items required by St John divisions all around the country.

in both manpower and money we can look forward to a bri ght future in which we can continue to play what h as become not just a desirable but essential p ar t in the life of our country and of man y countries overseas'.

St John Week is the golden opportunity - let's make use of it!

Publicity Material for St John Week

Car Stickers

Four car stickers have been designed for us e from St John Week onwards (see page 131). An initial stock will be distributed free of charge to County Offices in mid-June and further s uppli es will then be available at a small cost from th e Supplies Department.

I warmly thank you and all members of the Council of the Order of St John of Jerusalem for your kind message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of the Centenary of the Grant of the Charter incorporating the Grand Priory of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England. As Sovereign Head of the Order, I was delighted to receive this message and send my very best wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R. 14 May , 1988.

ST JOHN WEEK 24 June to 3 July 1988

Do make maximum use of this time to really bring St John to the public attention. Let us all work together to get the message ac ross - St John is here, is effective, is working tirelessly in the local community! BUT needs help , in the words of General Leuchars, SJA Chief Commander: 'With continued support from the public ,

Please do not u se them until St John Week (June 24 to July 3)we will then make a great impact as they are see n on vehicles of all kinds up and down the country! The designs a r e s hown on page 131Flagday Posters

An A4 size poster suitable for publicising :f\agdays bas been produoed and distributed to County Offices free of charge. Furth er supplies are available from the PR D e p a rtm e nt at National J-lQ. The ba sic po ste r is also available with a blank box for lo ca l d etails.

Received from Kensington Palace

To mark the Centenary of the Royal Charter granted to the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem by Queen Victoria which fell due on 14 May, I would like to send a message to all who work for the sick and injured under the banner of St John wherever they may be During my journeys abroad a nd at home , I am constantly reminded of the importance of the compassionate work of my brothers and sisters united in the cause of St John in the modern world Wherever I meet them I am inspired by their devotion and cheerfulness in the face , often of difficult and inclement cond iti ons , and indeed danger. It is instructive to recaLl tbe words used in the Charter which are still relevant that (among other things) the objects and purposes of the Order were the encouragement and promotion of all works of humanity and charity in the relief of sickness, distress, suffering and danger without distinction of nationality or creed ' ; special reference to the 'sick poor was included These aims are mainly achieved through St John Ambulance and the St John Ophthalmic Hospital. Many advances have come about in the 100 years since the granting of the Charter. Notab e among these is the e stablishment of Priories , Commanderies and Councils overseas, and the spread of the influence of St John to all con tin ents. These developments are a matter of great satisfaction and pride. It is of particular interest to me to see the work of St John in

at the Grand Priory Church, Clerkenwell on April 28 - and flanked by (left) The Lord Vestey instatled as Chancellor, and The Lord Westbury who became Bai liff of Egle

Lord Prior installed p.122

Year of the Special Centres p.122

Association Membership Scheme p.123

The Centenary Appeal p.124

Holiday Duty p.126

World of St John p.128

8t John Ophthalmic Hospital p.132

Life atthe Hospital today p.134

:rice 85p a copy. Subscriptions £12 00 per annum, £15.00 outside UK

Including postage , from Review Sales , Wood Cottage, High Corner , Butley, Nr Woodbridge , Suffolk tP12 3QF Tel : Orford (0394) 450548

EDITORIAL

Edited and produced for the Order of St John by Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Nr Woodb ridge, Suffolk IP12 3QF. Phone : Orford (0394) 450548. Editor: Frank Driscoll.

ADVERTISEMENT Manager: Sheila Merrett Media Sales , 14 80xgrove Gardens 80gno.r Regis, W. Susse x P021 488. Phone 0243 265198.

Ambulance encourages

A day in the Clinic at Rafah p.136

Supplies Update p.137

Letters - Caring for the Carers p.138

Schools Project p.139

News from Wales - N. Ireland - Overseas p.140

8t John Fellowship p 141

News from Divisions/ Centres p.142

Care in the Community p.144

Contributions

is tl1e 1st of the month preceding the cover date.

and

Press

WHEN THE distinguished Lord Grey of Naunton was installed as Lord Prior of the Order of St John by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the Order, on Thursday, April 28, in the Grand Priory Church, Clerkenwell, it was noted by many that after 55 years of public service Lord Grey is determined to set us all a brilliant example of continuous and wise endeavour.

HM The Queen, Sovereign Head of the Order of St John, has approved the appointment of Lord Grey as Lord Prior,

ASSOCIATION

Lord Prior installed

Lord Grey of Naunt0n

The Lord Grey of Naunton kneels before HRH The Duke of Gloucester during the ceremony of installation as Lord

Lord Vestey as Chancellor of the Order and Lord Westbury as Bailiff of Egle.

Lord Grey may well be reminded of one of his predecessors, Sir Robert Hales, who besides being Prior was also the nation's treasurer during the time of a previous poll tax. The poll tax bill, now about to make its progress through the House of Lords, resulted in some uproar in the Commons. But that upset is trifling compared with the rebellion caused by the poll tax of the 14th century. In 1381 spontaneous insurrections broke

Year of the Special Centres

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL designated 1988 as the Year of the Special Centres, so a Special Centres' Seminar was held at Nottingham University on March 25/26.

This was in fact the second such event to be held nationally , the first being in Exeter in 1987. This year's seminar was well attended by both Special Centre representatives and County Association members.

Delegates were invited to an official reception on the Friday evening, followed by dinner , at which were the Chairman of Nottingham Council and his wife, and the SJA Commander Notts, John Carter and his wife. The Director-General thanked representatives for attending and made an enjoyable after-dinneli speech which set the mood of the entire seminar.

Saturday was devoted to syndicates investigating and trying to answer the many questions which require immediate attention on closer liaison between Special

Centres and St John Ambulance. This seminar procedure, of discussion , was at the direct request of Special Centre delegates at the 1987 event. It proved very successful and illuminating, and showed that there is still an unacceptable gap between the two organisations.

The value of Special Centres to St John Ambulance cannot be over-emphasised because of our common joint aims and objectives, the availability of Special Centre instructors to augment those of St John Ambulance Association , and the funds generated by Special Centres in fees and the purchase of supplies. The Special Centres are strong supporters of St John Ambulance and perform a valuable service in using our certificates for their members. Their national competitions offer exce ll ent public relations and publicity opportunities which well serve St John Ambulance.

All these points were made and discussed either during the seminar or among delegates. It was very evident that

out - the Peasants ' Revolt. Wat Tyler was a leading rebel in London. But when the peasants stormed the Priory at St John's Gate, Sir Robert Hales and the Arch· bishop of Canterbury fled to the Tower of London , but the mob caught up to behead them on Tower Green t1 i1J'UJ-.a

Today , we wish our new Lord Prior of the Order a quieter tenure. Lord Grey , a New Zealand lawyer who became a distin· guished figure in the colonial service , was Governor of British Guyana , 1959-64, and Governor of the Bahamas , 1964-68. He was Governor of Northern Ireland , 1968-73 and chairman of th e Common· wealth Development Corporation 1979-80. Lord Grey is currently Chan· cellor of the University o f Ulster and has been connected with th e Order of St John for some time as Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards (N. Ireland ), 1968-76 and latterly as Chancellor.

there is much that we can do to br in! Special Centres and ourselve s closer. National HQ will shortly b e sending count) directors a list of Special Centre contacts based nearest to thei r county HQ , and hoped that this will result in impro ved I liaison and co-operation.

It was requested that Special Ce ntres contribute more articles and photographs to the St John R e vi e w about their teachin g and training programmes , and nation al competitions.

There was considerable construc tive criticism and particular attention was given to the many good ideas that came from the floor. These will be incorporated in a pl an to be sent to county directors. The more important matters were:

How to improve future seminars

The need to produce formal guidelines for assessors and instructors.

Ways in which Special Centres an d County Associations can liaise and work together.

The need to produce a 12- month trmn ' ing programme to maint31 n standards.

The need to produce a 24-hour course for requalification of instructors

The possibility of re-organising some Special Centres with a direct link 10 HSE.

New Leader also for SMOM

ON APRIL 11 the election of an Englishman Fra Andrew Bertie, of Crawley, as the new Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta was announced from Rome.

The Sovereign Order is the direct descendent of the Knights of Malta and is a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. The relationship between our Most Venerable Order and the Sovereign Military Order is defined by a joint declaration first signed in 1963 and reaffirmed in 1983 :

The relationship, which exists between the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem , of Rhodes and of Malta and the Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem , is not always clearly understood , and it is to dispel any misconceptions which may exist that this statement is being made.

A dispute, long since relegated to the realms of academic discussion as to whether the Most Venerable Order was the lineal descendent of the old Grand Priory of the Sovereign Order , at one time caused division amongst those concerned with such questions. Certain it is that the Most Venerable Order

All these questions were competently handled by each syndicate spokesman and the ensuing discussions were useful in obtaining a clear impression of current thinking.

The seminar, because of its unique nature , included only one formal presentation, which was by Mr Cullen of the HSE , who spoke in general terms about first aid and responsibilities of his Organisation

The Chief Commander Major-General Peter Leuchars , expressing his enthusiasm for the seminar , said he found it most interesting and he wa s glad he attended.

Mr Robert Balchin , the DirectorGeneral closed the seminar with a plea to all to strive for a much closer working relationship , as we all rely on the joint efforts to improve and maintain standards of training and the issuing of St John Ambulance FA W certificates. Although there is still much to be done , he was confident that this seminar had gone a long way to resolving many problems. For the future , an equal input from everyone is required to achieve our goal.

M. J. Malcolm Deputy Director-General

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP SCHEME

CONTACT MUST BE RETAINED WITH THOSE ON COURSES

EACH YEAR large numbers of the general public attend First Aid at Work and Public First Aid courses held by St J olm Ambulance at centres throughout this COuntry. For a while these people have very close links with this organisation and other. The vast majority thoroughly enJoy these courses and find them more :ha? Worth while - including some sent by heIr employers who attend rather reluc-

Fra ANDREW BERTIE FROM CRAWLEY IS ELECTED

acquired a completely independent existence when it was granted a Royal Charter by Her Majesty Queen Victoria , who became its Sovereign Head.

Since this time the Most Venerable Order has pursued the s ame high ideal s of charity , especially to the poor and sick , which were the very cause of the foundation of the Sovereign Order nearly one thousand years ago It will be easy to understand , therefore, why two great Orders , respecting the same traditions , pursuing the same ideals , serving the same cause and wearing the same famous eight pointed cross , should have the greatest respect and esteem for each other. It is our great happiness to declare that such a relationship does truly exist , and it is the dearest wish of both Orders , to seek ever more ways in which they can collaborate , to promote God 's glory and to alleviate the sufferings and miseries of mank ind .'

Signed b y :

The Lord Prior of the Most Venerable Order

The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order supporters , by fostering a continuing interest and involvement in first aid among its members. We are hoping that this will result in their returning regularly to St John Ambulance to requality. And very importantly in the long term it may also lead to some considering a serious involvement in Brigade activities.

The scheme is intended to appeal to those men and women who have successfully taken either an FA W or PFA examination through a St John AmbulanCe training course. Its basic objective is to maintain the link which was originally established with these people , by ' keeping in touch' regularly. To attract people to join the scheme we have incorporated a number of tangible benefits which some earlier market research showed to be of particular interest to those who have attended First Aid Training Courses. These benefits include:

tantly and so may well be apathetic in the beginning. Our problem is that once the training courses are completed and the successful students have been presented with their certificates, each goes his or her own separate way and regrettably this contact is effectively lost - frequently for ever.

The St John Ambulance Membership Scheme has been designed to help overcome this loss of these potential long-term

(a) Public liability insurance cover against claims for damages for accidental injury to any person , or accidental damage to property belonging to a member of the public and which arises as a result of rendering first aid. This cover is linked to the holding of a suitable valid St John Ambulance First Aid Certificate.

Continued overleaf

The Order of St John and the Peasants' Revolt, 1381. The burning of St John s monastery near Smithfield, by Wat Tyler's mob

Progress Report

The CENTENARY APPEAL

Suffolk £80 ,000 £17 ,8 00

(d) The opportunity, in many regions , to attend evening meetings which are held from time to time. These meetings are intended to provide opportunities for the practice of acquired skills learning new ones , as well as the updating of knowledge in relation to the latest developments and thinking on first aid.

To join the scheme it is necessary only to complete a simple membership application form and forward to the Secretary Association , 1 Grosvenor Crescent , London SW1X 7EF, together with a subscription of £4 for one year, or £12 for three years (to line up with the validity period of our First Aid Certificates) Payment m a y be by cheque or credit card.

Membership is , of course, entirely voluntary and anyone who holds a St John

*Although the St John Ophthalnllc Hospita l regularl y receives donation s from the cou oties , Shropshire is the first county t o gi ve a generous donation towards H ea dqu arters! London District 's fund-raising efforts. They have donated £1,250 to be divided betw ee n the H ea dquarters/London Di strict Centen ary App ea l and the St John Ophthalmic Hospital Appeal launched this year.

Ambulance First Aid at Work or Public First Aid certificate is eligible to join. The scheme offers excellent va lue for money compared with others available on the market. The scheme wa s launch e d at the end of November 19 87 and we alre ady have many members We need still more and it is a matter for everyone who b elongs to St John Ambulance and h as it s best interests at heart, that they should encourage every student who qualifies as a firstaider with us to join. It is vitally impo rtan t to the future of our organisation that we maintain our links with those we have taught to ensure that they come back time and time again to St John to requali fy. So please help!

L. R. Gibbons Secretary Association

CENTENARY APPEAL

Snooker

SNOOKE R CHAMPIONS Den nis Taylor and Steve Davis gave a n exhibition mat ch (of how to play th at game) for St John at London s Hilton Hotel during February. The playe rs gave their services free of charge and their involvement in the eve nt was genero usl y arranged by their manager, Barry Hearn.

This HeadquarterslLondon District event raised over £60,000 fo r the Brigade's Centenary Appea l. Four hundred men paid £100 each to attend the event, which not only included a first class dinner an d exhibition match but also an a u ction and £5 note raffle.

Among the a uction lo ts were two ca rs a Fi esta 1100 Ghia an d a Maestro 1.3 Mayfair, which raised in th e region of £8; 000 each; plus six hours of professional snooker tuition with the rest of B arry Hearn s 'la ds '; two magnificent bronzesone of which was donated b y James Osborne (who regularly donate s bronzes towards the Ann ual Ball auction); sign ed

footballs from six First Division teams; plus a B alth azar of Champ agne (equivalent to 16 b ottles) signed by Denis Thatcher. The auction itseLf raised over £39 000 to wards the total. The evenin g was such a success it is hoped to organise ano th er, if we can persuade B arry Hearn to allo w his stars to play for their dinn er again!

No. 10 reception

On March 28 , the Prime Minis t er hosted a reception in aid of the St John Ambulance Brigade Headquarters/London District Centenary Appeal at No. 10 D owning Street. Two hundr e d gu ests paid £100 each to attend. The Chief President, Mrs Harold Phillips, is pictured below shaking h ands with the Prime Minister. During the reception the Prime Minister app l auded th e work of the B riga d e and praised the nature of the work undertaken by St John members and th e great contribution they make to the community_

Fund-raising news

All present found it extremely encouraging to have such recognition for St John s work.

Future events

Gift of Sight Luncheon at the Savoy HotelTuesday, May 31. In aid of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital and organised by the Appeals Department and the Ladies Guild. It is hoped to raise a net profit of £20 ,000 for the hospital. HRH The Princess Alice , Duchess of Gloucester , will be hostess and Her Majest y Queen Noor Al Hussein will be guest of honour.

A Midsummer Evening at Blenheim Palace - Friday June 17. A banquet and entertainments for 300 people at £300 each Please contact the Appeals office for further details on 01 - 2355231 We hope to raise £65 ,000 net profit for the Brigade s Centenary Appeal.

No. 10

SJA s Chief President Mrs Harold Phillips, is we comed at No 10 Down ng Street by he Prime Minister for the centenary appeal reception.

Kirov Ballet performances - on July 25 and August 13. Premier performance on July 25 at the London Coliseum HRH The P rincess Margaret Countess of Snowdon , wil l be present. Final (end 6f tour ) performance on August 13 at the Ro y al Opera House. Both performances are sponsored by American Express and we hope through ticket sales to raise £50 ,000 net profit for the Brigade s Centenary Appeal. Please contact the Appeals office if you are interested in tickets ; to date prices are not confirmed but they will be in the region o f £50 - £100

St John Annual Ball - Wednesday, December 7. At the Hotel InterContinental in aid of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital. Tickets will be on sa l e from August , price to be confirmed Her Majesty , Queen Noor Al Hussein will be gu est of honour. Contact the Appeals D epartm ent in Aug ust/September for further details abo ut tickets.

Steve Davis (right) with TV sports comme ntator Dickie Davies

Denn is Taylor (right) with Lord Westbury, the

wly appointed Bailiff of Egle of the Order.

HOLIDAY COVER

While millions of holidaymakers head for our coasts, SJA members have more and more duties to cover

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID MERRITT

DURING the summer Southend in Essex is inundated with visitors. Not only is it the traditional day outing for London s East End , but it also attracts holidaymakers from all over the country.

To provide first-aid cover along the several miles of seafront , St John Ambulance mans first-aid posts at Shoeburyness, at the eastern end, opposite the Kursaal, near the Pier and at the western end, opposite the Cliffs Pavilion. The post opposite the Kursaal is in fact a mobile unit. The others are St John huts of various sizes.

Every weekend throughout the summer members are in attendance. The type of casualties encountered vary considerably. Everything from sand behind contact lenses to jeUyfish stings have been dealt with. An attractive young lady once asked to have her sunburn treated, and then promptly carried on sunbathing! During special events , such as carnival week , the Southend Nursing and Ambulance Divisions are really tested.

Maintaining sufficient trained members to meet this enormous commitment is not easy , and recently a display in Southend's Central Library did much to boost recruiting. Th e display needed members to be present throughout to liaise with the public. This in itself added to the time members spent on duty.

South end Nursing Division and Southend Ambulance Division, at times assisted by other divisions in the area , provide a superb service along the seafront.

The flag is ying (above) at Westcliffe First A id Post, with cadets Ric hard Hewitt and Michael O Connor, both of Leigh-on-Sea Division. While (below) 0 0 Janet Foster and N/M Susan Bo x prepare the post at Shoebury Common

On Shoebury foreshore (below), Rebecca Welch watc hes over beach activities

On the water front - Roger Webber ' s patch

Patrolling Shoebury Esplanade -while others relax - are SJA s Rita Murrell and Thelma Kingsbury , Southend Nursing Div s superintendent.

A display (below) at Southend's Library boosted recruiting. And (below right) an ambulance and crew stands by at Shoebury

St. John Ambulance

The World of St John The World of St John The World of St John The

World of St John

Show Biz help

Lord Astor of Hever, chairman of the St John Council for Kent, has enlisted show business personalities Gloria Hunniford and Adam Faith, and Mrs Minnie Churchill, wife of Mr Winston Churchill MP, as members of the Council. The photograph (right) taken at a press conference held at Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent, shows (1 to r) Mrs Lindy Leschallas, County President; Lord Astor of Hever; Mrs Winston Churchill; Miss Audrey Emerton, County Commissioner; Mrs Lesbia Shaw, Secretary ; Gloria Hunniford and Adam Faith.

Marathon First Aid

'We'll help you to get there,' was the message for London Marathon runners from London's SJA Commissioner, John Gerrard.

LOOKING AHEAD

Jun 5: Fund-raising event in Posidonia , nr Athens.

Jun 16: Fire Services Nat. F.A. Competition, Moreton-in-Marsh.

Jun 17: Blenheim Palace (fund-raising event).

Jun 23-27: J.U.H. Germany CSO plus 5 Cadets from Ken t.

Jun 24: Grand Prior's Reception, St James s Palace

Jun 24-July 2: St John Week.

Jun 25: 1030 General Assembly, Mansion House.

' Records show that as the number of finishers of the marathon increases each year, the number of competitors calling at

our first aid posts also rises. To many , it could well be an essential ingredient to finishing the course. A couple of years ago one runner made nine visits to us on the way!'

850 SJA first-aiders - including 60 doctors and nurses - manned 25 first aid posts and 30 ambulances deployed along the 26-mile route, with special care unit s at the finish.

Training IS worth while Mrs Chris Ellis, SRN, a Leeds Centre instructor, writes: Imagine a class of eighteen-year-old students in college. One of them leaves the room a couple of times saying she feels sick. She stands up to leave , takes two steps, then falls heavily to the ground.

(Left) Two of the 100 runners in the London

raising funds for SJA, Robert Corlett and John Holland.

were

Thinking she has fainted I stroll towards her saying Keep still and Try and take some deep breaths', and Someone open a window'.

Then comes the realisation that she is not breathing. Open the airway - and she starts to breathe. What a relief. Into reo covery position - all will be well nolV Cover her with a coat - keep her warm The floor is carpeted , so no problem there Now is a good time to send a student for an ambulance.

Her breathing h as stopped agai n. But she ' s in the recovery position with her airway open! I can hardly believe it !

Reposition airway - still no b reathing. HELP! On to her back - open airwaystart mouth-to-mouth. She starts to breathe for herself qu i te quickly Carotid pulse weak but definitely present. Iota

recovery again - she might vomit; after all , she had been feeling sick all morning. 'Please don't let her be sick. '

This student stopped breathing four times before the ambulance men arrived. They were such a welcome sight. They deftly inserted an airway and took her off on a stretcher. A phone call was made to her mother. I needed a cup of hot sweet tea!

Three hours later I visited her in the local hospital. She was sitting up, feeling all right but not well. She couldn ' t remember anything The doctors thought it was a viral infection which had interfered with the respiratory centre of the brain. She had a few days off college and eventually returned to normal health.

First aid training certainly is worth while.

Prize mag

We hear that SJA Mid-Glamorgan gave a year's subscription to the Review as a prize in a competition. Malcolm Durbin of Treherbert , Rhondda, was the winner. Welcome , Malcolm!

Himalayan trek

Margaret Jones , DIS of Stourbridge NIC Division, writes :

During March , Sister Jean Horne, Christine Sorsbie a senior orthoptist from RN Hospital, Haslar , and I arrived at Heathrow Airport bound for Nepal , where we were to make a 125-mile Himalayan trek to raise funds for the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem. At the airport we were surprised to find a champagne send off for us arranged by three nurses from the Hospital. Thanks girls! Flying via Kuwait and Dubai , we eventually arrived in Delhi where we met the

Cadet Sgt Heather Reid 15, and ex-Cadet Leader now N/M Hayley Jarvis , 17, get to grips with the hose when they and nine other nursing cadets of Kingsbridge , Devon complete a fire fighting and prevention course at the local fire station (Photo: Gazette & Chronicle, Kingsbr i dge)

Boy George, Paul Young, Bungalow Bill, Andrew Satow and hundreds of other rock n rollers had great fun demolishing each other's cars at a banger racing evening at Wimbledon Stadium Here's Paul Young thanking some of our girls on duty at the event.

Mr Imre Czerencses (second from right) receives his warrant of appointment as president of Kingswood Ambulance Divis io n, Bristol from Mrs Nora Ford Area Commissioner Also (left) is Ivor Rowland vice-president and Phi li p Jefferies, divisional super intendent. (Photo: Myra Meredith).

Tough SJA girls

Having a great time! Wendy Evans with others of SJA Hereford s Vincula Group on a Territorial Army assault course The group of 15 to 25 year olds (link between cadets and adults) wh ic h meets once a month is outdoor activity orientated with plenty of action. And sometimes mud! You name it, they do it. Interested? Or are there other such SJA groups operating? Either way, contact Vincula s secretary Christine Walker on 0432 271226 to talk and compare notes

Gloria Hunniford and Adam Faith (right). and Mrs Winnie Churchill (third from left). join St John Council for Kent. See story Show Biz help.

Marathon

(Right) 850 members

on duty on the Marathon course - here are two of them at work.

The World of St John The World of St John

The World of St John

other trekkers of our party , all of whom looked much fitter than we felt!

After the wonderful flight from Delhi to Kathmandu, I was most excited to see the range of mountains ' Before setting out for them , we spent two nights at the Malla Hotel and visited all the sights of Kathmandu, praying for our safe journey at the Hindu temple.

We met Colonel Jimmy Roberts who founded MQuntain Travel , the company which organised the trek We were briefed on the trek and met the Chief Sherpa in preparation for the trip by mini-bus to Pokhara On arrival, we met the Sherpas and 50 boys and girls who were to act as porters , carrying all our luggage, tables, chairs, tents and so on!

A 3-hour walk brought us to our first camp at Sararkot. To my surprise we were already 2,000 feet high and the going was so steep! The next day we reached Kaara, 6,000 feet high, where the view of Machapuchare, the Annapurna mountain, was absolutely out of this world.

The walk continued; the scenery was

A

Other gifts for lucky 'Blondie' came from Cadets,

spectacular but the struggle was mental and physical. I developed blisters and fell into the Modi River! But the team spirit kept us going and it was at this point that we felt, with tears and sweat , we could get to the sanctuary. Knowledge of first aid was also useful.

On our sixth day we arrived at the Sanctuary Base and triumphantly planted our own home-made St John flag in deep snow, then walked on to the base camp of Mount Machapuchare, the sacred Hindu mountain.

The journey back was wonderful. We sang all the way! We were so delighted to have reached our goal. The people in the villages we passed through were very poor but seemed so content and very welcoming.

Eventually we arrived back at the hotel in Kathmandu and the most wonderful experience was a bath! What simple pleasure! After a farewell dinner , we parted from our new-found friends and returned back home very tired but mentally refreshed.

30 years teaching

So far I have raised over £1 ,600. Thank you to all the people who have supported me so far. I hope to continue my fund· raising until Christmas and still welcome contributions. Believe me , we earned every penny!

Au revoir, Arthur

During March , the Commander for Avon , Brigadier G W. Hutton, inve s ted (on behalf of the Lord Prior) Mr Arthur E. Doul with the insignia of Serving Brotber of the Order in a simple but moving ceremony in a private room of the Bri stol Royal Infirmary in front of his wife , senior Brigade officers and medical sta ff.

Mr Doul , an industrial first-aider and instructor with Association and Brigade service , had b e en ill for some time and was unable to attend the Lord Prior s investiture in London

Sadly , Mr Doul died nine days later having borne with courage and cheerful· ness the suffering of cancer for a long time.

Oxford City Division's 'all girl' (they have only one boy

is remembered by this trophy which is awarded annually to any member of the Glos Police Force for outstanding public service.

(Left) Stockport & Cheadle Quad Division's 0 0 Patricia Chow (left) and Corporal Christine Hardy took the Caring for the Sick trophy at the Greater Manchester comps. Patricia also took Best Individual cup, and become a Serv ing Sister last autumn.

farewell (carriage clock and cheque) for Ashill (Norfolk) Division's 'Blond ie' Griffen (right) on retirement from members and friends, presented by the County Commissioner, Bruce Hogg Also a tankard from area staff presented by Area Commissioner, Steve Tyrrell (left)

Badgers, secretary

Mrs Capper, of the West Mercia Police Authority, presented large cheques from 'Operation Pillowtalk' (drugs and money seized) to DIS D. Clarke (Leominster Quad Div) and 0/0

Sonya Button (Kington Cadet Div) as part of the distribution to charit ie s in the area. (Photo: T. Button).

(Right) Vivien, PC John Williams' wife, admires the Caroline Symes Memorial Bowl which John received from Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Mr Albert Pacey for his distinguished record of more than 30 years of first aid instruction. WPC Caroline Symes, who was tragically killed in a riding accident in 1977,

THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to discuss the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem without touching on the Crusades which were central to its origin.

Pope Urban II summoned the Bishops of France in November of 1095 to a council in Clermont and there he proclaimed for the first time the idea of a crusade to liberate Jerusalem from the infidels.

by Sir Stephen Miller, KCVO, MD, FRCS Hospitaller

of Knights and commoners, th e majority of whom were motivat ed by genuine idealism.

The crusaders reached Jerusal em in June 1099 and encamped round the walled city.

In July 1099 Jerusalem fell and the crusaders 'all came rejoicing and weeping from an excess of gladness in order to worship at the Sepulchre of our saviour'.

tinues to support a hospital in Jerusalem where its patients as a result of maelstrom of history are mainly of the Moslem faith, it is tempting to exp lain that this service is in part an express ion of atone ment for the s in s of our forebears!

When the crusaders entered the Old City, they found there a ho spi tal which was financed around 1050 by m erc hant s from Amalfi in Italy. They had established a hospital with St John as its Patron Saint.

The eight pointed cross which is now the logo of the Order derives from the merchants of Amalfi, who originally designed it as their distinguishing badge. The Anglican Order added an embellishment of lions and unicorn s.

This hospice was run by a monk called Gerard and h e remained in charge until his death. When news of the city ' s captur e filtered back to Europe, many wealthy European land owners made gifts of estates and money to the Hospitall e rs. The site of the original hospital is quite close to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is called the Muristan and is today marked by a suitably inscribed stone in a small garden where our Order's fl ag is hoisted at dawn each morning and lowered at dusk .

In 1113 the religious Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem was founded by a Papal Bull and it proffered enormous privileges The Master was to be elect ed without reference to higher authority The Order had powers to ordain its own priests, to collect tythes and confer its own indulgencies. The Grand Master was responsible only to the Pope

The first Master, Gerard, was wed to ideals which had a wide appeal. He taught that 'the poor and sick were the Lords and the Hospitallers their serfs under the obligation to render that devotion and reverence that secular lord s would receive from their followers

In 1120 , Gerard died. His successor was Raymond Dupuy, a stern, clever and ruthless politician. The Order was fortunate in having two founder Masters with such different and yet essential qualities - one whose ideals appea led and the other who was a disciplinarian determined to lay down rigid rules and establish an Order with clearly defined tenets The conventual life was mandatory for the Hospitallers , who accepted vows of chastity , obedience and poverty. The rule enjoine d them to dress humbly 'for our lords the poor whose servants we acknow ledge to be , go naked and meanly dressed. And shameful it would be if the serf was proud and his lord humble '.

As time went on the Order of St John had to change its character simply in order to survive. Gradually it was granted military power as an extension of its charitable interest in protecting and caring for pilgrims.

An elderly patient is examined at the hospital.

(Slide 6).

extant, with long narrow channels hewn through the cliffs leading from the basement of the building to the sea shore. These enabled the Hospitallers to escape in 1291 when Acre fell to the Saracens. This exit marked the end of the Latin Kingdom of the crusaders just 200 years after the capture of Jerusalem

of St John In the Rue De Chevalier, with the Grand Master s Palace at the top, is a series of splendid auberges, where the Knights of each of the seven tongues of the Order lived and had their sway.

Notes to go with colour slides for talks on ...

The response in Europe to the proclamation of a crusade was staggering and by the spring of 1096 Peter the Hermit was the first to be on his way with a large following 132

This expression of gladness was made following the murder of every man , woman and child of the Moslem faith in Jeru sa le m. When asked today why the Order con-

THESE NOTES can be used as a basis for talks about the Ophthalmic Hospital. Colour slides (numbered) to accompany the notes are available on loan from the Order's PR Department, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWIX7EF.

OUR HOSPITAL

(1) MOST PEOPLE know about the work of St John Ambulance but few realise that the Order of St John has another charitable foundation, the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem. (2)

(3) In 1882, on the Bethlehem road near the Jaffa Gate , the hospital for the treatment of eyes was set up continuing the caring tradition of the Knights of St John. Today, more than 100 years later, the hospital is situated in East Jerusalem and provides an invaluable service to the com-

The Hospital building was palatial, capab le at its height of caring for a thousand patients and in time it becam e so weU endowed that its standards of care and comfort were well above what was available to the pilgrims in their own hom es.

munity. It has built an enviab le reputation for treating eye disease particularly trachoma, which flourishes in the dry climate and crowded livin g conditions of the region.

(4) The 50,000 out-patients who annually find their way to the St John Ophthalmic Hospital , in the district called Sheikh Jarrah, (5) know that th ere they can ask for help regardless of their race creed, or ability to pay. Young and old, all benefiting side by side. (6) Modern techniques simple time-learned sk ills.

(7) Ophthalmic surgeons have the use of the most sophisticated equipment avaIlable. Two operating theatres are equipped to the highest standards. Surgeons utilising the latest techniques work (8) daily restoring sight and preventing blindne ss.

Every year, 5,000 operations are under-

The Moslems proved, perhaps not unnaturall y, a persistent enemy and the crusaders could only hold Jerusalem for 88 years. When one considers the long lines of communications from Europe to the Holy Land, when travel could only be made on foot, on hors eback or by sailing ship, it is little wonder that it was impossible to keep the fanatic Arab armies at bay. So the Latin Kingdom which was set up in 1099 gradually became smaller and when Jerusalem was abandoned the Hospital had to move to Acre in the north Today, the ruins of this hospital in Acre are still

taken at the Hospital. (9) Eighty beds in three wards are often filled with men women and children recuperating in the care of the thirty nursing staff.

(10) While the daily routine of cooking and cleaning continues. The unending tasks of all who care for the sick. Even the gar.dens (11) are put to use to grow fresh frUlt and vegetables Small but vital economies

(12) For the St John Ophthalmic Hospital is maintained by donors who will never see its work - never need its service. With so much to do , their generous gifts are too precious to waste.

(13) Some who desperately need care are too poor , too sick , or too handicapped to find their way to hospital. The Outreach programme has been designed to take to Such people eye-care and (14) screening to

The Order wen t first to the Castle of Kolossi, in Cyprus, for 20 years and then to Rhodes in 1310, where it remained for 200 yea rs With the occupation of Rhodes the Hospitallers became a Sovereign body exercising political rule over their own territory and in due course issuing their own coinage. The Order set about building a magnificent hospital , which is still intact, but its main function was the policing of the Mediterranean as a naval power to keep Islam in check. Rhodes today presents many historical buildings in excellent shape associated with the Order

prevent eye disease.

(15) Fully equipped vans leave Jerusalem en route for the deserts and isolated villages in and around Jerusalem , on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

(16) The recent disturbances in this area where an emergency surgical unit has been set up to cope with eye injuries, make the need for the Hospital's services greater than ever. In the first quarter (17) of 1988, a team of surgeons and nurses has been working a seven-day week to cope with the wounded and injured.

(18) But the daily costs increase. And for the hospital administration the battle to maintain its standards of excellence grow harder. Making every contribution, however small, vital to safeguard the hospital 's future.

(19) The need to invest in new . tech-

In Rhodes the Order was again confronted with a constant battle against the Turks Inevitably , the young Sultan Suleiman of Turkey gathered his forces and attacked Rhodes and on July 28 1522 he arrived with a huge army which he pitted against two or three hundred Knights, and there followed one of the famous sieges of history , which lasted for six months. On December 20 1522 , when it was obvious that the Turkish assault could not fail, the Grand Master capitulated to save the civil population from inevitable massacre.

The terms granted by the Turks were as honourable to the Order as they were to the chivalrous young Sultan The Grand

nology as it becomes available increases expenditure, but only if St John can attract the finest talent will it continue to find a role worthy of its great heritage.

(20) Men like the young American who wrote ' It is hard to imagine a similar facility in the world where an ophthalmic surgeon can (21) have the opportunity to fulfil such a great need and yet perform the work without compromising high professional standards

(22) Handing on the torch of knowledge plays a large part in the work of the Hospital. These young nurses will leave Jerusalem trained (23) to nurse, to teach and to educate.

(24) The easy course instead of expanding to meet the need , would be to cut back - accept fewer patients or richer patients. Instead we appeal for more support.

SJ OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL

Master's gallant defence against overwhelming odds gained for him well-earned renown and on the first day of 1523, the Grand Master, with the surviving religious and those of the islanders who chose to follow him, were allowed to sail out of Rhodes harbour with the honours of war. For the next seven years the Order was withQut a home.

In Malta, the Order resumed its role as the chief bulwark of ancient Christendom and proved itself an effectual check on Ottoman expansion to the West. In 1565,

Life at the Hospital today

Secretary-General reports

SIR PETER Hudson visited the hospital from April 14 to 20 1988, and here are his impressions of the situation:

Although the general atmosphere in Jerusalem is tense, with Israeli soldiers and policemen in evidence, noticeably in the Arab townships, the refugee camps and in the old city of Jerusalem, all is quiet within the hospital compound. Members of staff in every section help one another and are devoted to the cause and keen to keep the hospital in full operation.

Both staff and patients have experienced difficulty from time to time in reaching the hospital. However, the attendance of doctors, sisters and nurses together with the administration and industrial staff has been remarkably successful and consistent.

Sultan Suleiman , now the Magnificent who had driven the Hospitallers from Rhodes in 1522 , still ruled the Turkish Empire and bitterly regretted the generous terms he had given the Knights on their departure. He despatched a huge expedition against Malta, which was expected to complete once and for all the work he had begun in Rhodes 40 years earlier. General Dimitri attacked the Grand Master , Jean de la Valette. The siege lasted three months against an armada of 130 galleys , 50 sailing ships and a great fleet of trans-

The workload is uneven and both attendance at the out-patient clinic and the bed occupancy have varied considerably. For instance on the day I toured the hospital there were few outpatients (perhaps 40), the male ward had overflowed by 10 patients , the women s ward was half full and the children's ward about two-thirds full. The variance can be due to strikes , road checks or such eventualities as Ramadan.

Recently , the number of injuries attended in the hospital has grown and some 75 cases have been treated in the last six weeks .

Morale in the hospital is good , although the expatriate staff have few opportunities for travel or expeditions on their days off. No Arab shops were open during the whole of my visit and in consequence some families are suffering great hardship.

The Outreach Programme is working well and hard; the Warden had personally been to the clinic in Rafah, Gaza , three times in the last week. The team also went to Bethlehem on Monday April 18, but had no patients as a strict house curfew was being enforced and no patients could get to the site.

The Outreach teams are all working at full stretch so that for the time being research has almost ceased. In due course ,

A young child receives attention at the hospital. (Slide 18).

port with a landing force of 31 ,000. De la Valette held his island fortress and the Turks, failing lamentably and suffering great losses , had to sail away into the autumn fog leaving the Order intact.

Malta today is full of memorabilia of the Order of St John. The present parliament was the Palace of the Grand Master and within it there are murals recording the great siege of 1565, which has been so well described by ErnIe Br a dford In Malta a large hospital was built by the Hosp itallers, and it was still in use during the 1914--18 War. Following the siege of Malta , however , the remnant of the tongu e of England within the Ord e r gradually wither e d awa y.

Two hundred and thirty-thr ee years later , in 1798 , N a poleon Bonaparte seized Malta on his way to Egypt. Th e fortress of Malta was universally regard e d as the most powerful in Europe. But th e Ord er 's hi storical mission of holding th e Medi terranean against militant Islam had long Slilce become an anachroni sm and th e loyalt y of the Knights , who we re mo stl y French , had been s apped by th e di srupti ve revolution in th eir own country. The Grand Master at the time made no real preparation for the defence of Malta aDd so Napoleon carried away th e tre as ures of the Order , silver , gold and pr e cious ston es ,

investigation into hereditary blindness and diabetic cataract of the eye and oth er relat e d areas will be resum e d

We must remember to help the Hospital in any way we can

Matron Miss Pauline O'Donnell reports

PEOPLE who would normally attend the out-patient clinic with what they fe el are minor eye problems do not now take th e risk of travelling from their village or camp.

Eye injuries are commoner in this country than in the UK but recently their incidence has increased. To date (April 1988), 75 injured patients have been treated in the hospital. Of these , 32 req uired major surgery , 20 either lost an eye or the sight of an eye A further 10 have a significant reduction in vision. Many more have been treated in the clinic for th e effects of teargas. Because of curfews and strikes , patients are often unable to reach the hospital for appointments or admission . If it is known that roads will be closed, people try to come a day earlier. Closure of an area means that visitors cannot reach the hospital, which is particularly hard on children. Sometimes the roads close with little warning and people have difficulty in

5,000 patients receive major surgery every year in the hospital's two operating theatres (Slide 8). much of which still lies in one of the French ships, later by Nelson. during th.e Egyptian campaign and su?-k lil Abouklr Bay. The treasures aWalt a deep-sea explorer.

As far as England is concerned , the origins of the Order began in 1148 , in the days of the universal church, long before the Reformation, when Mr Jordan of Bricet , a feudal Lord , granted five acres in Clerkenwell to the Hospitallers and on these five acres Prior Walter built the priory of the Order , a large and .extensive building. The only parts to surVlYe today are a section o f the Church and the entrance gate . In the autumn of 1380 , Parliament chose to increase the national revenue by a heavy and unpopular poll tax (1988 beware). A strong man was needed to carry out the duties of treasurer and the post was finall y filled by the Prior of the Order of St John , Robert Hales.

In the first days of June 1381 men from Essex and from Kent marched on London under the direction of the notorious Wat Tyler. On the afternoon of Thursday June 13 the mob burst into the City and later that day attacked the Priory of St John at Clerkenwell , to which they set fire and our Prior lost his life .

By 1400 the Priory rebuilt.

In 1536 Pope Paul III issued a Bull deposing the King This of course embarrassed the Knights of the religious orders , who were staunch supporters of Papal supremacy. It was therefore impossible for the King to permit the existence in England of an Order so powerful and so highly organised unless it was prepared to renounce its loyalty to his most determined enemy. In 1540 , Parliament passed an act dis solving the Order in England

In 1546 , Henry VIII signed a document authorising demolition of the Priory Church , a copy of which is still in the archives at St John s Gate but before demolition could begin His Majesty died. Eventually , the whole of the Priory was confiscated by Queen Elizabeth I on her accession and the stones of the Priory were used to build Somerset House in the Strand. From that date St John s Gate , Clerkenwell , had a most varied career. Fortunately it was saved from demolition by the private purchase of Sir Edmund

returning home We try to help by supply- patients had gone home. Again the ing letters to the military authorities asking mosque was used to announce the presence for permission to visit children , and this of our team and 70 ophthalmic patients works if the personnel manning the arrived with 30 others suffering from variroadblocks are sympathetic ous forms of other ills , because there had been no doctor in the village for several

Out-patients/Outreach

When the West Bank and Gaza residents are unable to move , patient attendance is reduced to a trickle of Jerusalemites, with one or two West Bankers who have had the good fortune to show a hospital appointment card to a sympathetic soldier. After the restrictions are lifted the patients come to the hospital in greater numbers than normal and the out-patient department is crowded.

Because of the difficulties in travelling , the Outreach teams are seeing many more patients than previously. An extra team was sent to Hebron. Because the visit was unexpected , an announcement was made from the mosque. The doctors from the Hospital of the Eye have arrived ', brought patients flocking to the clinic. On another occasion the team was held at a military checkpoint near Hebron for 2 Y2 hours. While they were waiting Dr Muswadeh Who trained at the St John Ophthalmic Hospital, joined them because he was not allowed to open his own clinic By the time the team arrived at the clinic area the weeks.

In-patients/surgery

Our surgical commitment has increased because of the rising number of injuries

During the quarter January to March , 132 more operations were performed than over the same period in 1987.

During winter , the out-patient load is lighter because patients prefer to stay at home in cold weather , but during the first quarter of 1988 the average number of in-patients was up by 8%

Staff

The 120 members of staff without exception , have been exemplary For some who live in Jerusalem the hardship has meant a walk of 45 minutes each way during strikes. This is more of a problem than it sounds , as Palestinians have to explain their reasons for being on the road Hospital workers are usually allowed to continue, but the questioning is intimidating and degrading. Staff members try to walk in groups, especially female members , to give moral support to

one another , but this is not so easy to arrange when returning home after late duties. Many of the staff live in the West Bank towns or camps where mobility is difficult. All staff carry a St John Identity Card as well as the ID cards from the Israeli authorities. The Hospital ID Card is accepted by many of the soldiers at the checkpoints, but some speak neither English nor Arabic and will not allow the workers to continue. Hasan Ibrahim and Mahmoud Abu Teen have both served St John for over 40 years and have frequently walked over the mountains starting at 4 am , arriving in Jerusalem by safer routes. When warnings of strikes or curfews are given with enough notice many of the staff have stayed in the hospital overnight rather than miss work.

To add to everyone ' s problems shops are rarely open more than three hours on the days when there are no strikes. Staff members are generally working when the shops are open and they have difficulty in buying necessary food for their families The opening times are sometimes morning and sometimes afternoon. This adds considerably to George Khoury s workload whose job is to cater for the hospital. In spite of the many difficulties facing the staff morale is generally high and there are few grumbles

OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL

Leehmere. St John's Gate today stands substantially as it was built in 1504. The Library and Museum are rich in manuscripts, printed books, paintings, furniture, silver and other works of art connected with the Order. The Museum includes one of the most important collections in existence of coins and medals of the Crusaders. Visitors are always welcome.

Early in the 19th century, some 300 years after destruction of the Order in England by Act of Parliament, there was a move to revive the English tongue of the Order of St John in England, but the question of revival was complicated by the problem of religion. It was made clear in Rome by the Sovereign Military Order that the proposition of a non-Roman Catholic branch in England was not viewed with sympathy. After a long period of fruitless

A day in the Clinic in Rafah

Sister Susan Morgan reports

THE GAZA STRIP lies on the Mediterranean seaboard, just north of the border of Egypt with Israel. It has a population of nearly 1,000,000 people, with a vast bustling city and many refugee camps and villages.

Each Saturday our team sets out from the St John Ophthalmic Hospital on the outskirts of Jerusalem for the clinic in Rafah, a town on the Egyptian border of the Gaza Strip. The journey of 70 miles on dlllSty, bumpy roads makes for a long day's work.

The Volkswagen van is packed the previous evening. An operating microscope is dismantled and carefully loaded, along with every item needed for surgery -linen, drugs, instruments, theatre gowns and

negotiation a new British Anglican Order was established in 1858. This new Anglican Order is today the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and is responsible for the present Eye Hospital on Mount Scopus. Happily, in these ecumenical days the relationship of the two orders is most cordial (see page 123).

A spirit of charity was the inspiration of the new order's work as it s motto 'Pro utilitate hominum' indicates. The work of adapting it to the requirements of the 19th century and of establishing it firmly as a popular national institution in the United Kingdom was accomplished during the long term of office of Sir Edmund Lechmere, its active Secretary-General.

Indeed it was he who personally bought St John's Gate and in 1874 returned it to the Order. This formative period was one of

packs (sterilised in our autoclave). We depend on our own careful packing, plus the skills of Saleh, our driver , to get us to our destination in good order.

The team for the day assembles at 6am in the hospital yard. It is still not fully light and several members have had to leave their homes before Sam to arrive in time.

We drive 50 miles before reaching the Israeli guard post at the entrance of the Gaza Strip, but we pull off the road 3 miles short of the guard post for breakfast. Hot tea hardboiled eggs and pitta bread are welcome! We know once we arrive at the clinic there will be no time to pause until the last patient has returned from the theatre.

Once back in the van everyone falls silent.

The guard post comes into view. Will we be lucky and be waved through, or will we all be lined up at the side of the road while the contents of the van are checked?

Everyone from expatriates to local staff carries a special St John Ophthalmic

The Outreach project enables isolated vi lages to receive eye-care. (Slide 14).

rapid progress It saw the creation of the British Order's three foundations - the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem , as we know it today; the St John Ambulance Association, which is responsible for wide. spread instruction in first aid; and the St John Ambulance Brigade, which is a uniformed branch of the Order prOviding voluntary first aid at thousands of public functions. The emphasis is on voluntary first aid - Brigade members receive no payment and even have to purchase their own uniforms. Sixty-one thousand volun· teers worked 4,237,000 hours in 1987 and performed 297,000 items of service, a mag· nificent record which defies criticism.

The charitable labours of the Order attracted Royal attention in 1876, when the Princess of Wales accepted memberShip and thenceforth it received the active support of many members of the Royal Family, leading to the granting of a Royal Charter in 1888. Queen Victoria then became its Sovereign Head and Patron , and her eldest son, later King Edward VII , became its Grand PrioT. And thus a new Anglican Order of Chivalry was estab· lished , and like all British orders of chivalry it has the prefix ' The Most Venerable'.

As far as the St John Ophthalmic Hos· pital in Jerusalem is concerned, it owes its existence to the inspiration of Her Majesty who had a keen desire to establish a British presence in what was to her The Holy Land. HRH Edward , the Prince of Wales , negotiated personally a site with the Sultan

Hospital ID card and these are respected by the Israelis and Arabs alike.

We are lucky. Saleh exchang es a few words in Hebrew with the soldiers on barrier duty and we are waved through. It is only as we pass the last soldier that we realise everyone has been keeping fingers crossed in expectation of delay.

There are still 30 miles to go. The local scene is different now; cars are replaced by donkey carts driven by women and children making their way to or from th e nearest UNRWA 'food distribution post. This part of the trip can be alarming. Th e whole population of the Gaza Strip has been isolated since 1967 and the six-day war. Their life style has been severely restricted and tempers can flare.

This week we arrive at the clinic without mishap at 8.15am. The patients were already waiting. The van had to be unloaded and all equipment carried up tw O flights of stairs. The doctor examined each of the four patients expected for operation, although six turned up . The first four were

of the Ottoman Empire, and together they ch0s e a building on the Bethlehem Road in l882, just south of Jerusalem. The Hospital was restricted to ophthalmology because of the high incidence of eye disease in the Middle East. It proved an immediate success, attracting patients in large numbers from many surrounding countries.

Sir Edmund Lechmere visited Jerusalem in 1887 , five years after the foundation of the Hospital and in the archives at St John's Gate are preserved personal letters from the heads in Jerusalem of the three great religions expressing gratitude in most felicitous terms for the services offered to their people and blessing the Order for its magnificent work. This building continued as a hospital from 1882 until 1948, with a short break during the First World War when the Turks converted it into an ammunition dump, and before leaving they destroyed half of the building, but it was quickly repaired and re-opened by General Allenby. It began to work again in 1919.

In 1948, this hospital was abandoned, but the building is now used as a small hotel , on which a preservation order has been placed by Mr Teddy Kollek, the Mayor of Jerusalem with specific instructions that the crests of the Priors and the logo of the Order shall remain untouched.

For the next twelve years the Order made use of two houses it owned in the Old City, one belonging to Sir John Strathearn and the other called Watson House, until 1960, when the present hospital was opened in Jordan 's East Jerusalem. The conditions of work were extremely congested at that period. In 1967, this area was occupied.

selected and the la st two booked for next week. The driver, with a local resident, carried the microscope up to the theatre area and set it up. The two theatre nurses prepared the theatre and arranged the equipment. The sisters took charge of the patients selected by the doctor , who arrived with their family all curious to see what was happening.

The beds in the two rooms were made up with one sheet and a thin blanket. Our first patient was a woman from Rafah refugee camp. She had a form from UNRWA to show she was too poor to pay for the operation, but family and friends had combined to raise the money needed to pay for the intra-ocular lens she wished to have inserted. The pa tient and her companion were dressed in the loc al handembroidered black Palestinian dress.

The companion stayed right through the day and saw her friend home after she had rec(;)Vered sufficiently from the operation. All went smoothly. The patient was undressed and put into a theatre gown. We

The present hospital, which was opened in 1960, has 80 beds and was built in a compound which includes a Sisters Home, Nurses' Home, Warden's House, Matron's Bungalow and four flats for the young surgeons who spend a year with us. This building was financed largely as a result of the efforts of Sir Stewart Duke-Elder, who persuaded many of the oil companies to underwrite the costs. Today, the Hospital copes with 50,000 out-patients per annum and of these 5,000 patients are submitted to major surgery. This excludes much lid surgery carried out in the Hayward outpatient theatre.

The Hospital is in local charge of a Warden who is a permanent officer and at the moment is Group Captain A. Morgan, late of the Royal Air Force. There is a whole-time surgeon in charge of the Outreach programme, and there are three temporary surgeons who come for a period of a year. Canada and Australia provide us with surgeons and we frequently have a surgeon from the Armed Services of the UK, or from the American Society of the Order of St John , which underwrites our children's ward and provides us with corneal tissue for keratoplasty. In addition there are two part-time Arab surgeons who practise in Jerusalem, and a devoted nursing and administrative staff.

The guiding principle behind this great hospital is solely humanitarian. Its true worth to its patients can only be appreciated by a personal visit, including a sojourn to one of the villages with the Outreach team. Why not join us for a day and see for yourself the devoted work carried out in the name of the Order?

had much amusement trying to explain in our doubtful Arabic that we wanted to trim her eyelashes. Would she close her eyes? No, she was far too keen to see what we were up to.

Eventually this task was completed and she was given a sedative and left lying quietly in bed while we dealt with patient number 2. Mohammed was accompanied by his wife. She was pretty and concerned about her elderly husband He was completely blind in one eye and saw poorly with the other.

First patient

In the meantime our first patient was brought into the operating theatre. She was given a local anaesthetic and the operation began. All went smoothly. Nearly an hour later she was wheeled back to her bed , where she stayed until she was strong enough to go home.

While we waited for Mohammed's test to be completed, patient number 3 was taken into theatre. Patients from previous

SUPPLIES UPDATE

LAST MONTH you wiU have received the latest edition of Supplies News with your Review Our mailing to account holders included details of the latest SkiUmeter Resusci Anne. We have stocks of the entire range of Laerdal models. Remember- we guarantee our prices are the lowest

weeks arrived hoping to see the Doctor between his operating sessions; all without doubt were delighted with the results. For one elderly gentleman a new life had begun at 80. He was cared for by neighbours until three weeks before surgery then having had his cataract removed and a lens implanted, he was managing extremely well without help. By 1pm, the last patient was back in bed and they were all put in the charge of the clinic nurse, and we left. The team then dismantled the microscope collected the linen, checked the instruments and carefully packed the van. By 3pm, we had driven out of the Gaza Strip and into Israel. A suitable place was found for a picnic. We were all hungry and thirsty and enjoyed the food provided by the hospital kitchen.

We finally arrived back at St John Ophthalmic Hospital at 4pm. We then had to unload the van and check all the items before we headed for home , tired but pleased with our achievement that day.

BUREAUCRACY

from G. P., eso Notts

Over the last few. months I have read Readers Views with concern. Does anyone of any substance read and take notice of thes e letters? Bureaucracy Gone Mad is a term used on more than one occasion.

Money seems to be the root of all evil in more ways than one. We are constantly changing the uniform , or some part of it, with the inevitable increase in price. We are changing our manuals nearly every three years, again with a price increase (and what a mess was made over the last change). Why not one book to cover adults, cadets and FAW , and make it loose leaf so any changes can be quickly made by inserting a fresh page?

In one breath we have Badgers to compete with the Scout/ Guide movement's Beavers (do we see scouts and guides changing uniform every other year?) which shouldn t be associated with a cadet division , yet six months later they can be.

Am I in a minority, or would National HQ like to send out a census to every division for their views - and publish t he findings?

Cutting costs and red tape could well see an increase in membership, which would show itself as more money going into stores, etc , than at present.

One further question: the age limits being imposed over retirement from the Brigade How many divisions ha ve members 65 to 75 years of age still fit and able, to pass on their experience to the younger ones instead of being discarded along with the old style uniforms?

Mansfield

SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP LINK - KENYA

from Group Captain J. A. G. Siessor, Secretary Overseas Relations

A request has been received from Mr Peter Onyango , a school master in Mombasa , Kenya , for contact with a school in the UK which would like to establish a friendship link with his school in Mombasa for the purpose of exchanging ideas.

Would anyone interested please write to me and I will then put them in touch with Mr Onyango?

National HQ, London John Slessor

REDUNDANT GEORGE

from George W. Johnson, ex-Ambulance Member

I was pleased to read Leslie Parry-Marris's letter (April Review) following my letter (Feb). I hasten to add that I hope I did not

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

give the impression that I was going to sit back and do nothing for St John. As already mentioned , I attend our weekly meetingsdrill nights it seems, is an old fashioned term.

Some of our biggest duties are at the Twickenham Rugby Ground , with Some 60170,000 spectators , 60 members 5 or 6 ambulances and a mobile unit on duty. I look after the refreshments. Any member would be welcome to call in the first aid room for a cup of tea or coffee (nothing stro n ger!) when attending the international matches. Just ask for George On my retirement from the Brigade I joined the Fellowship , so will be keeping in touch.

Twickenham George W. Johnson

THE OLDEST?

from Mr W. J. Cooper, Divisional Superintendent

We of the Pressed Steel Division have been celebrating our 50th year and wondered if we are the oldest division attached to a factory? If any readers know of such a division with a longer record we should be pleased to have d etails.

The Pressed Steel Division is attached to the Austin Rover Group in Oxford and the name Pressed Steel is the original. Since then , of course , many changes have taken place. In the early days there were about 90 members. But once the factory management stopped paying first-aiders the number dropped dramatically!

Although the company has undergone several name changesBritish Leyland, Morris Motors , etc - we decided to keep the old name.

Kennington , Oxford 1. Cooper

CARING FOR THE CARERS

THE NEEDS of the carers have been much neglected and today many statutory services such as home -helps, meals-onwheels, and day -care are allocated to elderly people living alone . But family carers are left largely to manage on their own, resulting in considerable pressure and often family stress and break-up.

How often do we hear carers say:

'It's very hard, you lose friends, they offer to help, but after a while they stop 'I used to love to go dancing but haven't been able to for years . I can't leave her.

138

Many families , friends, and neighbours are only too willing to support and help elderly and handicapped people , but they do need practical and supportive help , and time for themselves. We do not expect paid staff such as nurses or home-helps to work seven days a week, twenty- four hours a day. So why should family carers be expected to cope on their own?

Family support schemes make an important contribution to meeting the ne eds of carers , but there are too few available. Most have been set up by voluntary groups such as Age Concern and the Cheshire

difference between fami ly harmony and breakdown.

We as members of the Brigade are trained in first aid and home nursing. We are seen on public duties - football matches, race meetings , etcfirst aid. How often do we use our nursmg skills? The correct way to lift, dress and handle a handicapped person , change a soiled sheet or give a bed-bath can save so much time and anxiety for both the family carer and the patient.

A little time on a regular basis alongside the knowl edge and ski ll s we have already attained is all that is needed to offer a family support. Having been personally involved with care schemes in Northumberland , two examples spring to mind.

Jayne had been physically handicapped nine years , her carer IS husband Martll1.

He has been coping with his job in a bank every day and running a home , shopping cooking, cleaning and caring for his wife. He works from 7 a.m. each morning till midnight , seven days a week, no days off.

Recent ly a voluntary care scheme started in his village. Now Maureen helps him to care. She has undertaken a variety of the

jobs - shopping, cooking, writing letters, repairing clothes and sometimes lends a very willing ear. Whatever the task she is willing to help and give Martin one free evening a week. He plays snooker at the club meets his friends and returns to Jayne refreshed from a break.

Ellen had a handicapped husband , who was paraplegic, and confined to a wheelchair. She wanted to continue to care for him at home and with the support of a home-help, district nur se, and her niece , she managed well. These services came to the home to assist with the care of her husband. Their visits were planned to carry out a required task. But none allowed for her needs as an individual. The one thing she would have liked most was to attend church on Sunday evenings, but her husband needed assistance to the toilet and this prevented her from asking friends and neighbours to help , as she respected his right to privacy.

St John Ambulance member William offered to stay with Ellen 's husband. He understood the problems , had the skills to cope with the situation and was accepted by Ellen as someone who would be able to

care for her husband in her absence. Ellen went to church each Sunday. Afterwards she stayed long enough to see her friend s and have a cup of tea , then returned home refreshed and ready to start another week.

A St John Ambulance division can provide a family care service, but only if its members are truly committed to the role in the community they are about to p lay. Agreement on the amount of time they have available each week is essential, establishing a rota of days and times.

Relieving those who care for others starts with building up a relationship of trust and reliability . This can only be achieved by continuity in terms of the person who relieves the carer and the regularity of the visits.

Once a division is sure they can offer such help , contact should be made with a local Health Centre or Social Services department No one service should work in isolation. It is only by voluntary and statutory agencies working alongside each other that those most in need will be identified and helped. Move forward St John members - use your nursing skills for the benefit of others around you.

Is there a role here for SJA members?

Foundation How could we as members of St John become involv e d?

What do we mean by a fami l y support service?

The overall purpose behind these schemes is to widen the choice of help for the handicapped person and the carer reSUlting in the elderly or handicapped person being able to remain at home ratber than entering institutional care.

We know good community care requires co-operation between family, statutory and voluntary agencies. Two to four hours regular and reliable help could mean the

of their community courses. The y now hold Two and Three Cross Awards. Instru ction was by first-aiders Mrs Carol Way and Mrs Julie Dibbens, here with the children.

Schools Project Officers' seminar

THE SECOND se minar for schools proJect officers (SPOs) held at Grosvenor Crescent on March 9, proved both enterta ining and instructive - the mix we're all surely? This year I decided to IQvite speakers who had been successful in promoting the Three Cross Award into schools.

The Director-General, Robert Balchin, opened the seminar with a s hort speech of to the SPOs and then Introduced the new metal Three Cross Award lapel badge.

Brian Wilson (SPO Isle of Wight) told us about the island community which now has six schools awarded the special certificate, and the majority of the middle and high schools are involved with the Three Cross Award scheme. Many of the schools were persuaded to become involved in the scheme through visits or phone calls from Brian. He also emphasised the importance of pUblicity.

Godfrey Kite (Alterton Grange School) discussed his personal experiences while teaching the Three Cross Award scheme at his schoo l , and included advice on the best way to approach schools and the information schools require from us.

PC Allan Johnson (Cheshire Police Schools Liaison Officer and St John Ambulance SPO) told of his successes in Cheshire and how the local police are assisti ng with the Schools Project.

Bob Mann (Duputy County Director, Essex) spoke on his experience with the local Education Authority and outlined his

advised approach to education authorities John Mills (Director of Public Relations) produced a very useful written guideline on practical ideas on how to get publicity for the Schools Proj ect.

Russell Julian (County Director Cornwall) showed a video made by instructors in Cornwall on teaching the mentally handicapped Emergency Aid, using the Three Cross Award video as a teaching aid. The results were amazing; and the pleasure at the students' success was shared by the instructors as well as students.

Sharen Bowler (Assistant Cadet Training Officer, Brigade) introduced the St John Cadet Action Pack and discussed the importance of communication between Association and Brigade regarding teaching in T.C.A. in schools.

Anne Macleod Schools Proj ect

The seminar (right) at National HQ And (above) six pupils of Mayfield Middle School, Ryde, lOW who opted for 70 minutes of irst aid instruction a week in place of le ssons as part

Quads join the Badgers

SIX-YEAR-OLD quads - Hazel, Carl, Rebecca and Craig Crawley - celebrated their sixth birthday in style when they joined the Bedgrove (Bucks) Badgers in January.

To celebrate this very special event, a birthday party complete with a Badger decorated iced cake was held for the newcomers to St John at the Bucks County HQ in Aylesbury.

Badger Leader Rosemary Stratfull and County Commander Bob Payne presented the quads with their new uniforms as a special birthday gift. The quads handled the never-ending photo session with all the aplomb of real stars before joining their new friends for a massive tea party followed by games.

National HQ Public Relations really laid on the treatment with photographers

UK members on Calgary Olympic duty

The Crawley quads - Carl, Rebecca, Hazel and Craig - an armful for Bob Payne and Rosemary Stratfull.

appearing from all the major papersTelegraph, The Times, Sun , Ind ep endent, as well as the local press and Chiltern Radio. Special guests at th e party wer e Jennie Eaves National Badg e r Lead e r , and Coral Bex County Badger Lead e r.

Alberta SJA Commissioner, Mr R. S. Westbury receives the pewter tankard from Dorset PRO Peter Cotton , with Suzanne Williams, 0/0 Oakengates, Shropshire.

THREE UK SJA members - Dorset PRO Peter Cotton , Shropshire DIS Suzanne Williams and Hoddesdon DIO Brian Wingate - left for Canada in February to work for 19 days with Canadian members at the Winter Olympics in Calgary. On arrival they were kitted out in Canadian SJA Olympic duty uniforms (with other members from New Zealand and South Africa) and assigned to the ice hockey and skating rinks, on 8 to 10 hour shifts, with two doctors, two nurses and 12 first-aiders, working from two 3-bedded medical rooms and seven posts. They were on duty 12 days , with eight days free for sightseeing. At the end of their stay, our members received many gifts and presented a pewter tankard from SJA England to SJA Canada , with many requests from Canadian members to be invited over here to share some

News from Divisions/Centres

OBITUARY

Florace Stanley Foster, 80 , Divisional Superintendent Whittle s

Maurice Fox 70 Join e d Bris tol Ce nt r al Division in 1939 , fir s t UK SJA C ounty PRO in 1949 , staff offic e r to County C ommander in 1978 Comm a nd er of th e Ord e r. MBE in 1976. M e mb e r of Avon St John Council , responsibl e for fund- r ai sing Di gd December 919 87

W. B. (Wally) Robinson , 82, m e mb e r for 36 years th e la s t 18 as corp s sup e rintendent until h e r e tir e d in F e bru a r y 197 6 Died Febru a r y 25 1988.

Miss Amanda Southworth N ursing C a d e t of Southport for about o n e yea r. Died March 5 198 8 f ollowin g

HANTS

Tunstall Telecom Awards for help to the elderly or disabled

outstanding service to the care and wellbeing of elderly people or those with disabilities who need special attention.

Previous winners and runners up are not eligible but people nominated in previous years may be nominated again in 1988.

Organisation award

Are you a member of an organisation or group of people caring for elderly or disabled persons? Is there a plan or project yo u would love to u ndertake , a project that would make the lives of the people you care for more enjoyable and fulfilling?

r sons?

Organi sa tions t h ro u gh o u t th e co u ntry

are b ein g aske d t o su bmit no min atio ns for their p a rt icul a r h ero or h eroine wh o , either vo luntaril y o r p r ofessionally, h as given

We want you to apply for the Organisation Award by telling us about your plans and ideas The prize on offer is a cheque for £5 ,000, which would fund the project of yo u r choice The scope of such projects can be as wide as the imagination allows It could be something substantial, such as equipping a rest room or gym. It could be to purchase an item of special equipment. It co uld go towards the purchase of a minibus , for example . Or it could even be spent on an exciting trip abroad!

As well as the cash prize, Tunstall Telecom will also help with advice to put your plans into action.

Applications sent in previous years may be re -s ubmitted in 1988.

Closing date

Nominations and applications must be received no later than Septemb er 30 1988.

Judging

All entries will be examined by a panel of judges and their decision will b e final. A pr ese ntation luncheon will be held in London during the Autumn.

Entries

Completed forms should be returned to:

Miss Sharon Carroll, Tunstall Telecom, FREEPOST, Whitley Bridge, Yorkshire DN14 OBR.

For further information, please tele· phone Sharon Carroll on (0977) 661234.

Jeann e Merce r Chief Welfare Offi cer

to mathematical treatment. (5). 13. Young lad y is in manuscript. (4).16. Surgeon who may stop during a course of treatment. (6).17 Nicotinic acid deficiency d isease upsets large paJ. (8). 18. Its no ses may form a pathological narrowing of an orifice. (8). 21. Stream of water used to cleanse a part of the body. (6).24. Smooth uniform (4).25 Protective garment put on after April. (5). 26. Basic unit of all living matter. (4).29. Tabular or graphic record of the pa tient 'S condition and treatment. (5). 30. Experience d when an afferent nerve is stimulated (9). 31. Breathing characterised by alternate periods of apnoea and hypernoea (6-6).

Down:

1. In Paris for an analgesic. (7). 2. Girl left nitrite used as vasodilator in angina pectoris. (4). 3. Tilted on the rear part bfthe foot? (6). 4 Unauthorised dissemination of confidential information. (7). 5. Unruptured amnion covering child's head at birth (4). 6. Craving for symptom of skin irritation. (7). 7 Intensificatio n of symptoms of disease after an improvement. (13). 8. Organ causing retention of urine in elderly males. (8.5). 14. Hair remover. (5). 15 . Liquid tissue. (5). 17. Contents of an abscess. (3). 19. Politician s collyrium? (3.4).20. Deadlock in which little devil and stupid fellow take a point. (7). 22. Their dwarfism and mental deficiency results from hypothyroidism in infancy. (7). 23. Bon y growth on head of animal and French stinging insect. (6) 27. Remain for support. (4). 28. Set of cards used in treatment of epistaxis. (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No 5 (88)

REVIEW CROSS W OR D N o.6 (88) by W A. Po tter

Across : 1. Sh o ck du e t o h yp e r se n si ti vity to a foreign protein. (12). 9 C omplicatio n of ch ro nic bro nch itis and of fractured ribs. (9). 10. Cruel di sturb a nce in lesi on of sk in o r m u co u s membranes (5). 11. It is m ost unusual t o b e cook e d lig h t ly. (4 ). 12. Calcul us not amenable

Across: 1. Circle of Willis; 10. Hearing; 11. Bloomer; 12. Ruin ; 13. Trio; 14. Yolks; 16. Treponema; 18. Scarf; 19. X-rays; 21. Amb· lyopia; 24. Carol; 26. Base; 27. Grit; 29. Sunbeam ; 30. Flatter; 31. Sulphonilamide.

Down: 2. Imagine; 3 Chin; 4. Engorge; 5. Fibroma; 6. Iv·ory; 1: Lamella ; 8 Stress fracture; 9. Thyrotoxicosis; 15. Boss; 17 18. St·ye; 20 Adrena l ; 21. Albumin; 22. Bashful; 23. ParotId; 2 Leech; 28. Balm.

YOUTH GROUP MMERCAMPS

AUSTRIA- Staying in the Lech Valley ITALY - Staying in the Martel Valley FRANCE - Staying in the Gorges du Tarn NORWAY - Staying in the village of Hallingdal

All our centres offer an excellent base for excursions, sports activities, and in the field training. Have you ever thought of using a foreign tour as a base for Duke of Edinburgh Award activities, open water safety training, or mountain rescue techniques , many of our groups did this year. Climbing, canoeing, caving and two- and three-day expeditions are possible, so ring us now to find out more.

Suying in purpose-built houses with all food, travel, insurance and a local pick-up included in the price you'll find us great

Last

Better Life Insurance from Pilcher- Greene.

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

WITH ACTION as our theme for the next few months, the aim is to show the wide range of activities in which St John is involved. Bringing out not only the work St John is known for - first aid and public duties - but the lesser known but equally important , particularly welfare and the work of the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.

QUESTION 1: How many hours of unpaid voluntary service do St John members in the UK (excluding Scotland) devote to the community each year?

ANSWER: Over 4 million.

QUESTION 2: How many cases are dealt with by St John Ambulance on average each day?

QUESTION 3: How many patients are dealt with by the Ophthalmic Hospital each year?

ANSWER: Over 800. ANSWER: More than 50 ,000 outpatients are treated, and 5 ,000 operations are carried out.

REV IE

Contents

PR Message of the Month p.145

Secretary-General - A year of the Air Wing p.146

Association Homecare course p.146

How to get an ambulance p.148

Schools Project p 150

St John Fellowship AGM p 151

The World of St John p.152

Secretary-General

ON June 28 Sir Peter Hud so n re tir e d as Secretary-General of the Order of St John and Mr Timothy Everard took over the po st. Mr Everard has had a fa scinating career with the Foreign Office that has taken him to many countries. On completing his degre e in Modern Languages at Oxford , Timothy Everard began his career in banking, working in various parts of Africa , and as manager of the head office branch of the Credit Congolais saw the bank through th e exciting times of Congolese independence from 1960 -62. He then joined the Foreign Office , working in South East Asia , where he se t up an aid programme in Laos in 1963 and spent two years in Bangkok After a year working as a director of Ellis and E ve rard Ltd, he returned to the Foreign Office, serving for three years in the Gulf. He was appointed Consul-General Hanoi in late 1972 while the Vietnam War was still in progress and remained there until 1974 when he returned to Europe and was appointed Economic a nd Commercial Counsellor n the Embass y in Athens. In 1978 Timothy Everard was awarded the CMG and we nt to Paris as Commercia CounseUor. In 1981 he was promoted to Minister in the High Commission in Lagos Finally he was appointed as Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic resident in East Berlin , a post he particularly enjoyed. In his spare time Timothy Everard enjoys riding sailing and always packs a tennis racquet wherever he goes! Mr Everard has been married since 1955 to Josiane Romano who has accompanied him throughout his career - and is fluent in five langu ages. They have four married

ldr en, and two grandchildren.

A YEAR OF THE AIR WING

ASSOCIATION HOMECARE COURSE

The three modul es are first a id , home safety and personal care. There are easy to read transpare nci es to illu s trat e the h eadings, but it would hav e been useful to hav e more glamorous visual aids. Funds did n ot permit thi s a nd it has been left to indi vidual of St John to e l aborate on the basics we give them. We h ave been most interested to see how courses have developed differently in different parts of the countr y.

Resuscitation

The first a id module cons ists of simpl e basic fir st a id that is possible for elderly people who h ave h ad no previous knowledge of the subj ect. No attempt is made in this modul e to teach resuscitation, but the group is inv ited to tell us if they would like to learn this and resuscitation can then be taught at a later stage.

Home safety

The hom e safety module draws atte nti on to the simple hazards arou n d the house that cause so many accidents These include the worn sl ipp ers, the slippery path , th e unsafe electrical eq uipm ent, the torn carpet etc. It gives firm si mpl e advice on how to improve safety in the home.

Personal care

The personal care module relates to aspects of health s u c h as diet and keeping wa rm in winter in a sensible economical fas hion. We demonstrate how to instil eye an d ea r drops for oneself or partner. The kee ping of simple safe medication and first ai d eq uip ment at home in the cheapest way possible is also included. We hav e found by ex peri ence at the 'pilot stage and since then th at a great many qu e stions and requests for advice are triggered by these simple courses. Quite often t h e first questions asked begin a lively discu sion. Sometimes people want to ask about bathing aids and are told the cheapest afe way to go about obtaining them. On other occasions questions about the safety of electrical appliances , particularly blankets, are asked. There are those who come quietly to ask when the meeting is over about aids for the incontinent. They are so cheered to know that the probl em is quite co mmon a n d h elp is often quite easy.

Help themselves

We are in no doubt that this cour e is esse ntial in that it h e lp s the e ld erly to h e lp themselv es , which is what m ost of them Wis h to do. It has also made u s aware that by giving this s impl e, accurate g uid ance in an Inform a l way it gives people the confidence to ask o th e r questions which h ave been worryi n g them.

o D A V

90s. It consists of three modules which may

all be held in o n e day or separate ly to su it the need s of indi v idual gro ups. The e mphasis changes according to th e particular n eeds or int erests of the gro up and sometimes they lik e to advance beyond the course to other aspects of St John work such as first aid, by taking th e relevant full courses.

St John m ake no charge for this co ur se but we h ave al l been touched b y the generosity s hown by many of the participants. All of u s who h ave tau g ht th e course have found it a mo st r eward in g exper ie nc e.

A children's book dedicated to the SJ Badgers

The Royal Secret of Brockwood by Anthony Co rfield and Patricia Hubbard. To be published on July 12, price £5.95. Available from Supplies Department at £5.25. A HAPPY tale with a moral , this imaginative story of Bertie a lazy but friendly young badger and his woodland friends, is enriched by beautiful colour illu stra ti o ns. Threatened with the 10 s of his tiny, ramshackle cottage , he decides to give it a good spri ng clean. His work is rewarded by a n exc itin g discovery, which se ts the vi ll age ab uzz. Bertie decides to ce lebrate hi find and reveals the Royal Secret which t ra n form hi s li fe.

BOOST BRIGADE FUNDS In addi tion to the donation being made to St John for every copy of this book o ld in the cou ntr y, th ere will be a sub stantia l donation to St John Ambulance for eve r y copy o ld at a ny Brigade eve nt

Dr Gladys Miall-Smith, a founder member of Welwyn Garden City Divisio n where she was Div ision al Surgeon from 1931-58, with members from Northampton - where she now ves - who presented her with a bouquet on behalf of the Brigade on her 100th birthday

CJ 2 :3 ::l CO :E 4 % I2

by ALAN HERBERT Divisional Officer

RAISING MONEY for any Brigade pro-

ject is always a b u rde n for a busy Division. This article outlines so m e usefu l lessons lea rnt during our su ccessf ul ap p eal.

Introduction

In March 1986 we realised t h at our Division needed to replace one of its ambu l a nces , which was approaching ten years o ld Initially it was thought the replacement wo uld cost £18,000. Looking to the future, we saw ce n te nary year as being a n excellent time to la un c h and run a publi c a pp ea l. Even at th is stage we knew a lot of work was n ecessary to attract money , since many national and local ch ar ities are competi n g for a limited budget.

Appeal committee

A small appea l committee was immediately formed to steer the progress and efforts of a ll involved. An initial brain storming meeting was held to consider as many ideas as possible for raising the m o ney Only eig ht months were avai l able to prepare th e necessary groundwork.

The committee , chaired by our Divisional P res id ent , a we ll known and respected m e mb er of the local community consi sted of four Brigade members , although people outside the Brigade may be a considerable asset.

When planning we knew it was importa nt to try to avoid clashing with other major appeals in the area since it would become su rviva l of th e fittest. Our timing lu ckily avo id e d all significant local appeals.

Next we began to look at how to raise money. Soon we realised two efforts were required:

1. Fund-raising events organised by the Di visio n and associates

2. Encouraging o ut side groups and organisations to raise or donate to the a pp eal.

A year pl anner was soon drafted to e n sure p ro p osed eve nt s did not clas h a nd were staggered throughout the year.

Events had to r aise m oney from different gro up s within St John and their s upp orte rs.

Publicit y and secretarial b ud gets were agreed. It was als o conside red usefu l to examine amb ul a nc es available , wi th details of cost a nd specificatio ns , although

obvious ly inflation was difficult to predict.

Following the initial meetings , the gro und work of the appea l was prepared.

Preparation

At the earliest stage we made efforts to justify the reason for the appea l outl in ing the work undertaken by the old ambulance and its future work.

Artwork and literature was prepared to se nd to potential donors. This included posters , leaflets , car stickers and handbills. Headed paper was printed for ap p eal letters.

Several st a nd ard appeal le tt e r s were drafted, each of which carried the basic information:

Detail of the work of St John Ambulance

Aim of appeal

Need for vehicle and why no other source of finance available

How it will benefit the local comm unit y

A potential donor list was prepared: Local firms a nd industry Trust funds

Sporting clubs and associations Masonic Lodges

Rotary , Round Table. Lions Women s Institute , Ladies ' Circle Carnival associations Local Authorities Youth Cl ub s

Wealthy individuals

Ban ks and building societies R eg ular u sers of S t John Publi c hou ses a nd social clubs

Schools

The approach to an organisation should be as personal as possible , incl udin g the name of director chairman o r leader. Lists of people to talk to were prepared. s u ch as WI , play groups Rot ary, etc A slide/tape sh ow was u sed to sp read the word as was the video 'For All the R ight R easons . A set of display b oar ds was purchased for use in pu blic libraries local fetes , building societies a nd similar ven u es Pr eparation was the ke y to s uccess Continually revising the potential donor list from members contacts and knowledge articles in newspapers. etc. ( Ol e r/ea/)

Getting that Ambulance (cant.)

Help and support

When approached, help in the groundwork for the appeal was available from:

Public Affairs Dept, SJA HQ, Grosvenor Crescent - Posters, leaflets , photographs , ideas.

PR Department, Local Council - List of local organisations ; list of major industries ; sites to display posters ; articles in council newspaper.

Education Authority - List of schools; li st of youth organisations.

Reference Library - Who s Who; industrial directories; books on fund-raising; trust fund directories.

M.S.C. Community Programme - Artwork and printing of leaflets

Appeal launch

Our appeal was lauched in January 1987 at a Cheese and Wine Evening, followed by a three-day exhibition in the main library.

Public figures , major potential donors and civiG dignitaries attended and were encouraged to spread the word of the appeal. Local press and radio attended and good publicity resulted.

As if to justify the need for the new ambulance, during the launch evening an R.T.A. victim was taken to hospital.

During the exhibition a cardiac arrest and fractured lower leg were also treated

SCHOOLS PROJECT

Another ISpecial School' Success

by Anne Macleod Schools Project Manager

BLANTYRE SPECIAL School, Cornwall, has succeeded yet again in training a further ten of their mentally handicapped students in the One Cross Award.

Russell Julian, SJA County Director for Cornwall, said that the reason for teaching the students first aid was because mentally handicapped persons , who have previously lived in hostel-type accommodation, are being taught independence as part of their training to live in a community; so a knowledge of first aid is of great importance and it also gives the candidates more confidence when living alone and endeavouring to care for themselves.

The project presented St John Ambulance Association instructors with a formidable challenge. The teaching had to be taken in slow but definite stages to ensure that candidates understood and retained the knowledge of first aid. It was also of the utmost importance to gain the

150

Progress

Fund-raising events were many a nd varied, stagge red throughout the year and aimed to attract money fro m all po ssib le gro up s.

Good publicity was arranged prior to each event and t h e events themselves were organised by different people. Functions included:

Hair care d e mon s tration

Fancy dress disco

Sponsored stretch er carry

Raffle

Bring & buy sales

Fashion show

Local athletes were enco ura ged to run in marathons for St John Co ll ection boxes were placed in banks shops, etc. It was necessa r y to empty these frequent l y, and several were stolen

Collections were held at regular public duties, drumming up trade by ensuring good announcements over the PA system.

Interesting events on public duty wou ld be reported to the local newspapers.

Members of the Division were regu lar ly kept informed of the progress. We a lso always accepted gifts for raffles , nev e r did we have enough.

When the appeal letters were posted , it was neces sary to stagger their despatch in order to reduce the burden in replying to enquiries.

Administration

A good typewrit er or WP was esse nti a l In

order to reproduce quality appea l letters.

We had access to both. A telephone a n swer- machin e was a lso u sefu l.

Exact records of each donor and th e amount given were kept with receipts and thank you letters being sent by r eturn 01 post. On some occasions it was also suggested that a photograph of a donation being handed over be included in the lo cal paper.

Results

During 1987 we found it necessary to revis e our ap pe al target to £24,000. Despite this increase , we achieved our goa l by Chr ist· mas. This was the result of much hard work and some very generous donations from our local community.

Conclusion

Anyone contemplating a similar exercise might care to consider the fo ll owing:

Spend as much time as possibl e On prepa ra tion.

PR of a hi gh standard is essent ial at every stage.

Efficien t administration.

Spread th e word of your appeal to anybody who will li s ten All try to tell the sa me story.

Spend some money initially to produce professional publicity material.

Approach everyone for money. They can on y say 'No', or more likely nol reply.

Award schem e to teachers who attended the sessions, and have subsequently sent to each school a l etter and further inforon the Schools Project.

Schools nominated for the Special One Cross Award certificate

Greater Manchester Cansfield High School , Wigan

Ro oh Valley High School Rochdal e.

Hertfordshire Quee nswood School, Hatfield.

London

Ston ey down Park Junior School , Waltham stow. Liverpool

Prior y Community Comprehensive School, Liverpool.

Staffordshire

Cheslyn Hay High School, Cheslyn Hay.

Suffolk

The Royal Hospital Schoo l , Ip swich.

I AM DELIGHTED to announce the formation of two more branch es (Chapters) in Canada and the fourth branch in Sussex, a Horsham:

Lincoln Corps Chapter, Ontario

Contact Mr G. J Viguers, 68 Facer Stre e St Catharines, Ontario L2M 512.

Welland Corps Chapter, Ontario

Contact Mr S. Crow, 5 Riverview Drive Weil and , Ontario L3C 2E5.

Horsham Branch , West Sussex

Contact Mrs Jo y Napp er 43 Trafalgar Road Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2QD

Fifth Annual General Meeting, May 41988

A Doniford (Somerset) School Venture Centre, Mrs Mary Tamblin instructing pupils from Herbert

At Blantyre Special School - Mr and Mrs Robert Balchin and Russell Julian , Director Cornwall (back righl

co-operation of the candidates and at the same time not to talk down ' or in any way make them feel inferior or unintelligent.

The training was given over seven sessions of approximately 45 minutes each, held on Monday afternoons at the Coun ty Training Centre at Pa r, Co rnwall Fortyfiv e minutes per session was a dvi se d by the training officer, Mrs Pauline Smith, of the Blant yre Centre, and it was found that this was about the maximum time that their attention could be held and also the maximum amount of input that candidates could retain. Three Cross Award Scheme and the First Aid in Schools video were used as the main teaching aid.

The presentation of the One Cross certificates was held at the opening of the Association's new Training Centre at Par Moor , Cornwall, when the certificates were presented by Robert Balchin, Director-General who expressed his

delight at being able to pres e nt suc h well deserved awards to a gro u p of hard work· ing and diligent students.

Butlins School Venture Weeks

Nine thousand Schoolchildren and 350 t eac her s r eceived First Aid Certificates al the 1988 Butlins School Venture WeekS held at Pwllheli (North Wales), Doniford Village and Minehead (Somerset), Skegness (Lincolnshire) Duporth (Cornwall), Bognor Regis (S u ssex), Mar· gate (Kent), and the Isle of Wight.

Once again our teams of St Ambulance instructors stayed at the hoh· day centres to teach first aid to children aged 9-11. The sessions proved very popular with the children and also their teachers, who were keen to join In and get their own certificates.

As well as promoting the Cadets we alsO gave information on the Three Cross

The Fellowship is fortunate in having Councillor Mrs 1. T. White as a member of Hant s Central Area Branch As Mayor of Southampt on , Mrs White invited us to hold our 1988 AGM in Southampton's magnificent Guildh all. It was our biggest reunion yet, with over 400 members from 46 bran ches. Members were welcomed with a glass of sherry followed by lunch which the President of Hampshire , Mrs Mary Fagan, had persuad ed Sotheby's , the auctioneers, to su pply On every table were flowers arranged by Miss Maltby , chairman of the Centra l Area Branch. Her members h ad worked hard all day to make us comfortable, while the Brigad e in Hamps hire provided first-aiders who gave me as secretary much help Altogether , St John in Hampshire gave u a wond erful welcome.

After lun ch, the proceedings opened with pray ers, sa id by the Mayor 's Chaplain, Rev J. J S. Watson.

Th e chairman, Major-General D. S. Gordon , then welcomed everyone, including the guest of honour, Lt-General Sir William Pike , former Chief Commander St John Ambul a nce. General Gordon thanked the Mayor for her generous invitation , and also the COUnty President and SJA Hf:lmpshire mad e the day possible at no cost, apart rom tr avel, to the Fe ll owsh ip It was un animous l y agreed to send a messto Lord Grey on hi appoi ntm ent as Lord Pnor. The message a nd the Lord Prior 's reply

ST JOHN FELLOWSHIP

wi ll be published in the next Fellowship Newsletter.

The Mayor then welcomed member s to Southampton. They had come from as far away as Preston, Hull and Doncaster. She wished they had time to see the town and its surroundings. It was one of the last events in her term of office, and it gave her great pleasure to be able to invite the St John Fellowship to the Guildhall.

A message from the Hospitaller of the Order was read and applauded:

Best wishes fo r a happ y day to all in the Fellowship from patients and staff of St John Ophthalmic Hospital Jerusalem a peaceful ha ve n which yo u have helped to keep alive'.

The usual agenda items followed.

Proposing the adoption of the annual report , th e chairman said there were now 95 Fellowship branches. News had just been received of the formation of two new chapters in Ontario , making four in a ll in Canada and eight branches overseas. The Fellowship was a success story. Twenty-one branches had bee n formed in Centenary Year , and 13 to date in 1988. The past year had seen three landmarks: The Annual General Meeting at St James 's Palace on May 6 1987, honoured by the presence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; The Great Party in Hyde Park, where the Fellowship tent had seen many happy reunions of old friends; and the grant of a Charter to the Fellowship in October signifying its recognition as a permanent branch of the Orderand all the time branches were making a positive contribut ion to th e work of St John in their own communities . The report was approved unanimously.

Two new branch representatives were elected unopposed to the Central Committee: Mr L. Evans, chairman of Harrow & District Branch, and Mr T Jeffery of Littlehampton Branch , West Sussex They joined the committee on the platform to applause.

General Gordon then rose to propose that the St John Fellowship sho uld make

a corporate donation to the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem. The Hospital had been badly hit by broken promises of support and was facing many problems during the current difficulties in Israel. He suggested that every branch might aim to raise a minimum sum of say, £20 (but hopefully more), to be sent to the National Secretary. Then on a suitable occasion a cheque would be presented from the Fellowship.

The resolution was seconded by Mrs Ruth Parks , former matron of the HospitaL who was warmly greeted. The resolution was approved with applause.

General Sir William Pike was then invited to speak He said it gave him great pleasure to be back with so many old friends, and to be in Southampton. Throughout his anny career Southampton had represented Coming Home , often after a long absence abroad. He thanked the Mayor for her inyitation today General Pike said he was delighted at the progress made by the Fellowship whose members were continuing to give useful service, especially in the welfare field. He felt that this would enhance the reputation of St John which the public often imagined to be capable of nothing but first aid. He wished the Fellowship every success as it expanded at home and overseas.

After members had raised some items to be referred to the Central Committee, the meetin g was wound up by our president, Lady Brecknock , who announced that the next AGM wou ld be held at Manchester. on Wednesday May 311989, at the kind invitation of Mr G. A King , chairman of Greater Manchester Branch.

The meeting was followed by tea during which Fellowship ties were on sale, organised by London Tran port Fellowship, and other itel11s at the Supplies stall. Happy reunions of old friends cont inu ed and the 5.08 train to Waterloo wa practically taken over by the Fellowship It was a great day 31

Morrison School, London.

rorld of St John The World of St John The World of St

Collette was there

Mrs Gawlle, Deputy County Commissioner, Cumbria, presented Nursing Cadet Collette Appleby , 12, of Grange over Sands Nursing Cadet Division , with a letter of commendation from the Commissioner-in-Chief for two meritorious incidents in the same month.

In the first, Collette calmly dealt with a panic situation when she helped an elderly lady who had had a heart attack at home. Collette responded quickly to a difficult situation and then looked after a baby and three small children , which was a great comfort to the ill lad y

LOOKING AHEAD

Jul 2: Brigade Finals Croydon.

Jul13-30: Roy a Tourn a ment , Earls Court.

Ju114: 1500 Inv estiture , St John 's Gate.

Jul 25: Kirov Ballet Spon so red b y AMEX (fund-raising event).

Aug 29 : Public Holiday.

Three weeks later , when the matron of a nursing home for elderly people fell sick and could not put five aged patients to bed, Collette supervised their needs, preparing beds and making them comfortable for t he night. The matron reported how helpful Collette had been and how expert1y she helped these old people.

The Commissioner-in-Chief congratulated Collette on her fine action, which compared favourably with what any adult could be expected to do and stated that she had been a fine example to her friends, the Division and the Brigade as a whole.

and presented them to the city's Lord Mayor and Mayoress to help aunch a fund-ra isi ng day for the

Collette has been a nursing cadet for three yea rs and her reaction and behaviour in these two incident s h as demonstrated the value of her training . (Photo below)

New Division

A new SJA division has been formed in Oswestry , Shropshire , after a lapse of two years with no division in the town. Membership consists of six adults 15

cadets and 25 badgers At the helm s Divisional Officer Pc Robert Thoma s, who was with the Market Drayton Divi sion until moving to n ea r Osw es try la st yea r.

Great Fellowship

Mike Raven Hampshir e PRO writes: I recently had th e honour of being invited to the AGM of the St John F e llowship held in the m ag nificent spl e ndour of th e Guild·

The World of St John The World of St John

hall , Southampton. The event was ho st e d by the Lord Mayor .of Southamptol: Councillor Mrs I. T. White , herself a Pre s Ident of a loc a St John Division. (Report on p.151).

Althou gh somewhat of an outsider, I could not help but b e impressed by the enthusiasm a nd pride of the members present particularly after of all their efforts over the pa s t year In fundraising and assisting at many St John activities nationwide. We shou ld a ll feel justly proud of them.

Following a sp lendid meal provided by the kind s ponsorship of Soth e by 's, the AGM chaired by the Major-General D. S. Gordon began in earnest. After th e acceptance of the minute s, annual report , e tc we were entertained by the thought s and reminiscences of th e principal guest speaker, Lt-G e n e ral Sir William Pik e, former Chief Commander of th e St John Ambulance On e had to wonder from where Gen era l Pik e gets his sta mina. In rounding up the proc eed in gs, the Co unt ess of Brecknock made s pecial mention of all th e people who h a d made the AGM such a success , in particular Mis s Sheila Puckl e, th e National Secretary, whose sterling efforts had be e n rewarded with the award of D a m e of th e Ord e r. A very well deserved r ecognitio n which I believ e brings much credit to the Fellowship. May I wish th e Fellowship all the very b est wishes a nd h ope that they continue to grow in s tr e ngth for man y years to com e.

Vacancy

There is a vacancy for a Chancery Assista nt at th e Order of St John , ba se d at the Headquarters of the Order at St John ·s Gate , Clerkenwell , London EC1M 4DA.

NEW BOY

Following the appointment of the new Dudley Area Pres dent, Giles Knowles (2nd from eft), Dudley presidents and vicepresidents held a dinner at Hagley, Wor cs. (L to R) John Sunderland , C-in-C Mr Knowles; Lesli e Jones , Dudley Area Vice-President Mrs Jayne Cadbury West Midlands President; Mrs Olwen Jones , Area Commis sio ner · Mrs Rosalind Steele, Area Secretary; and Mrs Margaret Jones Supt Stourbridge Cadets , who has Just returned from a 125-mil e Himalayan trek to raise fu nds forthe Ophthalmic Hospital.

Dr Terry Glanvili, 67, retired North Devon Area Commissioner hasn t retired from marathons yet. Here he is (and his picture made The Times) finishing this year's London Marathon in seven hours. Congratulations Terry (Photo: The Times)

The DirectorGeneral (centre), who is a forme r Surrey County Council l or, receives a £6,000 cheque for the Centenary Appeal f rom Surrey County Council Chairman Douglas Robertson , left is Dr Anthony Blowers, SJA Commander Surrey.

Some fifty Badgers carr ed 1,000 daffodils from the Minster to York's Mansion House

Marie Curie Found ation. Photo : Press Agency (Yorkshire).

Cumbria's Collette Appleby receives letter of commendation from Mrs Gawne, Deputy County Commiss ione r. See story COLLETIE WAS THERE.

Wandsworth Division president and Air Wing pilot , Keith Ewart, flew members (L to R) Alan Cook, 'Titch' Smith, Steve Hawkins and Carole Birkbeck to Hud dersfield Co -pilot was Bill Bailey.

If St John The World of St John The World of St John

World of St John

The World of St John

Bath's

Duties will include assisting the Superintending Clerk of the Order with the preparation of documents in connection with membership , keeping records of members and assisting at investitures and other ceremonies of the Order. Ideally the sucGessful candidate wiU possess some typing skills and training will be given in the use of other office machinery and the proGedures employed in the Chancery. This is a position which might ideally suit a schoolleaver and while some knowledge of the Order of St John and its Foundation is desirable, it is not essential. Salary negotiable according to age and experience in the region of £6,500 per annum. Applications should be made in the first instance to the Secretary of the Order , Order of St John, St John 's Gate , Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4DA or telephone 01-253 6644.

of

On September 3, SJA Mid-Berkshire Area and BAPS will be running the 5th National Ambulance Rally at the Windsor Safari Park, where this year a limit ed edition of a postal cover will be on sale

The envelope design shows an ambulance, the event's name and the logos of SJA and BAPS. The envelope will carry a St John stamp showing a litter in use (18p), and the date stamp will be 3 September 1988. The cover is available now at £1 each. Signed by the rally president and carried on the raUy and stamped as such will be 25p extra.

Cheques and postal orders made out to Mid-Berkshire SJA should be sent to Mr E. Hearne, 35 Devereux Road , Windsor, Berks SL4 1JJ.

100 mph Powerboats!

Neil Tucker , PRO Guernsey, writes: Staff of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service in Guernsey are involved in a wide range of marine activities to complement their full-time professional ambulance work.

With the 42-foot ambulance launch , inshore rescue boats , cliff rescue team and recompression centre, they are well known for providing a variety of land and sea rescue services to the people of the Channel Islands

They are now planning coverage of the world powerboat championships to be held in Guernsey in September , when up to 100 boats from all corners of the world will be competing in local waters - some at around 100 mph!

launch Flying Christine 11, and also tested new lifejackets and stretcher evacuation techniques.

The liferaft was inflated at a local school swimming pool and members of the crew were put through various drills to familiarise themselves with emergency survival procedures.

These included jumping off a springboard into the pool and swimming, fully clothed, to the liferaft. After hauling themselves onboard each member then had to leave the raft and swim back to the poolsid e for another turn. It was easy at first, but after three circuits the effort needed to haul oneself into the liferaft was considerable and demonstrated the exhausted state a survivor might be in by the time he reaches a liferaft.

Following this the method of righting an upturned liferaft was rehearsed, and each member was shown the procedure for conserving heat if a long wait is expected before rescue.

Another procedure which is more difficult than it looks is the method of hauling an unconscious casualty into the liferaft without overturning the dinghy. The crew members who are all professional ambulancemen who gave up their time voluntarily to take part in the training session, were each given the opportunity to practi se the procedure as well as acting as casualty.

While the pool was available, the opportunity was taken to examine methods of retrieving an injured casualty from th e water on a stretcher. The Guernsey service has recently looked at American and British stretchers for this purpose and took the chance of putting a Neil Robert son through its paces in such conditions for comparison.

The St John Ambulance and' Rescue marine crews will be heavily mvolved in providing safety and rescue for the world powerboat champlOnships , and some of the doctors who will.be at the event attended the training sessIOn to observe the methods.

Soccer Girls

I hear that Hainault Nursing Cadet team beat Becontr ee Ambulance Cadets 1-0 in the London Eastern Area five-a-side football competition. Well done, girls.

Guernsey members train with a liferaft in the swimming pool for this summer's coverage of the world powerboat championships.

See story 100 MPH POWERBOATS

Guard of

LONG WALK

Fund-raising in South and West Yorkshire's Calderdale Area. Halifax members take a break in their sponsored walk to Blackpool. Local divisions en route provided over-night accommodation And was it needed. Eiland Division held a sponsored car pull.

The Cyanamid Award, to be presented each year to a cadet for outstanding effort, is presented to Fareham Div's Supt Mrs G Richard and Div 's Pres Mr C. Wheeler by Cyanamid (UK) Manager Mr B. Davies (left). (Photo: The News, Portsmouth).

A recent training session involved th e use of a six-man inflatable liferaft which is carried on board the ambulance/rescue

TV personality Fred Wedlock, the new President of Avon's Timsbury Quad Division , receives his warrant from Area President, Mrs Naomi Buchanan, with Area Commissioner Lennard Burden (Photo: Myra Mered ith).

A

Honou r of Badgers and Cadets from Wadebridge Division, Cornwall, for the marriage of Nursing Member Sonia Dalley and James Buck. Best wishes Mr and Mrs Buck!

WElCOME MRS. H. PHilLIPS CHlEF PRESIDENT ST. JOHN AMBULANCE HQ 10 SElAMGOR COAST AREA. MALAYSlA

W ith State Officers at Klang n Selangor. (T he Commander-inChief, Encik E. Parama sivam, seated second eft.)

Chief President visits Malaysia

AT THE invitation of th e Commander-in-Chief in Malaysia, Mrs Harold Phillips spent two weeks in Malaysia durin g April h elping to celebrate the 80th anniversary of their foundation.

During a very full itinerary Mrs Phillips began with a call on the Minister of Health in Kuala Lumpur , who is also Deputy President of the St John Federal Council , and subsequent ly called on the Governor and Chief Minister of each State that she visited: Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak , Penang and Sabah. In addit ion , and most importantly time was found for her to see something of all aspects of St John work in Malaysia. Included were an officers' training seminar , an NCO cadet training course , hospitals with St John members on nursing duty, schools , a welfare project on a rubber plantation, national competitions between nine States and a university where students take a co-curriculum St John course in first aid.

Mrs Phillips returned from this visit heartened and inspired by what she had seen. She also speaks e nthu siastically about the warm and generous ho s pitali ty she received thoug h o ut the trip. These photographs tell some of the tory.

the Br igade on parade in Malacca.

(Below) At National HQ in Kuala Lump ur with their first ambulaflce. On left , Dr Low Bin Tick , State Commafl(iler Selangor and Deputy Commander-in-Chie f.

(Below right ) Dr Balasubramaniam , State Commander in Negeri Sembi lan, taking the welfare c lini c at the Kepaya ng Esta te Welfare Project

With cadets at Seremban, and their officer Mr Tam Seng Kow

(Right) Meeting cadets at St Paul 's Schoo l, Seremban, with Brothe r Michael Kum, the Headmaster

(Above) The Brigade treating a 'v ctim at a mock air disaste r at Subang International Airport, Kuala Lumpur. Note hard hats

(Above) Students at Sa in University, Penang , taking the home-nursing course.

(Left ) With cadets at Klang Selangor.

With the Acting St ate Commander Sabah , Y B. Tuan Haji Jasmie Gindung the C-in-C , and Sab ah officers.

Meeting the Deputy Chief Minister, Sa bah

1 When removing a jacket you should:

a. Start with the njured limb

b. Start with the uninjlJred limb

2. To CQnvert a triangula r bandage into a NARROW bandage , how many folds should you make?

a. One b. Two c. Three

7.

5. Choking may be caused by muscular spasm :

c Begin resuscitation

INVESTITURE

Ron

Wini

um b ri a)

Ma ga e t Mi ss H e t heri ngto n (G t r M a nches e r )

James Hi ggi ns (L a n cs )

Co lon e l J o hn Ed mo n d H i ll T D (Lo n don)

James A s hwo rth H obbs MB B S ( Bu c k )

Maur ee n Mi H o ld e n (L a n c )

Patri c a J oa n Mrs H o rn e ( Bu c ks)

Willi am R o b e rt Hu g h e (Oxo n

Marth a E I e Mr H arri s SEN (Co D u rh a m

Kathl ee n M rs Humphri es ( L a n cs)

IN MY PREVIOUS articl e An Approach to A sse ssm e nt (Jan 19 88 R eview), I suggest e d a w a y that le arn e r and teacher might use the video record e r a s a teaching aid In ord e r to get the gre a te t benefit. The variOus st e ps includ e d clari fyin g the facts allowing the subject to mak e th e first observa tions follow e d b y the obs erver mentioning the good points first and then making rec ommend a tion a nd not criticisms I also suggested that there wa s a wider application of th e se points wlthm everyday life.

Having established a method for giving feedback we now have to look at what it is we are assessing. Most of us are awar e of the type of marking used in first aid and nursing competitions Such marking sheets generally give us an idea of the quantity' of care that is given; but wh a t of the quality of care ? To measure thi it is nece.ssary to analyse the elements of what an Ideal encount e r with a patient or might include. Once again, my Ideas are very substantially based on the Work .of Pendleton, et ai, who applied their Cntena to the doctor/patient consultation. In assessing th e quality of ca re , no lon ger are only the actions of th e first-aid e r

M a rri ott (C umbri a) Ka thl ee n Mrs M a rri o tt , SR ( C umb a)

Marga r e Mrs Martin ( H e rt s) S e lla L o ui se. Mrs M aso n (St J o hn s G ate)

D o nald Hu g h M ac L eo d M a th eso n St affs)

J oa n Sh e il a Mrs M e llor ( W Midl a nd s)

C hri s to ph e r R obe r Mil es ( D orse t) L y nd a Mrs M oo re (No m )

P a ulin e, Mrs Mudge (D evo n ) M a r ga re Ma ry M rs Ne ill Gtr M a n c hes te r )

D o o th y Fa irw ea th e Mrs P a rn aby ( o rthum b ri a)

J ose phin e Lil y. Mrs Pi e dot ( Su ssex)

G e r a ld K e ith Pil k in g to n ( L o nd o n ) D e n ise M ary M rs Po tt e r (D o r se )

Eli za b e th W e nd y Mrs Powe ll ( Y o rk s)

M a rj o ri e Mrs

THE QUALITY OF CARE

by Dr CLIFFORD C. SMITH MB,BS, MRCGP, DRCOG,DCH Deputy Commissioner, Berkshire

considered , but attention is paid to the patient as well. Their ideas , concerns and expectations are most rel e vant as is their involvement in any treatment. We ma y, as first-aid ers , be excellent in our application of bandages , but sadly we are not alwa ys as good in the way that we communicate with our patients.

The elements of an ideal encounter may be list e d as follows:

l. Introduction by first-aider.

2. Identification of patient.

3. Nature and history of the problems.

4. Aetiology (cause) and diagnos is.

5 Patient's ideas.

6. Patient's concerns

7. Patient's expectations.

8. Effects of the problem. 9. Promotion of health and health care. 10 Action taken. 11. Sharing understanding 12. Involving in management.

At the very outset it must be stressed that not all these elements will be present in every encounter and that their absence will not make that particular encounter an y less ideal. It ma y be that in a given situation it is not appropriate to include a particular point ; the casualty could be unconscious On the other hand, if the encounter is one of a series of encounters between the same patient and first-aider , not all the elements \\rill be used on every occasion. The list given above in no way reflects a pattern which the encounter must follow ; neither should the first-aider deliberately go out of his way to raise a point which may not have been appropriate to that encounter.

Let us briefly look a little closer at the various elements

(Left) John Mutimer, of Purley, London S.w. Area deputy commiss ioner who joined the Brigade as a cadet in 1952, is invested as

Officer

(Right) Clifford Bowman, of he SJA Air Wing and a past president of Chingford Ambulance Cadet Division, becomes a Serving Brother.

A PRO's DAY OUT

At 9 am, on Wednesday April 20 I was arriving at Brighton Polytechnic, for what was entitled a 'Media Matters' conference.

The day was organised by Television South for voluntary and community groups to consider ways in which they might more effectively make use of all forms of the media. Out of approximately 150 delegates, I was surprised to find that I was the only representative of St John, especially considering that publicity and advertising are of major concern to all of us in the Brigade.

The day started with coffee, followed by an introduction by Lord Boston, chairman of TVS. Then some sound tips were put across by various media people, including Hugh Geach from TVS Community Unit, Chris Carnegy from Ocean Sound Radio and Terry Page, editor of the Brighton Evening Argus, who unfortunately used an incident involving St John Ambulance as an example of how NOT to deal with the press! All delegates were then split into prearranged groups to attend three workshops: (a) The Television Interview, (b) The Radio Interview, (c) Writing an effective Press Release. Media personnel were on hand at each workshop to guide discussion and give advice. I would like to pass on some points about writing a press release which came across most strongly throughout the day:

1. DEADLINES - Check first.

2. FACTS - Include all details, Christian names , etc.

3. KEEP IT SIMPLE - Short and to the point avoid being funny (that's what they said!).

4. CONTACTS - In case of queries, make sure that the paper can contact someone at any time.

5. TYPE IT - On A4 paper with margins for notes, and at least double line spacing.

6. CHECK SPELLING!

The day was wound up at about 4.30 pm, and I'm sure all delegates went home thinking as I do now, that the 'Media' is not such an intangible alien as I always thought. It is there to be used, so let's all try to get our message across. After all , without us the media wouldn't exist.

Crawley, West Sussex Kim Godwin , PRO

BEAT THIS!

Through the Review I would like to ask superintendents of cadet divisions if they can beat the following.

We have quite a large Nursing Cadet Division at Halesowen, West Midlands, and for the past 12 years on completion of my returns I have been able to select the cadet who has attended the most meeting nights and early in the new year I award a cup for her efforts.

For the last five years I have awarded the cup to Corporal Sarah Russell. In fact, over the five years since joining Sarah has missed only six meeting nights. Is there any other cadet who has done better than this? By the way, the six nights she missed were always early in the year, when snow has stopped her getting to our HQ.

Halesowen Judith Morris, DIS

MOUTH- TO-MOUTH

Div Supt M. H. Green of Winchester (May Review) may be interested to know that mouth-to-mouth ventilation is recorded much longer ago than 150 years - in fact about 2,900 years ago. Elijah who lived in the 9th century BC revived the son of the widow of Zaraphath when the boy stopped breathing. The story is recorded in I Kings 17 verses 17 to 24, part of which reads as follows:

He took the boy from her arms and carried him up to the roof chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed. Then he called out to the Lord, '0 Lord my God, is this thy care for the widow with whom I lodge, that th(i)u hast been so cruel to

162

letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation.

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

her son?' Then he breathed deeply upon the child three times and called on the Lord, '0 Lord my God, let the breath of life, I pray, return to the body of this child.' The Lord listened to Elijah's cry, and the breath of life returned to the child's body , and he revived. There is a similar incident recorded in II Kings 4 verses 32 to 37 , where Elisha revived the son of a woman of Shunem by breathin g into him seven times. This was also in th e 9th century Be.

London N21

Kathleen Hipkin s WANTED

Could I through the Review ask fellow members for he lp as I am trying to collect pre-World War II items for a displa y.

The items I would like help with are as fo llows : Dress Regulations Pictures of Uniforms , etc.

Uniforms to borrow and copy Diagrams of litter typ e stretcher.

And any other items that would be of interest on a displ ay stand.

All items borrowed would be returned in good condition Please write to me at 9 Belle Vue Gardens, Shrewsbury, or telephone 074350216.

Shrewsbury Penw ern Di v Chris Da v ies, Divisional S ec retary

WERE YOU THERE?

I am anxious to trace any St John personnel who reported (as I did) to Millbank Hospital , London , from the St John Hospital Reserve during World War Two. Also anyone who served in the 43rd General Hospital , about which I have just written a book.

9 Beverley Road Southall , London UB24EF R.1. Meads

Editor: Mr Meads book A Reservist's War and the 252 is published by Merlin Books Ltd , 40 East St, Braunton Devon , price £2.95.

DID YOU SEE?!

At the roadside in Strood , Kent , during th e Spring Bank Holiday , a lady holding a man upside-down and bashing him on his back?

Was she a judo expert defending herself from some molester? No. She was a wife carrying out first aid on her husband He had a sweet lodged in his throat and being in despair and a state of paniC he stood on his head in an attempt to dislodge it. His wife then grabbed his feet and started thumping him on the back. It did the trick. But did the head -s tand help ? We do not know. It 'wo uld' have made a good picture!

N.B. The first-aider needed treatment for 'shock' afterwards! Amersham Fellowship Joan Woodbridge

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Community Care Awards

THE FULL details of the Whitbread Community Care Awards 1988 have been sent to counties but I would like to remind all officers and members that completed nomination forms must reach Whitbread Community Care Awards, Manchester , by Monday September 19 1988 at the latest.

Nomination forms may be obtained together with posters from the: Superintendent-in-Chief's Department , St John Ambulance , 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWIX 7EF. Jeanne Mercer Chief Welfare Officer

The Quality of Care (from p.161).

1. Introduction by First-Aider 'Nobody move! Keep still! I'm a firstaider! '

Apart from competitions, do we really introduce ourselves in that way? At a public duty a casualty may well refer himself to a first-aider or a first aid post, or an ambulance. He will have been able to identify us by our uniform , badges , logos etc, with the hop e of finding help. A smiling face , cheerful greeting , e nquiry as to whether you can be of help , and giving of our first name, can be so reassuring. We should nev er assume that we hav e some extraordinar y right that aUows us to place hands on a casualty without first seekIng his permission. In a situation in which casualty is unconscious , the introductIOn should be made to the bystanders and to the casualty himself as soon as he regains consciousness. When not in uniform it will be our knowledge and skills that distinguish us as first-aiders , and the professional approach will bring a degree of authority to the situation.

2 Identification of.patient

It IS almost second nature for a first-aider to re cord name , address and age, but this proVIdes only the barest of essential details. Often the prolonged encounteraccompanying a patient to hospital or nurth.em in a first aid post or at homeWIll bnng to light more information about this gained in casual conversation. earnlllg about their family home , occupation , hobbies and experiences enables us to build up a detailed picture of patient and so identify them as tndlVlduals with needs rather than anonymous 'broken legs' or' 'strokes' who have already become depersonalised.

3. Nature and history of the problems

This relies on our knowledge of first aid and is one of the areas in which the firstaider can perform well , in seeking out the sequence of events that has befallen the casualty, and always remembering what may have happened to the casualty in the past.

4. Aetiology and diagnosis

The next logical step is the deduction that we make from the history. In many cases the aetiology may be obvious and also account for the diagnosis -a bee sting , or a finger cut by a knife need no great diagnostic acumen. Now and again we are confronted by a more testing situation - is the patient 's confused state caused by the known diabetes, in which case is it hypoglycaemia, or is it a stroke? We often run into the problem of trying to be too exact in our diagnosis , when a more general working diagnosis is perhaps more relevant. When dealing with an unconscious casualty it is a challenge to make some attempt to demonstrate the aetiology , but will that actually significantly affect our management?

5. The patient's ideas

So far the first-aider has been actively responsible for achieving the tasks set out above. The last point discussed was seeking for the aetiology and diagnosis. The patient may well have his own views on what has caused his incapacity and what is wrong with him.

I always get an asthma attack when I'm near dogs.

It 's another heart attack. It s just like my last one.

I think it's only a bruise because I can move my leg.'

Before we can help any patient we must listen to what they have to say. They are the experts in matters relating to their bodies.

{{To recognise ordinary people with extraordinary resources of care for their communityJ J

6. The patient's concerns

If their ideas were important , then their concerns are imperative. The middle-aged man with chest pain and vomiting may well only have indigestion , but if his anxiety is that he has had a coronary thrombosis then we must seek to offer appropriate reassurance. So often glib mention is made of reassurance , ' Don ' t worry, it'll be all right'. But how can we provide that effectively if we do not know where the patient's anxieties lie in the first place?

7. Patient's expectations

If during a public duty a casualty approaches a uniformed member seeking help , it may be assumed that he has subconsciously a set of standards to which the member must conform regarding his first aid knowledge. It is reasonable for the casualty to expect a correct diagnosis to be made , the correct treatment to be applied and if possible his return to his previous situation unimpaired. An athlete at a sporting event may expect to be able to compete following such an incident. Others with more major injuries may realistically appreciate that further medical care , and a period of incapacity will necessarily follow. Some with trivial injuries may be over anxious , or lack confidence in the first-aider and demand what might seem an unnecessary medical opinion , while yet others , wishing to deny the existence of severe injury , may refuse medical attention aU together. Whatever the situation, the role of the first-aider is to help the casualty come to realistic terms with his incapacity once his expectations are understood

8. Effects of the problem

These may be closely allied to the patient's expectations. Will the athlete be able to compete following treatment? Will the father be able to provide for his family? Will the student s studying be interrupted?

Jeanne Merce

NEWS from SCOTLAND

National First Aid Competitions

St John Day parade

This year's parade will be led by the Southwark Corps of Drums and the Northants Corps of Drums following.

Federation committee

Chairman Hawes (National HQ)

Vice-chairman David Minney (Southwark)

Area representatives

Northern Peter Butcher (Dronfield)

Central Ken Robinson (Northants)

George Beeby (Wilnecote)

Southern Brenda Knight (St Audries)

PRO David Rees (Hampshire)

Festival

It was suggested that the Federation should organise a St John Band Festival. The venue would probably be Birmingham and date during October 1989. The festival would not be a contest or a competition. The idea is to have a mass entrance, with all the band s playing together. Then each band would give a 10 minute display. At the end of the day there would be a grand finale. Any bands who did not attend the AGM who are in the proposal should get in touch with David Minney.

Band loss

In the early morning of April 5 19 87

Northants bandmaster Ken Robin so n was awoken by a call from the police saying that the SJA HQ containing all the band eq uipment and uniforms had been gutted by fire. A

SJA Music Makers AGM

few days later Ken learned that their band had been c ho sen to escort th e Dl'lchess of Gloucester at t h e Hyde Park Great Party! An insurance claim for their instruments was settled by May 2 a nd Moore a nd Stanworth , of Leicester, pulled out all the stops to get the band supplied with n e w instruments. On June 20 the band appeared at Hyde Park , complete with instrument and uniforms. Well done , lads.

Band contest

The Surrey Corps of Drums was the only SJ A band to take part in the Kingston Youth Band contest on April 16, to finish fourth in their section. Well done , Tim and the band.

Badges A n ew su ppl y of band badges is now ava ilable. Drummer , bugle and musician 's badges are £1.50 each. In silver wire , Bandm as t er's are £4.60 and Assistant Bandmaster 's £4.30 each. They are avai lable from Ken Robinson 39 De Ferneus Drive Raunds Northants NN9 6SU, phone 0933 62438.

CADET FOCUS

Band reforming

The West Midlands is trying to refor m its county band so they will be looki ng for instruments a nd uniforms (ie b e lt s, lanyards etc). So if anyone knows of such e quipmen; for sa e, please let me know so I can pass on the info rmation.

Cassettes

A SJA centenary cassette of carols Christmas tunes and the new centenary march, composed and a rranged by Gra ham Kitchen, Southport 'S mu ical dir ec to r, is availab e price £3 fro m Gra ham Kitchen, c/o Les McLaugham , 4 Con ston Court, Windermere Crescent Southport , Merseyside PR8 3QT.

Music Makers page

Of late little ha s appeared in the Review about SJA band s because

for publication should be sent to me at the address below 73 Grosvenor Road A{dershot Hanls GUll 3DZ Phone 0252 330916 David Rees Federation PR O

The Quality of Care (from p.163).

We can think of the effect of t h e pro bl em i n three ways.

1. What the effect of the problem has on t h e individ u al.

2. What the effect of the problem has on th e family of the casua lty, and those cl ose to h im.

3. What effect the problem may have on th e co m m u nity in which the casua lty lives

Th is is h ardly appropriate in the case of a bee sting, b u t consider the effects of a heart a tt ack on a midd le-aged h u sband and fat h er who runs his own small engineering works, wit h 20 emp loyees. What does the fu t ure ho ld for him? Will his children be simi l ar ly affected? Can he cont inue to pay h is mort gage? Who will run the company and secure the work con tracts? These q u es t io n s although rhetorical here, sho ul d be given consideration in real life.

9 Promoti o n of hea lth and health

ca r e I have long disliked the term 'First Aid' in t h e CQntext in which we generally use it , an d p referred the term 'Emergency Care'.

( I will acce p t Emergency Aid t h er efore as a h app y me d ium!)

F ir st ai d is prevention.

Pr eve n tion takes place at three levels.

Leve l l. Prevention directed at the entire pop u lation, everyone being potentially at an equal risk: eg, hygiene, clean liness, safety in the home and on the road, advice regarding smoking , drugs and a lcohol consumption, immunisation programmes, etc.

Level 2. Advice for those already in a category which has been identified as being at a greater risk than normal: eg, the increased risks that smokers have regarding lung cancer , heart disease, bronchitis, etc.

Level 3 Advice for those who already have a particular condition, to enable them to live healthier lives. Many of the 'self-help' groups provide this role.

If we are First-Aiders' , we must also regard ourselves as health educationalists and be active in a preventativ e capacity

We are already renowned for our instruction to the pub lic , perhaps a role in prevention is not so far displaced.

An explanation of the treatment given to a casu alty might even allow for the casualty to cope with a similar situation should it ever arise in the future (Leve l 3).

This is just the tip of the iceberg of formal health education

10. Action taken

This covers the examination and the standard treatment with which we should all be familiar, learnt in our Divisions and read in the first aid and nursing textbooks Again this is a task which the member should be able to accomplish efficiently.

11. Sharing understanding

I have mentioned above the need to our actions to the so that .he mIght be able to cope With a simi lar situation ; but h e also has tb e right to know what is being done to him and why especially if the examination or treatmen t is restrictive in its nature. It is no less than what we ourselves would expect.

12. Involving in management

Once a casualty can understand what is being he can more readily accept responSIbilIty for further care - lying still and in one position when asked ; the changing of dressings at home surg e ry or hospital. He will know wh e n to se ek further medical advice or just b e r e a ssured that what he is enduring is to be expected in that particular instance.

I hav e tried to identify tho se e lements necessary in an ideal encounter with a patient or casualty You ma y have forgotten at this point that originally I wa s appl ying this mode l for use in video assessment and teaching I hope that the wider applications are plain for all to see

My next article will deal with a meth od of recording these results

Reference

Pendleton, D, Schofield T , Tate , P, and Havelock P (1984) The Consu ltation - (Oxford Genera l Practice Series 6) Oxford University Press.

shy. (3) 23. One rent as appearing in the intestines . (7).25 A great example is 27 Down. (6). 28. Mirthful chang e in art (5 ) .31. One 's state of mind. (4) 32. Father in acute physical discomfort. (4) .34

Receiving treatment with equanimity ? (7). 35. Ext e nsor offorearm (7). 36. Produce cut in passage between lacrimal glands an d conjunctival sac. (4-4) 37. Small class taking responsib ility for convulsive muscular contractions. (6).

Down:

1. Dried net for fibre conveying impulses into n e rve cell. (8) 2. Principal bile pigment. (9). 3 Controls amount of li ght e ntering the eye. (4). 5. Insusceptibility to disease which may be na tural or acquired. (8). 6 Only sister has gradual diminution of fev e r. (5 ).7. Enthusiastic praise from an ape. (5). 8. A te s t pertaining to th e upper chambers of the heart (6). 9 Tissue flu id (5) 15 P eriod of history in Veracruz. (3). 16. Cripp led by male di sord e r. (4) 18 Male progeny. (3). 19 Appraise a skin blemish (4) 20. Section in the Obstetrics Department. (9). 21. Type of surgery from comic se t. (8). 22. Coloration due to lack of oxygen in the blood (8). 24. Coloration due to exposure to ultra-violet radiation (3) 26. Axilla (6) 27 A rota change in large vessel. (5). 2 9 Air ca viti es lightening bone. (5). 30. Trace end to fashion. (5). 33. C a rminative which can make many ill (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No 6 (88 )

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.7 (88) by W A. Po tt er Across: 1. Anaphylactic; 9. Emphysema ; 10. U lcer ; 11. Rare ; 12. Rena l ; 13 . M-is·s ; 16. Denta l ; 17. Pellagra ; 18 St e nosis ; 21. Douche; 24. Even; 25 Apr·on; 26. Cell; 29. Chart ; 30 Sensation ; 31. Cheyne-Stokes. Ac ross:

1. L itter d ist urbin g b rides (6). 4. Seeing do u ble. (8). 10. Inva lidity. (7). 11. P hysiotherapist uses arm strangely. (7). 12. Unusua l association of artist a n d e n gineer. (4). 13. Begin a compound fr aGture. (4) 14. Girl goes b ack to sout h-east for a purgative. (5). 17 Ar t e ri es whic h may be fe lt a t the ank le. (6). 18. Distensib le organ of di gest ive syste m (7). 21. Army company is provocative ly

168

Down: 1. Aspirin ; 2 Amy·l ; 3. Heeled; 4. Leakage ; 5. Ca uL 6. Itching; 7. Recrudescence; 8. Prostate gland ; 14. Razor ; 15 Blood ; 17. Pus; 19. Eye -wash; 20. Imp·ass·e; 22. Cretins ; 23. Horn·en; 27. Stay; 28. Pack.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS 23

10 DAY TOURS TO AUSTRIA- FRANCE ITALY & NORWAY

AUSTRIA- Staying in the Lech Valley ITALY - Staying in the Martel Valley FRANCE - Staying in the Gorgesdu Tarn NORWAY - Staying in the ' village of Hallingdal

All our centres offer an excellent base for excursions, sports activities, and in the field training. Have you ever thought of using a foreign tour as a base for Duke of Edinburgh ,Award activities, open water safety training, or mountain rescue techniques, many of our groups did this year. Climbing, canoeing, caving and two- and three-day expeditions are possible, so ring us now to find out more.

Staying in purpose-built houses with all food, travel, insurance and a local pick-up included in the price you'll find us great value for money. Last year the

St John in the Front Line I became a

in

(Aeromedical) The

JOHN MILLS, Director of Public Relations

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

Continuing the theme of ACTION, here are some interesting national statistics (where appropriate you may wish to use figures that relate to your area) illustrating the scale and scope of St John activities:

DID YOU KNOW

That St John Ambulance vehicles travelled over 2 million miles in this country during the last year alone?

DID YOU KNOW

That the St John Ambulance Air Wing has flown an equivalent distance to 20 times round the equator?

DID YOU KNOW

That 20,000 children have received St John first-aid training in schools?

DID YOU KNOW

That nearly 200,000 St John Ambulance certificates were issued last year?

COVER

ST JOHN IN THE FRONT LINE

MEMBERS from six Divisions in Belfast Area were first on th e scene in two recent bomb explosions in Northern Ireland. On May 19 , twelve members were on dut y at two first aid po sts at the Spring Agricultural Show at Balmoral showgrounds, the scene of last year's centenary review by Lady Westbury. Shortly after 8pm a terrorist bomb wrecked the police recruitment stand and started a fierce fire. One of the FAPs was only thirty metres away and the eight members on duty rushed out. Fortunately the six police officers manning the stand were able to get out alive, but they suffered burns and blast injuries. The most severe casualty was a chief inspector who received injuries to his head and severe burns on his arms as a result of his flack-jacket melting.

Four members on duty at the show ring also hurried to the scene

to render assistance, by which time the Red Cross, off-duty doctors and the rescue services were there. In spite of exp loding ammunition and the th reat of a seco nd explosion, six police officers and a half a dozen civilian casualties were treated for fractures, burns and shock before being conveyed to hospital , six of them in two St John ambulances.

On June 15 a St John ambulance was on duty at the fun run at Lisburn when a terrorist bomb exploded under a vehicle carrying six soldiers back to barrack s. Our ambulance took the one badly injured soldier who survived the blast to hospital but he died that evening.

The members involved in the two incidents were from Area Staff Cliftonville, Dundonald , HQ Transport , Lisburn, Ormeau and West Belfast Divisions.

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

THE FOLLOWING members of the Order of St John have been awarded honours not necessarily connected with the Order:

KBE

Surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir Godfrey

Milton- Thompson, Ministry of Defence

OBE J. J. Tauvasa, Commander St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea.

Mrs A. M. Acland, Commander, Hertfordshire

MBE

Miss E. GleadJe-Richards , CSO (Special R esponsibilities) Gloucestershire

MBE

Mrs Hilary Broughton , Chief Training Officer , St John Ambulance, Honiara , Solomon Islands

DID YOU KNOW

That St John Ambulance is active in 38 countries throughout the world?

DID YOU KNOW

That overall membership of St John Ambulance Brigade in the UK has gone up from 62 ,000 to 80 ,000 including Badgers?

DID YOU KNOW

That the number of out-patients treated by St John Ophthalmic Hospital rose by around 3 ,000 last year?

StJohnWeek p 170

8t John Raffle p.172

Running

Caring for your Nursing Officer p.184

Letters p.186

News from Scotland - Wales - N. Ireland p 188

SJA Fel owsh ip - Competitions p.189

News from Divisions/Centres p 190

Care in the Community p.191

The four Christian virtues (1): Prudence

2

poll will be compiled during the summer , and then be used as a basis for a campaign to publicise first-aid courses in the autumn.

(Above) 8-year-old

the SJ first-aid questionnaire to find out what the public knows about the subject.

S1 JOHN WEEK

St Paul's Service

sr JOHN Week began on Friday , June 24 , St John's Day , with the Lord Prior's Reception, held this year at St James's Palace in the presence of HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

The annual General Assembly of the Order of St John was held on the morning of Saturday , June 25 , at the Mansion House attended by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Greville Spratt , and was followed in the afternoon by the annual service of commemoration and rededication at St Paul s Cathedral , attended by HRH The Princess Margaret.

Wearing her Order mantle , the Princess attended the service in her capacity as Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John Two hundred and fifty Knights and Dames of the Order , some 1 ,000 Brigad e membe rs from throughout the country , representatives from around the world , and appro ximately 1 ,000 members of the Order , form e d the congregation The Venerable Eric Evans , Dean of St Paul s , officiated and th e address wa s given by the Primate of All Ireland, the Archbishop of Armagh.

On Wednesday , 29 June , HRH The Prince ss Margare t attend e d th e St John Ambulance Presidents Conference at which delegates were addressed by a variety of speakers including the Duke of Westminster, Pre sident of London D istrict , and Viscount Tonypandy , former Speaker of the House of Commons. Attended by over 300 presidents from throughout the country , the day was a great success.

The Brigade Finals first aid competition was held on Saturda y, Jul y 2 , at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Teams from all over the country competed for the four magnificent trophies , and a chance to compete in the Grand Prior s Trophy Competition in December. (Report in next issue .)

event which took place around the country during St John Week was Wiltshire s mass (80 000) baUoon race , organised in conjunction with Renault UK , on Saturday , July 2. The British record for a balloon race was previously 68 ,000 balloons

We have lift-off! Wiltshire St John Ambulance Commander , Brigadier John Badley (centre) , Renault UK PR Director Toivo Kaasik (left) Renault Centre Manager Bob Gibbon get the Great Renault Balloon Race off to a flying start.

St John RAFFLE

THE ST JOHN nationwide raffle is now well under way! Requests for raffle tickets are flooding into National Headquarters.

Remember that all monies raised from the sale of raffle tickets are kept by the county or divisions. Please do not send money to National Headquarters.

On the morning of December 7 1988 , the draw will take place at National Headquarters and a fabuJous range of prizes is awaiting the lucky winners. Here is a list of the prizes to date.

PRIZES

1st Prize - Ford Fiesta

2nd

Inchlding flight and accommodation in two or three

with private facilities and continental breakfast. Leaving London Friday evening and returning Sunday evening. Dates subject to availability. Generously donated by Clermont Travel Ltd

lrd Prize - Fly/drive weekend to France

Including flight and car but no accommodation. Leaving London on Friday and return on Monday Dates subject to availability. Generously donated by Clermont Travel Ltd.

Please ensure that all counterfoils are returned to National Headquarters by Wednesday, November 231988. Contact Centenary Appeal Department with requests for raffle tickets and posters and any further information you may require at:

CENTENARY APPEAL

Manufacturers evening out in London

BOB BRAZIER , vice-chairman of Kidderminster-based Midland Carpet Di stributors, handing over a cheque for £12,100 (above) to Lord We stbury for the Centenary Appeal at the House of Lords on May 20. The evening was the idea of Michael

Abrahams, who is covering the manufacturing sector for th e Duke of Westminster's committee and is the first in a series of evenings planned to raise money from this sector

The evening s entertainment began wi th cocktails at the House of Lords and included

LUNCH

RUNNING FOR I ST JOHN

FLETCHER, 14, was invited to attend the Gift of Sight ' luncheon held at the Savoy Hotel on Tuesday , Ma 31 , in the presence of HRH Princess Alice and HM Queen Noor Al Hussein of Jordan, to raise funds for the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem Lucy, from Wood Hall Spa, Lincolnshire, is only too aware of the value of the gift of sight, having had her eyes operated on by Sir Stephen Miller, Hospitaller of the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem. She is now helping to raise funds to enable the hospital to continue its valuable work in the Middle East. Farmer's daughter Lucy lists able to cook as well as Keith Floyd as her greatest ambition , and so is sure to appreciate the Savoy cuisine.

Over 400 people attended the lunch , which raised at leas £50,000. Lucy presented HRH Princess Alice, patron of the Ladies' Guild of the hospital, and HM Queen Noor witn bouquets.

LAST OCTOBER , National HQ's centenary appeal department , which allocates SJA entries for the London Marathon, was inundated by runners requesting a place in the 1988 event to raise money for St John. In the 1987 event runners were asked to try to raise £500 each, and a total of £19,000 was finally received. Runners who achieved or got very near this figure were given a place in the 1988 event with the remaining places going on a first come basis, but particularly if they were SJA members. (The department is already receiving requests for the 1989 London Marathon!)

The appeal department also allocated SOliIle places to companies who are regular St Jolm supporters , so that they could

(Right) Rocco Forte (left) hands a £2,000 cheque to Lord Westbury which he won as a bet with Barry Hearn (right) by beating him by 29 seconds in the London Marathon

enter a company team. This has proved very successful and from a four-strong Trusthouse Forte team, which includes the company's chief executive , Rocco Forte (pictured, on the left, with Lord Westbury and Barry Hearn, manager of snooker star Steve Davis) they hope to receive sponsorship in excess of £12,000, donated b y THF staff and Mr Forte's personal contacts.

So far 37 of the 83 London Marathon 1988 runners have sent in a total of £17,000. Gathering sponsorship money after an event can be a slow process and the final amount may not be known until the autumn. However , they hope a total of £30,000 will be raised for the St John Ambulance Brigade centenary appeal.

In addition, the appeals department has advertised in athletics magazines for runners to enter marathons and fun runs throughout the country for St John and they have received many requests for the specially designed centenary appeal sponsorship forms and teeshirts. These entries

SJA marathon runners - Portsmouth members Paul Taylor (left) and Dean James

As many counties and divisions must already be aware, considerable funds can be raised by people entering sponsored sporting events. And with St John Ambulance members covering many of these events, this is an ideal opportunity for participants to raise money for the organisation that looks after them!

an eveni n g at the theatre followed by dinner at a West End restaurant. The evening was organised by Bob Brazi er of MCD as an event for his suppliers and was a great succe ss.

either run on behalf of the local St John Ambulance or National HQ.

New training centre for Cornwall

IN 1983, it became apparent, because of increased demand for First Aid at Work training, that SJA Cornwall needed a purpose -built training centre. Courses were being held in hotel rooms, which was proving very costly. A feasibility study showed that action was needed. No Brigade headquarters in Cornwall met the requirements of the Health & Safety Executive for ho lding day release courses.

Appeal launched

So an appeal was launched and after a thorough study of various buildings it was decided to use a unit type construction and Lessers Building Systems, of Verwood, Dorset, were given the contract. £60,000 was needed for the building with two lecture rooms, 40 ft x 20 ft, a reception hall, office, kitchen, toilets and a store. By Jan u ary 71984 the money had been raised, and the building was in use It was officially opened by the Countess Mountbatten of Burma on July 4 1984. The County Direct or appreciates the very generous help given in this project by ECC International Ltd, in providing a site, t he Goonvean & Restowrack China Clay Co, for site preparation work and to various charitable trusts, businesses, industries and individuals. A gift of £1,500 from the Edwina Mountbatten Trust provided r ather splendid desk -type chairs. With the project comp lete, the Association in Cornwall now had a superb headquarters

174

£60,000 and then another £28,000 completed the project

and a training centre from which to operate.

But between January 1984 and January 1987 there was a 50% increase in the number of people for training and it was obvious that an extension to the HQ was required if we were to maintain our business as the leading first aid training organisation in Cornwall. The office needed to be enlarged , the kitchen facilities were inadequate, and more lecture room space was required. After carrying out another feasibility study it was decided

Costs of extension earned from

industrial courses

to extend the existing building at a cost of £28,000. This would give an additional office, enlarged kitchen, a room for the instructors, a new store, and another splendid lecture room 20 ft x 40 ft A further grant of £1,500 was received from the Edwina Mountbatten Trust for 30 more desk-type chairs. The £28,000 came from money earned from industrial courses and in addition to this the Association has given £4,000 a year to the Brigade in Cornwall.

The extension has proved invaluable and

ON AEROMEDICAL SERVICE FOR

I became a house prisoner in Iran

says MARGARET WELLER, now Area President, East Berks

READING the newspapers today, it is difficult to believe that Iran was ever a place where one could move around with comparative freedom , although even in the recent past it appears to have had its limitations.

A few months before the revolution in Iran , I was asked to take a patient back to the country following specialised treatment in a London hospital. His condition was such that he had had three operations , and had tben needed renal dialysis. His family assured tbe consultant in London that they had arranged for an ambulance to be at the airport, and that be would be admitted to a hospital in Teheran

To counteract tbe patient's need for dialysis while travelling , I was requested to give bourly injections witbout fail - dressings and drugs being provided by the hospital.

it is now common practice to run two courses simultaneously.

The training centre with adequate car parking space and landscaped with fir trees, etc, now provides a superb place for all SJA training activities , including ambulance driving tests and instruction for the Brigade , county seminars and meet· ings, and FA W courses. The centre is fully equipped with all training aids, including video etc, and the beautifully decorated and carpeted rooms provide excellent surroundings for candidates to learn first aid.

The extension was officially opened by the Director-General of the Association , Robert Balchin, on April 30 1988.

The dedication and official opening ceremony of the extension was a superb occasion attended by some 300 people

After the ceremony and buffet lunch everyone had an opportunity to view the centre. The Director-General spoke of the fine work being carried out in Cornwall and it was fitting that he was able to present One Cross Award certificates to ten mentally and physically handicapped people, who had just completed training at the centre. These courses are now a regular feature at the centre and are proving a very satisfying and rewarding part of our work.

C. R. Julian County Director

The family travelling with us consisted of the patient s wife and his brother, who was the only member who could speak English. Once on the aircraft and airborne, the brother announced that no matter what the hospital staff had said, the patient was not going to any hospital in Iran. In fact we were not even staying in Teheran. Our air tickets had been booked by him on to Mashad, and tbe patient was going home his argument being that I was available to continue the nursing!

No ambulance

No ambulance was in evidence at the airport , and my patient was eventually man -handled into the back of a private car. Then followed one of the most curious experiences of my aeromedical service.

The family's house was in a back street of a very poor quarter of the city of Mashad. 'Mod cons consisted of a cold water tap in one corner of the back courtyard and a 'hole in the ground' with a makeshift fence round it in the opposite corner. Washing up was with the same hose pipe used to flush the 'hole in the gro und'.

The family arrived as a whole within a short time. There were no less than eight womenfo lk in black churdahs , numerous menfolk and children, all of whom sat on the floor of various rooms, the majority crOWding into the patient's bedroom day and night, occasionally sleeping on bis bed.

My first duty was to my patient , knowing that he would deteriorate rapidly if he did not have his prescribed injections - or dialysis.

The family were very reluctant to call a doctor, but eventually did so on my mSlstence. Preparations for this gentleman'S visit consisted each time of a table set with a clean clotb a bowl of fruit and a glass for whatever drink he desired, whicb he took before attending the patient!

The doctor flatly refused to entertain the idea of hospitalisation for the patient, agreeing with the family that they were fortunate to have a British nurse on the spot , and although he understood and spoke English well, all my arguments to the contrary fell on deaf ears

Nursing then became wbat might be called a 'battle of wits '. All attempts at blanket bathing were frustrated by the wife who, having watched while I sponged him down as far as the waist , snatched the bowl away so that I should not proceed any further. As the patient was incontinent, it took a lot of persuading that a little more hygiene was necessary.

The family and neighbours never ceased to wonder at this peculiar being who requested a bowl of water to wash her hands before and after doing each dressing , and again before and after each injection, and who wished to wash the patient more than once in a day , attending to parts of his anatomy that even his wife (so it was said later) had never set eyes on!

This state of affairs continued for nearly a week with snatches of sleep in between for me , and a twice daily visit from the doctor at my insistence

SJA Medical Conference, 1989

The 1989 Medical Conference is to be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 14, 15, 16, not as previously circulated on April 21, 22, 23.

My outdoor clothing had been taken by the family and I had no access to it. Any attempts by me to go out were frustrated by members of the family , telling me that it was ' not safe ', and that they were a long way from tbe city, etc.

Language was a barrier , particularly as written. There was no telephone , and I had only a chair to sleep in. Having also seen the water supply , and how food was prepared and the washing up done, my chosen diet consisted of fruit and cups of tea.

While attempting a final stand with the doctor , stating that more dressings and drugs were needed and that I would take no further responsibility as the patient 's condition was now showing signs of deterioration and I must have access to the outside world, yet another member of the family arrived. He was a businessman who had travelled widely and spoke impeccable English.

Concise

His summing up of the situation was concise , his apparent authority in the family was accepted but not without some argument , which resulted in the most hysterical family row

It transpired that there was no renal dialysis unit in the hospital at that time either in Teheran or Mashad, and the family was firmly convinced that with adequate nursing care of a British hospital standard the patient would eventually recover. No argument to the contrary would convince them.

The businessman escorted me from the house the following day - after five days of virtual captivity - taking me first to a hotel for a shower and a meal , and then to the airport. My uniform , anorak and raincoat had been handed back to me - without shoulder tabs , badges or buttons . No do ubt they had been taken for souvenirs!

The doctor was now faced with having to think of further treatment for his patient. I had continued to give the hourly injections to the last. His displeasure at my leaving was very evident. I eventually received news that my patient had died not long after I left

Where is that family now? Are the teenage boys among the rebels? I shall never know.

The Director-General, Robert Balchin, unveils the plaque at the opening of the new centre, with County Director, M r C. R..J ulian and County Commander, Mr C. Petherick

brld of St John Tile World of St John The World

of St J;j;World of St John

The World of St John The World of St

Daisy - Daisy

Mrs Phillips , the Chief President pictures o f whose tour of SJA Malaysia appeared in the July issue told me that there are 42,000 SJ A members in Malaysia, 70% of them being cadets. In fact, so popular is SJA becoming with the younger generation there that Penang Universit y unit which was formed two yea rs ago had to temporarily restrain entry as the y just couldn t cope with th e demand from students to join.

She also told me that while visiting Klang (or Port Swettenham, as it used to be ) Cadet Division , at a dinner laid on for Mrs Phillips , yo ung members each spontaneously began contributing a so ng to the evening's entertainment - and soon of course all those gentle eyes were turned on the guest from London. Mrs P 's ' D aisyDaisy - give me your answer do went down very well, I understand.

Emma Le Feuvre

While the Commissioner-in-Chief was visiting Jerse y recently for the Channel Islands inter insular competitions, h e was asked to present the 7th b ar and certificate for 50 years continuous Brigade service to Miss Emma Le Feuvre.

Miss Le Feuvre , who joined the Brigad e in April 1938 as a nursing member of No.1 Jersey Division served through the German occupation She retired this year. During those 50 ye ar s she took her reexamination in First Aid and Home Nursing every year and missed onl y one annual county inspection and parade in 1978 , when s he was away fro m the island.

She has done one thousand hours of public and welfare dut y, her last public duty being at the Opera House on April

At the Malaysian national competitions at Ipoh , Chief President, Mrs Phillips, with (I to r) The C-in - C, Encik E Paramasivam , the Principal Nursing Officer, Puan Zubaidah Dt Mohd Said , and the Sultan of Perak. (See first story.)

12. At the end of the performance she was asked to go on stage and was presented with a bouquet by the producer and cast, and received a standing ovation from the a udience

Her mo st memorable St John occasion , I'm sure, was when alone she represented St John Ambulance at the Remembrance Service in the Albert Ha ll on the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Europe in 1985.

We wish her well in retirement, though we're s ure we'll see her at various Brigade gatherings.

First Aid in Schools

'Far too few teachers know first aid , said Robert Balchin , Director-General of St John Ambulance. 'Tha t is why I am delighted to hear t ha t Neil Thorne MP has been successful in obtaining an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on May 27 on the subject of emergency-aid instruction in sc hool s 'Children are very vulnerable to accidents , he went on. 'We have an excellent

amb ul ance service in this country, but during the few minutes delay before an ambulance arrives a child can easily die unless the teacher knows what to do There is no doubt that many children would be alive today if knowledge of first aid were more widely available in schools. Action is urgently needed.'

Unit for Guernsey

An officer from Guernsey s Ambulance Service who took his car on holiday to England returned rowing a brand new mobile first aid unit , writes Neil Tucker , the island's SJA PRO

The acquisition was the result of a £7 000 centenary year gift from the TSB Fo und ation to G u ernsey s vo luntary divisions, and was purpose-built for the divisions by Lynton caravans. When it was known that John Marshall, a staff officer in the professional Ambulance and Rescue Service , was visiting England with his car , he was asked if he would mind towing the unit from Manchester on his way back! It will be used by Brigade divisions in

Guernse y at public events and shows, and replac es a I5-years-old unit. Among the improv eme nt s incorporated in the new design is a large retractable awning to provid e shade and extra working space, and a roof-mounted signboard advertising the unit's location. The stretcher trolleys fit te d inside are compatible with those us ed by th e professional St John Ambulance and Rescue Service in Guernsey, so pati ents can be transferred to an ambulance with minimum disturbance. Fitted with oxygen, resuscitators, hot and cold water, toilet and a host of other features, the unit has a radio on the voluntary divisions' channel but which can be swi tched to the Ambulance Control frequ ency.

Guernsey's president, Bailiff Sir C harle s Frossard, who is also chairman of the Council of the Order in th e island, accepted the keys of the unit from TSB Foundation trustees Cherry Bisson and Advocate Geoff Rowland, and expressed the thanks of all members of St John for the extremely generous and useful gift Commissioner Edward Ie Gallez also men tioned the kind offices of British Channel Island Ferries, who transported th e unit , after its tow from Manchester to Port smouth, across the Channel to Gu ernsey free of charge And Staff Officer John Marshall received a glass of wine at th e presentation ceremony!

SJA exhibit in Athens

A St John stand at the Posidonia Maritime Exhibition , which took place in Piraeus, Athens, from June 6--12 was sponsored by Mr Peter Tavoulareas and Atlas Maritime Co SA. The stand was manned by Tim and Linda Fe llows of SJA Sussex A dinner, hosted by Peter Tavoulareas was given at the Yacht Club in Piraeus in honour of St John Ambulance Brigade Centenary Appeal on the evening of June 5. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster were guests of honour and the dinner was attended b y diplomats, infl uent ial

South Sh ie lds new headquarters was opened in May by the C-in-C, John Sunderland , here with DIS Joyce Gar rick and Badger Catherine Haram

(Below ) Hungerford Berks) badgers meet Area Commissioner Pe ter Hamer at the Division's inspection - and are fascinated.

Miss Le Feuvre receives 50 year certificate from the C-in-C. (See story EMMA LE FEUVRE).

(Right) 200 Merseyside badgers had a great day out at Knowsley Safari Park with County Badger Leader Mrs Christine Fenna They were joined by Lord Derby, the County President, who here is handing out prizes

keys of the new u nit to the Ba iliff of Guernsey SJ President Sir Charles Frossard See story UN IT FOR GUERNSEY (Photo : Guernse y Press ). NEW HQ

(Right) Leics badgers Gemma Millett, Mark Tooveyand Matthew Reedman who competed in Central TV

county.

The World of St John The World of St John

members of the Greek shipping community and commercial worlds. The Daily Mail's Nigel Dempster was also there and reported the evening in his column.

SJ Historical Society

Excursion

To Standon, Herefordshire on Saturday, September 1, when the Vicar has kindly agreed to show our party round the church and to provide tea. Booking form from Terry Clarke, 84 Elmbridge, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 OJY.

Lectures

Lectures have been arranged on the following days:

Tuesday, October 11. Professor J. S. C. Riley-Smith will address us on The Order of St John in England 1830-1854.

Tuesday, November 8. Lt-Cdr John Bedells will speak on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta - its Structure and Insignia.

Thursday, December 8. Dr Michael Burleigh on The Teutonic Knights in Myth and Reality

Mr

Parsons,

Centre

Supplies Update

LA TER THIS month we will be launching a new First Aid Range and our latest catalogue will be sent to all account holders. There's some exciting changes with new kits dressings, and other products all available for the first time. We're committed to bring you the best range at the keenest prices. Compare the prices for value for money.

We're also launching our new Christmas Card and Gift Range, so you can support St John with our very attractive range. Our Spring Sale, which finished on August 1, was a great success and many lines sold out. We'll continue to bring you great value for money in the months ahead and a few special offers will be announced in our next Supplies News. Our mailing to account holders will also include details of our 1988 offers on the ever-popular Laerdal range of resuscitation models. Next month Supplies News will also be included in your St John Review, and there'll be lots of new products, induding two new books - a new Caring for the Sick and First Aid Questions and Answers, brought

29 years'

completely up to date with the latest First Aid Manual.

We are expanding our mailing list so that we can send our catalogues, etc, to an even wider circle of customers. We wan t to include staff officers in the system, so if you are a County or Area Staff Officer and don t already receive direct mailings from us, then drop us a line and we ll incl ude your name on our mailing list.

Pensions simplified

Being more concerned with words than figures, I was very happy to receive a little book on the new pension systems which are now coming into force in Britain. It is a subject which has eluded me (I don 't even like thinking about such things , bu t of course we must) so now, having read the book , I find I have learned more about the subject in 30 minutes than I have from all the newspaper articles and other 'information' that is being pumped out at us.

The book, Your New Pensions Choic e, price £3.50, from Tolly Publishing Co, 17 Scarbrook Road , Croydon Surrey CRO 1SQ, is a 'must' if you too suffer with this subject.

cert ificate from the Commander Northumbria, Dr F. L Constable, with (left) the County Director Mr R. Green-Steele. Mrs M M Platt receives her warrant of appointment as Area President for St He le ns and Knowsley Area from Norman Pimblett, Deputy County Commissioner Also Mr J. Dawson, Area Commissioner, and Mr B. Hadfield, Divisional Officer, received their warrants

Londo n Ealing 413 Division, with cadets and badgers celebrated the wedding of Jacqueline Goodwin (co rporal) and Lance Edwards (sergeant) recently. Jacqueline and Lance, who are in the ambula nce crew and lecture on irst aid, met at SJA. Best wishes to Mr and Mrs Edwards.

The World of St John

The World of St John

F. $.

BEM, retiring secretary of Blyth

after

service, receives a

British Aerospace general manager, Mr F. White (2nd from left) presents the Weysite Trophy for valued service to Stuart Latham, Commissioner Surrey. The company (British Aircraft Corporation) had 13,000 employees when a works division was formed in 1939, which was closed in 1949, when an Association Centre was formed This closed in 1987

(Below) At Stockton and Cleveland Division there was a Sikh wedding when everyone dressed up to see Miss Resindar Pooni (ce ntre), a member for five years, become M s Koomer.

(Right) And at West Mersea, Essex Miss Eleanor Morris and Nigel Jackson both of the town's division, decided that they were to be Mr and Mrs Jackson.

The game that is making learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Reviews Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, Chorley, lancs PR7 SAP.

A K M C E 0 Q G I F B T P L S R N J H D

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland, and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn, Curriculum Development Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lanes.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the question master asks them that question. If they answer correctly they have scored that square. The object is to take all the squares in a line vertically or horizontally in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of all the lines being blocked , so that neither team can complete a line the game is all square.

This is another name for the absence or temporary stopping J. of breathing or asphyxia. K.

A fluid-filled swelling arising within and under the skin. L.

Specialised connective tissue found in association with bony M. tissue. N.

A muscle in the shoulder which raises the arm sideways. O.

The stroking movements given in massage. P.

A rise in the normal temperature. Q.

A thin open-meshed material used as a surgical dressing. R.

The small bone in the ear. S.

Caused by germs. T.

A place of union between two or more bones.

Two bean -s haped glandular organs.

The largest glandular organ in the body.

A very virulent or infectious condition.

Diseases which are required by law to be reported.

Excessive increase of fat in the body.

Loss of function of a muscle or group of muscles

Sensitive flesh beneath the nails

Involuntary automatic response to stimulus.

Salty solution.

Bones forming the instep.

(Above) Lorraine Walklett is the first Grand Prior's badge winner of Tiptree (Essex) Combined Cadet Division Lorraine s mother Anne was there when she received the award and other prizes from the County Commissioner (P hoto David Merritt).

Guernsey cadet Claire Gaudion (above) has been commended by Commiss oner Edward Ie Gallez for the treatment she gave to her first off-duty patient. The casualty was her mother! Mrs Gaudion

(Left) Winchester's Loveland badgers having tea w ith the Mayor of Winchester (Photo: Hampshire Chronic/e)

(Left) St Albans Nursing Cadet Division s badgers recently celebrated the r first birthday with a big smile and

(A bove) Six Ryde (Isle of Wight) Cadets receive their First Aid at Work certificates. They are the youngest on the island to be awarded them - possibly in the country. Five are still at school the other

(Above) Crowland (Peterborough) Combined Division received their 50-year scroll at

84-year-old Dr Hedley Boardman.

c.

1

The ambulance we bought .... •

shadowlite glass , with roller blinds secured at two levels for further privacy. Two cant level lockers are fitted above each trolley stretcher. These have perspex doors to keep blankets and stretcher linen clean Infusion rail holders are ceiling mounted

Grays Division's new Ford Transit MIAB ambulance cost £24,000.

RECENTLY our Division took delivery of a new ambulance (see July Review). Substantial effort was made to ensure the purchase of a vehicle most suitable for our needs , which entailed discussions with several manufacturers. Many vehicles were also studied at the ambulance service exhibition, AMBEX. Our choice of chassis and body follows.

Chassis-cab

Ford Transit 160 , 118 inch wheelbase , with 3 litre engine and four speed gearbox with overdrive The A62 ambulance chassis-cab includes improved suspension for patient comfort , a side emitting exhaust twin batteries and isolation switch.

The cab includes head restraints and bump pads an additional instrument panel for light and siren controls , and Brigade frequency high and low band radios.

CARING FOR YOUR NURSING OFFICER

by Florence Wilson, SRN, SCM, RNT, former County Nursing Officer, Essex

LOOKING BACK over the past months at various aspects of care, I have asked myself are we caring for our nursing officers? If we are, we might find one for a Division that is in fact without; or keep one where without care they might have left us. Nursing officers, and indeed surgeons, are very rare plants and must be nurtured if we wish them to grow and bloom. And if we do care for them, our rewards will be rich and our Division on a safe course for the 1990s.

When I became a SJA member Horne Nursing instruction was carried out by a State Registered Nurse from the local hospital. She descended on us for a number of weeks, stuck rigidly to 'the Book', and retired from our sight until we were thought to be in need of more nursing instruction. At the end of the 1940s nursing officers as such were appointed. The job , they told us, was to teach and supervise, but we must never in any way interfere with administration. That is still our task , to teach and supervise.

The professional nurse has much to offer St John and St John has much to offer the professional nurse. I have grave doubts when the person in charge of a Division comes to me and says 'I have a Divisional Officer. Why do I need a Divisional Nursing Officer?'

The nursing officer needs to be an integrated member of a Division, not only as a teacher but also as a person. She is an ex-officio member on all committees. Do not exclude her from Divisional meetings which have no apparent nursing content. Include her in public duties and social events. Make good use of all her extra nursing qualifications. Is she a midwife? A health visitor? Has she an orthopaedic or paediatric certificate? The nursing officer should be the authority on all matters relating to nursing within the Division, just as the superintendent or person in charge of the Division should have overall responsibility for the administration and running of the Division.

For the best results, the nursing officer should be consulted on all things which are not strictly disciplinarian. Even here, her wide knowledge of people could help in some cases.

There is a basic need to publidse the increasing requirement for nursing in the community. Early discharge from hospital and the tendency to keep the disabled , the elderly and the sick at horne longer, means there will be a growing need for basic home care which will have to be patient and family orientated. The nursing officer therefore should push more strongly for

Ambulance saloon

The patient compartment is a modular interchangeable ambulance body (MIAB) , consisting of double skin GRP with mild steel reinforcement. This body may be readily detached from the chaSSis-cab , allowing fitment to a replacement vehicle.

A full height partition divides the cab and saloon , with a sliding door. A locker above the cab is used for storage of bulky items, with access from the saloon

Altro safety floor covering is used , being non-slip and easily cleaned , with coving to all edges Wide drop steps are provided to the rear entrance , making the carriage of heavy patients easier. Accommodation for an orthopaedic scoop stretcher is available on one rear door.

All saloon window s are glazed in

equipment and practice time must find more outlets for practice in hospitals , homes and the community , must mak e links with community nurse s , health visitors and the social service s There are many organisations who do not ask our help because they do not know we exist. The nursing officer is often the best person to consolidate or indeed initiate these links If they have difficulties , the Area or County Nursing Officer is always available to help In some counties , Divisions have been delegated to a specific hospital ', which means more work for the nursing officer and a bigger commitment for the Division. Many Divisions with a large first aid commitment may well say 'we haven t time ', but many housewiv es may find it more convenient to give an hour to a local hospital while the children are at school than to leave the family at weekend. With increased outlets for practice and skill we may find we generate greater enthusiasm for nursing , even for nursing competitions

Nursing officers should become more involved in ambulance nursing training and be conversant with our Public Duty Handbook. With increasing marathon mania , the care of casualties is not merely first aid but the care of patients until he or she is fit to return horne The transport of casualties also frequently involves more nursing than first aid. While we are considering the position of nursing officers in first aid situations, it must be reiterated that while on duty unless a surgeon is present the nursing officer is responsible for teaching and supervising the care of a patient. Bu.tapart from ensuring that the basic reqUirements are available and situated con-

Control switches for the heater are positioned within the saloon to enable effective control by the attendant. Lighting is via four fluorescent strip lamps , with dimmer control.

Equipment and fitments

Standard first aid supplies are carried in two kits and a drawer contains equipment to treat patients inside the ambulance. Various lockers contain patient care equipment and splints. These include the KED spinal splint , Frac Immobiliser , Hines cervical splint and Crammer splints

Patient carrying equipment includes two York IV trolley stretchers a scoop stretcher carrying chair, poles and canvas. Piped oxygen is supplied to both stretcher points , using the Oxylitre system.

A bag/mask resuscitator , in addition to a Comprehensive PneuPAC is carried

Entox apparatus and a Laerdal suction unit are also fitted

veniently - they should not interfere with the running of the post. They should , however be consulted in its planning stage.

As a Coun ty Nursing Officer I had many complaint s . There is not enough time for caring for the sick. Some counties have formed a local teaching team who visit individual Divisions , teaching a specific nursing situation. The host Division frequently invites other divisions to join them for that evening , or two nursing officers from nearby divisions might combine to give a course between them. This would make teaching easier , especially in practical sessions. All nursing officers should be familiar with General Regulations and the requirements for examinations and reexaminations, and when , how and by whom they should be carried out.

Nursing officers must not be scared by forms. They must be up to date with the rules and regulations , not only of the Brigade but also of their professional statutory bodies. Help is ava ilable if they feel overwhelmed.

NurSing officers who are active in first aid duties must also be up to date. Many experienced, professionally active , long serving nursing officers feel they have been passed over in the promotion stakes. The profeSSionally active long serving nursing officer is the backbone of our service to St John. They are where they can do most good, teaching personnel the most modern and up-to-date methods and techniques at the grass roots where it matters most. How do we get new nursing officers and professional nurses? Apart from contacting local authorities and the social services , perh.aps we could advertise in nursing jour-

Provision to secure a incubator floor, using Unwin clamps. Oxygen and a 12V power supply are also available for the incubator.

External

An illuminated ambulance sign shows on the front , with sign written ' Ambulance on remaining elevations . Saturn yellow strips are on both sides and rear.

Emergency warning lights consist of a full width light bar to the front roof , containing four rotating blue lenses and two amber strobes for when operating on an airfield A 20 in blue light bar is secured to the rear roof. The fron t grille has two blue

nals or parish magazines. County Nursing Officers are annually required to review their lists of nursing officers and check qualifications and addresses , etc. One year for the first time for many years , I found our numbers were down. It is obvious that a percentage of this was due to nursing officers being annexed to become divisional superintendents. It takes a nurse three years to become registered and it costs the ratepayer a great deal of money. She needs a further two years to gain experience and confidence and is then ready to give of her expertise in teaching and supervising and raising standards of care If you then ask her to become an administrator you take away the teaching , so how can you complain if the standards of care are poor? I would suggest that there is the rest of the community from which to find divisional superintendents. We appreciate that this is a compliment to a nurse s energy and organising ability , and we thank you for it But please leave nurses where they will do the most good.

The nursing officer is frequently not sufficiently involved in medical area , that is commissioning ambulances and mobile units It is useless to raise funds for Entonox or aspirating equipment and then find that the only person qualified to use it is the nursing officer. When raising funds, what about improving your nursing equipment? Do you allocate a set amount of time and money for nursing? We know nurses are considered second class citizens , but they have much to offer which is going to be needed so much in the near future A matter for discussion between the divisional superintendent and her nursing officer could be ' How many evenings to set

repeaters. Audible warning is either by two-tone siren or electronic siren incorporating three optional sounds

The vehicle built by Wadham Stringer Ltd to a specification which exceeds DHSS requirements, cost £24 000 fully equipped Its prindpal use will be long distance transfer of patients and conveyance of motor sport casualties to hospital.

Alan Herbert, DIO

aside for nursing activities ?' How best to structure the programme to serve all sides of our work?' Do you invite other Divisions (you probably do , for an outside speaker) so why not for your nursing officer. The examiner for nursing examinations and re-examinations should be arranged in consultation with her. She frequently has a local knowledge of a sympathetic nurse who will ensure that examiners are aware of our requirements. Very senior and experienced nursing officers should be involved in annual inspections. Someone nearby to avoid too much travelling. I applaud the number of male personnel who hold the nursing certificate but I doubt they are capable of assessing the true worth of nursing equipment.

There should be the closest working relationships with divisional surgeons, for without this the Division suffers. On large public duties the support is vital. It is not enough to be able to call the local GP who may live some distance away St John started as a hospice. Let us not ignore this. Tradition should be used as a sail not an anchor, and nursing in the community is going to be very important in the future. Already the statutory services are overstretched. The rights and wrongs of allocating money for the NHS is not for us. The needs of the sick , disabled and elderly are.

Nursing officers are busy people. They have their professional duties , and frequently a home , children and a husband to look after. Why not cherish her a little more. Care for her and she will care for you , and the standards of care you can give to our lords the sick will be enhanced.

Interior. Note drawer containing dressings and piped oxygen cylinder.

FAW -A POSITIVE VIEW

I have just read two issues of the Review (April and May 1988) and noted the letters about FA W. I am surprised that these comments are being raised. A 'few' years ago concerns were being raised about lack of standardisation in first aid examinations. From my experience as a cadet (1968) up to when I began nurse training (1976), the first aid examination varied every year - even one year a well respected doctor asked me to apply a St John arm sling: that was the examination (and I passed!).

I am now an examiner for all parts of FA Wand feel the standard examination is fair, even the written part. This I feel is essential, although I appreciat€ some people have difficulty reading and writing, a certain degree of literacy is necessary. Even the men in Mr Winter's letter who' carried the morphia keys need to be able to read the label on the morphia.

Standards are necessary. The FAW sets them for first aid . The Care of the Sick course should follow a similar pattern. I feel by having agreed standards , they help to improve:

IMAGE

The Brigade's image and credibility; especially with the general public, as well as with professional doctors and nurses will be enhanced.

TRAINING

Brigade training is more compatible with ambulance service training. Working together will be easier.

INDIVIDU ALS

They feel they have achieved and improved their efficiency, which develops individual and divisional self-esteem.

Members who have difficulty with the FA W should not be neglected, but appropriate tuition and training should be given on divisional training nights, even on a one-to-one basis.

Chingford, London Adrian Hughes , DID

DOWN ON THE FARM

Chester Division received the following letter after holding an exercise in the surrounding countryside.

I was surprised to see your colleagues walking across my land tonight. I have often seen you passing but never had the opportunity to meet you in person.

I was particularly interested in your member wearing one of those new high-visibility jackets, and was able to distinguish him almost as soon as he entered the field.

Daisy and I broke off from our picnic and wandered over to greet your members almost as soon as they arrived, but they soon quickened their pace. We walked faster towards them but they broke into a trot, obviously trying to get to the canal. Soon we trotted and they ran, but changed direction and headed for a pond and bushes into which they disappeared.

Daisy and I could not clearly see what they were up to so we called over our friends to have a look and they too peered into the bushes to see your members standing in water to the tops of their wellingtons.

(Left)

Letters Letters Letters

Readers views and opinions which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of 8t John and its foundation.

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name writers must supply their name and address to the Editor

Suddenly one of them took a piece of plastic from his coat and started talking into it , and , strangely , it talked back to him.

After fifteen minutes or so they addressed us in not very pleasant tones and language we did not understand - words like Gert-yer, Ger out 0 vit go away Feeling not wanted , I left and resumed my dinner.

I trust your exercise was a success and look forward to meeting you and your colleagues next time.

Yours sincerely, A. Kow

COMPETITIONS

There have been several letters about examinations in recent issues of the Review and many of the points made indicate that attention is needed to the examination system. This is a t present being undertaken , not with the aim of making changes , but of streamlining the existing scheme

We believe that a multiple choice examination avoids candidates having to compose a written answer , but allows as sessment of knowledge of many topics in a short time without adding se vere stress to the process. Our system has been dev e loped after much thought and effort, but this does not mean that we are unwilling 10 consider and where appropriate introduce modification s which are shown to be improvements

Association Deputy Chi ef M edical Offi ce r Dr R StJ Buxton

WHAT IS WRONG?

I cannot too strongly support both Miss Joan Wilkinson and Mr Stephen Nicholson in their letters of complaint about F.A. teaching and qualification in St John (May Review).

To take the exam questions: the questions are badly set and It 18 impossible to justify (or even explain) some of them to our classes.

Series 8, for example , has four bad questions (Paper 1 , Q.10;

both of Unsworth - to receive their Grand Prior's Awards recently from David Adams, Area Commissioner. BURY CORPS

paper 2, Qs 7 and 13; paper 3 , Q 8) In all these either the wording of the question or the supposed correct answer is at fault

The revisions of 1987 , with their 'immediate implementation ' of dhanges, (and their reversal a few weeks later) were an abuse of Dhe devotion of the teachers.

Every complaint (including the ludicrous omission of 'Aids ) made by these two correspondents is fully justified. As I have written in another context : after 110 years , surely the Association can get its act together.

Kent Robert Percival

CONFUSED - EMBARRASSED

May I add my support to the call for more stability and less 'change for change sake voiced by Commissioner Stephen Nicholson (May Review).

I am getting slightly confused by the re-use for different purposes of badges which I have got to durin.g 34 years with the Brigade. In particular I note WIth grave rrusglVlngs that the Grand Prior s Badge which I wear with pride is now being sold by Supplies as a 'badge for retired members'. While I wholeheartedly support the cause of a badge for the Fellowship , let them have one of their own not a crib of one for which I worked hard. What was wrong with the old officer's cap badge? Why did we have to change from it , which has been recognised for generations , to the President's Badge ? Is it that Supplies had run out of one sort and had a surfeit of the other? We now have the same badge meaning two quite different things , depending where it is worn. If a new Officer s Cap Badge was required then it should have been a new badge . The badge which now serves as the ' Ambulance Aid badge I seem to remember used to be the Cadet Home Nursing Badge. The Dress Committee or Supplies may protest that these are not the same old badges re-used but to my mind they are so similar as to cause confusion.

I also have some sympathy with Joan Wilkinson s letter (May Review) First aid is essentiall y a practical subject and the Be able to DO' training objectives are probably more important than the 'Have knowledge of' ones . Perhaps the best way of tackling this situation would be to have the practical (eg , resuscitation and control of bleeding) first. If that is failed there is no point in the candidate taking the theory paper. This would be a more logical approach.

As a serving army officer I am acutely aware of the need for loyalty to one s headquarters As a Brigade Area Staff Officer I am sometimes hard pressed to be loyal and support some of the edicts and actions which come from 'London ' That is an embarrassing situation to be in

Aldershot W. K. Jewell , Major OStJ, RCT

THE CLUB 1951

The interesting article (May Revie w) on The Order and the Crown includes a photograph of the then HM Queen Elizabeth. Details are not given , but the date is 1951 when Her Majesty visited the original St John House Club and Training Centre in Collingham Gardens, Earls Court, to address delegates of the National Service Hospitals Reserve.

The photograph includes staff of St John House who were presented to HM The Queen, and on whose right is Miss Monica Crosbie MBE, the warden.

As a cadet superintendent I was invited to join the club staff and was there for six years. What memories and friendships from many COuntries still exist for me!

Salisbury Phyliss Snook (nee Barfield)

Continued on p 189

MERSEYSIDE : Formby's Mary Stebbs and Dorothy Carter win adult nursing trophy

No.10 REGION COMPETITIONS AT CHESTER

LANCS : Skelmersdale s nursing cadet team (captain Camille O'Hara, centre), take the winner's trophy.

GREATER MANCHESTER:

All smiles from the 'brains of the day - Little Lever Division s team, who won the Cadet Quiz

(Below) GTR

MANCHESTER : The big one for us - Sale's Cadet team (captain Martin Holden with trophy)winners of Ambulance Cadet First Aid.

LANCS: Poultonle-Fyldels Eric Smith, Dorothy Traviss and Mike Traviss are the Adult First Aid winners

Geoffrey Saunders 16 of Radcliffe, was one ofthree cadets - the others were Victoria Hulse and Melanie Humphries,

(Right) At Radcliffe Division, Mrs Joan Wardle wins the Sarah Sandiford Cup for Nursing and William Goodier the First Aid Cup.

NEWS from SCOTLAND

THE ST JOHN Cadets in Scotland excelled themselves recently when they presented a pageant The Crusaders which had been specially written for them by the Supervisor of Cadets , Mr D Watson Law , CStJ. Among the large audience which witnessed the performance were the Prior of Scotland , the Rt Hon the Viscount of Arbuthnott , the Priory Secr etary , the local Chaplains, representatives of Chapter and Council, and representatives of the local Order committee including the chairman , Mr Archibald Russell , KStJ.

The performance , held in Denny Old Parish Church, was most impressive , with cadets dressed as knights in armour , as

THIS MONTH we welcome two more branches, the third in A von and the fifth in Kent. Our total has now reached 97. Who is going to make it 100?

STJOHN

FELLOWSHIP

The Prior of Scotland (right) with the Supervisor of Cadets at the display area

cour tiers in eye-catching costumes and as Saracens in gaily attired uniforms. The yo ung participants entered into the s pi rit of the play with great gusto and realism making the several colourful scenes much appreciated b y tho se witnessing the spectacle.

Musical items of a medieval nature were play e d b y a young cadet Alison Thomson ,

WALES

YOUNG first-aiders from Tongwynlais Primary School, South Glamorgan , with their teacher, Miss Sian Morgan , and Keith Dunn, chief training co-ordinator for Wales, after being presented with their Two Cross Award certificates and badges. It was the first time that the school had taken part in the Project for Schools in Wales. (Photo: South Wales Echo).

-Anne to Col Robin Faulkner.

on th e recorder , while another yo un g member Lorna Smith , delighted the audience with her violin so los. The musical arrangemen t s were under the direction of Miss Jay Cor khill.

An interesting display of cadet craft work was also on view. These exhib it s ha ve now been donated to local children's homes and hospitals.

May I first offer my congratulations to Mr Cooper (June Review) and members of the Pressed Steel Division on 50 years of existence , but I am happy to say my division can boast a longer record.

The Thomas William Lench Limited Combined Division , of Warley , was formed in 1914 and still going strong , which gives us 74 years! We are also attached to a factory, and go under the name of T W. Lench Ltd , which is an industrial fastener manufacturer in the West Midlands We have retained this title from the beginning

In its early years it had a membership of about 60 , mainly because this was a way of obtaining a job, and also during the war years when people had to take part in some form of civil defence However, at the end of the war and when work became more plentiful , the divisional strength fell dramatically. It was strictly an ambulance division until the last three years, when we decided to become combined with the result that numbers have risen to 23 members

All our meetings over the years have been held in the works ' dining hall, so it came as quite a shock to hear that the hall was to demolished .... Panic! Where would we meet ? Our managing ?lrector came to our aid and offered us

In the factory compound

Year',

Members of the local Ulster Defence Regiment raised funds for Ballymoney Division by entering a 5-mile run (Above) Lt-Col Robin

Gamb e demonstrating the new Resusci

Nevvs frol11 Divisions/Centres

OBITUARY

Hilda Clark, Mrs, Corporal, Scarborough Nursing Division for 35 years. A very able and willing lay instructor. Serving Sister. Frederick H. Saunders, 68, JOIned Letchworth (Herts) Division in 1938. Divisional Superintendent of Stotfold Division, which he founded, 1958-75. Northern Area Superintendent, Herts 1977-86. Secretary, St Albans St John Fellowship 1987-88. Died March 11988.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Having difficulty

book include: Atlantic Westerns - Chivers Press (address as above); Corgi Large Print, 61 Uxbridge Road, Ealing London W5 5SA; Crescent Large Print Fiction, W. H. Allen & Co Pic, 44 Hill Street , London WIX 8LB; Linford Paperbacks ,

MANY disabled or elderly people find it difficult to read ordinary size print easily. They need not be deprived of the pleasure a good book can give them, however. There is now a wide range of large print books available for those who find ordinary print difficult.

These books can be purchased from the publisher if you especially want your own copy. A more usual way of obtaining them is on lo an from your local library Libraries now carry a good stock of large print books covering a wide range of fiction and nonfiction.

Many libraries run a special service for the house-bound elderly and disabled peopl e whereby they are supplied with books of their choice on loan for a certain period . The best way to do this is to write to a variety of large print book publishers asking them to send you a copy of their up -to-date catalogue of large print books. You can then go through them and make a list of books you d like to read and ask your library to obtain them for you. Here are few large print publishers to write to: Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd, The Gre en, Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicester

LE7 7FU; Isis Large Print, 55 St Thomas Street , Oxford OX1 lJG; Magna Large Print Books, Magna House, Long Preston, Nr Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4ND; Chivers Press, Windsor Bridge Road Bath BA23AX.

Chivers Press are also agents for other large print publishing firms, so when writing to them ask them to send you a copy of all large print catalogues that they may deal with.

If you enjoy reading classics then a good selection of large print classics can be borrowed from the National Library for the Blind, Cromwell Road Bredbury Stockport SK6 2SG. Write to them requesting a copy of their catalogue of large print classics. When you have decided which you want then tell your local library who will obtain them.

The National Library for the Blind will not loan direct to individuals but lend their books through the local library service.

One problem with the large print books is that disabled or elderly people find them difficult to handle. Recently some publishers have been bringing out paperback large print books which are easier to handle. Publishers providing this type of

Some disabled or elderly people cannot manage to read even large print easily. For them there is a growing number of commercially produced audio books.

These are distributed mainly through public libraries on a loan basis as they tend to be rather expensive - costing between £20-£30 depending on length. Again catalogues will be provided of these books on request from Chivers Press, Isis Audio Books and U1verscroft Soundings at the addresses already given. Also from Coverto-Cover Cassettes, Freepost Marlborough, Wilts. There are a cheaper range of audio cassette books on sale in bookshops but these do not cover a very wide range of li tera ture.

A commercially run postal lending library called Travellers Tales offers audio books on loan. There is an annual membership subscription of £11.50 plus a hire charge that depends on the number of tapes in each book, eg 80p per tape for the first week plus 5p per day after that. More details available from Travellers Tales, Great Weddington, Ash Canterbury, Kent CT3 2AT. It is good to see what is being done , however , there is still a great deal of room for improvement in making available for people who are unable to read normal print.

• R eproduced by kind permission of {he

JOHN REVIEW

Block Buster (13) ANSWERS

The four Christian virtues: 1

PRUDENCE

THE St John Ambulance is celebrating its centenary year. You may have watched the high jinks in Hyde Park, with that fantastically long sausage, of which the Duke of Edinburgh was hesitant to take a bite! I have the honour to be a chaplain in the Order, and those who have been arguing about ministerial dress ought to get an eye-full of my official regalia: a tippet with red buttons , a scarlet hood, and a silver cross of St John emblazoned on my chest. I look more like a Cardinal than a Methodist minister on the rare occasions I have to wear it!

Thinking a lot

So I have been thinking a lot lately about that eight-pointed cross, and the way in which the Order of St John interprets it. For us the four arms of the cross symbolise the four Christian virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. The eight points on the arms of the cross represent the eight Beatitudes , 'which spring from the practise of those virtues.' I will write about each of the arms.

In the enrolment ceremony of St John cadets the four Christian virtues are described to the young people thus:

Prudence - which is common sense.

Justice - which is fair play.

Temperance - which is self-control.

Fortitude - which is courage.

We can all see these are qualities to be admired and emulated. We all want to live strong and successful lives. but it is finding the power. The first motor car I had was a 1934Austin 7, more than seven years old when I bought it for £15. One day I was out with an Anglican vicar friend. We came to a gradient of one in four-and-a-half. My car conked out less than half way up. I tried again - twiceeven backwards, but it was no use. 'It's no good, Frank,' said my vicar friend, 'You 've got the desire to do it, but you just haven't got the power.' You can say that again! Where can we find that power? Let us explore that.

The first Christian virtue - PrudiJnce - which is common sense.

For religious people that common sense is a

very important Christian virtue. They tend to think in more mystical and spiritual tenus. Someone once said to me, 'I was in deep trouble, and I prayed and prayed about it. But I got no answer, and in the end I just had to use my common sense.' But surely that was God's answer: 'Use your common sense that's why I gave it to you.'

Two very religious women advertised for a gardener. They had two applicants. After interviewing them , one of the ladies said, 'We will have to pray about it.' The other replied 'Don't bother to pray. Go by the trousers: One has patches on his knees, the other on his seat!'

Parable

I like Moffatt's version of the parable of the two houses: 'Now everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts upon them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock And everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act upon them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand.'

To act with common sense is a true Christian virtue. We shall do it better if we act upon the words of Christ and find our power in him.

Frank Thewlis (Rev)

Next month: JUSTICE - which is fair play.

(Reprinted from The Methodist Recorder, Sept 1987.)

(5). 11. Make an infusion of tea. (4). 12. Bring up 32 Across. (4). 13. Star bandage for a joint. (5). 15. Oots in blood vessels. (7) 16 Are hurt badly in terminal part of urinary tract. (7). 19. Ends in one's hand (3).20. A part of a surgical procedure. (7). 22. Pain produced by men in a wrongful act in law. (7). 24. The true skin is following laceration. (5).26. Become giddy in a dance. (4). 27. Rouse to activity in prison. (4) 29. Cruel change in an open sore. (5). 30. Type of surgery in which one pours out one's troubles? (4-5). 31. Timing device for constricted stomach (4-5) 32. Fleshy part of anatomy consumed between poles. (5).

Down:

1. With 29 Across it is a pressure sore in patients confined to bed. (9).2 Wrongly assume right for a physiotherapist. (7). 3 Place for a skin blemish (4). 4. Refusal of food for psychological reasons leading to emaciation. (8.7). 5. Hallucinatory state occurring in chronic alcoholism. (8.7).6. Times change for North American of mixed blood. (5) 7. Feed to promote growth and health. (7). 8. Folds of tissue at the vulva. (5). 14. One politician with one Zulu warrior. (4). 17. Hebrew priest chaired the NCB. (4). 18. Inflammation of the structures of a joint. (9).21. Each cut produces astringent substance. (7). 23. Preparation of drug to remove teeth. (7). 24. On which to lie for a cataract operation? (5) 25 Shoulder movement expressing indifference. (5). 28. Bone of the lower limb. (4)

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.7 (88)

Across: 1. Debris; 4. Diplopia; 10. Nullity; 11. Masseur; 12. Ra·re; 13. Open; 14. Se·nna; 17. Tibial; 18. Stomach; 21. Coy; 23. Enteron; 25. Artery; 28 Riant; 31. Mood; 32. Pa·in; 34. Patient; 35. Triceps; 36. Tear-duct; 37. a·onus.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

23

REVIEW CROSSWORD No.8 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across: 1. Refuse sites frequented by the depressed? (5). 4. Organs covered by the peritoneum. (9). 9. Powerful cathartic. (6.3). 10. Opposable digit.

192

Down: 1. Dendrite; 2. Bilirubin; 3. Iris; 5. Immunity; 6. Ly·sis; 7. Paean ; 8. A·trial; 9. Lymph; 15. Era; 16. Lame; 18. Son; 19. Mark; 20 Caesarean; 21. Cosmetic; 22. Cyanosis; 24. Tan; 26. Armpit; 27. Aorta ; 29. Antra; 30. Tr·end; 33. D·ill.

TJOHN REVIEWvO,061

Spectacular at Blenheim

Royal Visit to Avon Brigade Finals

JOHN MILLS, Director of Public Relations

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

WE ARE approaching the time of year when we think particularly about training and recruiting, so for the next three months the PR messages concentrate on these subjects. This month we are considering training.

1. What is the leading organisation for first-aid training in this country?

ANSWER: St John Ambulance teaches more people first aid than any other organisation.

2. Does St John only teach first aid?

ANSWER: No! St John Ambulance runs courses on child welfare, caring for the sick, personal health in the community, hygienic food handling

3. Which figure is nearest to the number of certificates issued every year by St John Ambulance?

a. 20,000 b. 100,000 c. 200 ,000

ANSWER: 200,000

ADVERTISEMENTS

ST JOHN AMBULANCE ENCOURAGES SUPPLIERS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO ADVERTISE IN THEIR JOURNAL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH ADVERTS DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT OF THE PRODUCT ADVERTISED NOR DOES IT IMPLY LIABILITY FOR MISHAPS OR MISUSE.

SOME readers will have noticed this announcement which has been added recently to ADVERTISEMENT Manager at the foot of this page.

The SJA Medical Board is very concerned that this statement should be further emphasised and explained editorially. It means what it says - that any m edical, paramedical pharmaceutici:ll or clinical advertisement in the St John Review does NOT imply that the product or products are approved , in any way , by St John Ambulance for use by St John members. This must be fully understood and accepted.

On the other hand products advertised in the St John Supplies News and brochures , sometimes inserted into the R eview, are u sually approved althoug h this does not always make the product officially required or standard.

Watching the outdoor entertainments at Blenheim in Juneblankets needed I

KIROV BALLET PREMIERE

SPECTACULAR at BLENHEIM

A Royal evening at a palace in Oxfordshire in aid of SJA

A BANQUET at Blenheim Palace on June

1'7 raised over £70,000 for the St John Ambulanc€ Brigade CeLtenary App€al. It was held in the presence of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Margaret, and The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, seen abov€ on the left , while watching the outdoor €ntertainments provided by the Irish Guards Band, Household Cavalry, local drama grQUPS and pupils of 5t Edward's

School, all in period costume, plus a finale of a magnificent firework display, including fireworks in the shape of the Order of St John cross

Badger Claire Enston, aged 7 from Carterton, presented a beautiful bouquet to Her Royal Highness at the beginning of the VIP reception in the Red Drawing Room of the Palace (see cover photo), where very good supporters of the appeal

were presented. Among the VIPs was the sponsor of the evening Mr Ronald Gerard and his wife (in picture above on the right).

In addition to Claire, Mr and Mrs Stephen Young formed the first aid team , and Helen Orr Badger Leader , escorted Claire. The ambulance crew was Ray Francis, Ray Willis and Stephen Hulme.

Lord Westbury and Major Andrew Wigram (Esquire of the Order) are in picture above standing behind The Duke of Marlborough and Her Royal Highness.

Other Esquires attending the event were Major Richard Bethell , LieutenantColonel Julian Pope , and Alastair Bruce.

Kathleen Duncan, the Marketing Director at National Headquarters, is seen being presented to Princess Margaret by Lord Westbury during the reception.

Princess Margaret chatting with Kathleen Duncan , Nat o na HQ marketing director.

Sell out!

The magazine Harpers & Queen covered the event and the earlier Gift of Sight Luncheon, and referred to them as two of the best social events of the year. The Marketing Department hope that the high standard of special fund-raising events that they organise will continue to attract many more supporters. At £300 per head 'Blenheim was a sell out!

TWEL VE cadets from Walthamstow formed a guard of honour for Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret , when she attended the premiere of the Kirov Ballet ' s UK tour at the London Coliseum on July 25.

The tour wa s sponsored by American Expre ss and tickets for th e Royal G ala Performance were sold to benefit the St John Ambulance Brigade £10 million cen-

tenary appeal. Her Ro yal Highness The Princess Margaret , who is Grand President of St John Ambulance , saw the famous Russian ballet company perform Giselle.

GIVE AS YOU EARN SCHEME

SO FAR only 595 divisions in the UK , out of a total of almost 3 ,000 have registered with the Charities Aid Foundation under the Give A s You Earn Scheme Remember that you cannot receive any funds pledged to your division through

the scheme by employees unless the division is registered

Ten counties have now taken up our suggestion of appointing an officer to oversee the running of this Scheme. Paul Bumstead, County L iaison Officer

NATIONAL RAFFLE UPDATE

THE MARKETING Department at National HQ has again been deluged with req uests for raffle ticket s and has asked that counties and divis ion s bear with them if they do not receive the tickets by return post! Headquarter 's parcel post is sent out on Tuesdays and Thursdays only , so tickets are sent out on these days BUT PLEASE KEEP PHONING IN YOUR REQUESTS. WE MUST BEAT LAST YEAR 'S TARGET OF £90 000

If you want more tickets we are pleased to send them to you but only on receipt of the previou sly so ld counterfoils

The following counties have not yet applied for any tickets: Guernsey , Isle of Man , Jersey , Warwick , and Wiltshire. If you haven t applied for tickets because you are organising your own raffie that is fine , but otherwise PLEASE DO NOT MISS THIS MARVELLOUS

Remember , you keep the proceeds from all ticket sales.

Just a reminder of the prizes :

Avon £125,000 £57,600 Gtr Manchester Recently completed

HRH The Princess Margaret receives a cheque for £35,000 for the Brigade s centenary appeal at the premier of the Kirov Ballet's UK tour from

Wa kabout at the SJ publicity week, Bristol and North Avon Area.

HRH The Princess Royal with Deputy Area Commissioner Mrs Jackie Young , after looking at one of the Area s ambulances.

Ceu nty Su rgeo n Bo b Heat h, b usy n s h irt s leeve order, answers some questions abo u the exhibits to HR H (Photos by Neal Fussell 15 Shireham pton cadet).

Royal Visit - to Avon

IN A VON we pride ourselves on doing a job well. When th e County Commissioner asked what Bristol and North Avon area intended to put on for publicity week , we proudl y announced that we had a Royal visit in mind. In fact , Bristol Council had arranged a Security Spectacular for the City , which coincided with the week.

The theme for a two-day exhibition was Security '. The Avon and Somerset Police , Avon Fire and Ambulance Services are involved in crime prevention , so we decided on a theme of accident prevention We were given a prime pos· ition and told by the organisers that the Princess Royal would spend time with us.

Displays of home safety were prepared and the County Surgeon staged an accident in the garden scene complete with pool and drowning resusci-junior. Dr Heath throughout the incident and subsequent treatment wh lch quickly drew large crowds. A flymo with amputated toes caused many a second glance , as did garden shears and badl y cut fingers. Inside the display tent were exhibits of kitchen and electrical safety. To attract youngsters we awarded chocolate bars for spotting 10 potential dangers in a picture designed by Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents. Some 300 bars of chocolate were awarded over the two days.

HRH The Princess Royal enjoyed looking around our exhibit and meeting members and cadets helping wlth staging. She was most impressed with the casualty make-up and patients.

We cannot guarantee every St John week to get off to such a good start but at least in 1988 we did have a 'Right Royal Day'.

N. G. Ford, Mrs Area Commissioner

BRIGADE FINALS

THE NATIONAL finals of the Brigad e First Aid and Nursing Competition took place on July 2 at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon. Almost sixty tea m s competed throughout the day for the highly-prized trophies and a chance to compete in the Grand Prior 's Trophy Competition to be heJd in Buxton on November 30 As always competitors had to cope with a variety of mock-accid e nt situations (including a suici de attemp t from the roof of the Fairfield Halls! ), and the casualties were provided by the Cas u a lti es Union.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon visited the competition in the morning an d Dr Jimm y Graham , retiring Surgeon-in-Chief , prese nt ed t h e prizes at the end of the day.

RESULTS

DEW AR SHIELD - Adult First Aid

1. Chasetown, Staffordshire

2. Hailsham, Sussex

3. Bolsover Co lli ery

PERROTT SHIELD - Adult Nursing

1. Northern Nursing, Guernsey

2 Bristol No 1 , Avon

3. St P ancras, London

WHITE KNOX CUP - Cadet First Aid

1. Ruislip & Northwood , London

2. Sittingbourne , Kent

3. Lisburn, N Ireland

DUNBAR NASMITH CUP - First Aid Team Nursing Individual

1. New Edlington , S & W Yorkshire

1. Rugby , Warwickshire

3. Par , Co rnw all

First Aid and Nursing Quiz for Cadets Winner - Wetherby , S & W Yorkshire

Sir Edwin King Special Service Shield

marks

For the Cadet Division tha t gains the highe st number of Sp ecial Service Shields and/or Crosses during the year.

Chadwell Heath Ambulance Cadet, London

Sir Keith Joseph Welfare Trophy Competition

Awarded annually to the group gaining the highest marks for a Welfare Project meeting the loca community needs.

Awarded jointly to:

Blyth Combined Division (Northumbria) Northway Quadrilateral D ivision (Oxfordshire)

Mrs Frances Grima, an HQ Staff Officer of SJA Malta with 40 years service, and a lay lecturer for 10 years , is invested as a Commander of the Order by the Chancellor Lord Vesty

Vic Helmore chairman of Chorley (Lancs) Centre , took his first-aid certificate in Bombay n 1937 and joined Sutton Coldfield Division in 1938 He has since been County Staff Officer and Centre Secretary. An imaginative instructor, Vic s the composer of the Review 's Block Buster qu izzes. Confined to a wheelchair for the last 10 years w it h acute arthritis, Vic's wife of 50 years does everything for him - although he still writes draws and teaches He was invested as a Commander of the Orde r

ORDER INVESTITURE

Mrs Ailsa Malcolm , wife of Assistant Director-General Mervyn Malcolm who has been Devon 's Welfare Officer, Assistant County Director and Chief Train ng Officer (FAW), with 15 years SJ service becomes an Off cer of the Order

by the Chancellor, London, JUly 14

Commander

Cy n hi a Margaret , Lady Barnes (Sussex)

Patrick George Bowen (SJ Air Wing)

Raphael Djanogly (London)

George Dyke (Surrey)

William Herbert B. Ellis , AFC MD, BS (Glos)

Iris May Mrs Fenton (London)

Ronald Gerard (Lo ndon )

Frances, Mrs Grima (Malta)

Victor Sidney Helmore , MBE (Lancs)

Cyri l Russell Julian (SJA HQ)

Vincent Arthur Lloyd , MB , ChB, MRCS

CRCP , DPH (W Midlands)

Roy John Meller ( W Midlands )

Mary Myfa nwy Mrs Platt SRN (Merseyside)

Marjorie , Mrs Riley (S & W Yorks)

Grenville Richard Franci s Tompkins ( London )

Officer (Brother or Sister)

Brigadier Peter Abraham , QHP , FRCPsych

MRCS LRCP , DPM (Min of Def)

Anthony Jonathan Axelrod , LLB (London)

Elizabeth Dianne , Mrs Bartram (Lancs Police )

Leslie Robert Beckett (Surrey)

James Arthur Booty , BA (Norfolk)

Malcolm Boyd (British Rail)

Derrick Watson Bulmer (Hants)

Paulin Denham C h ristie, BSc (Northumbria)

George Clarke, CBE, FIFE (SJA HQ )

Eric John Cornish (Berks)

John Hamilton Crackne ll LVO (London)

Ivy , Mrs Cross ley (Lanes)

Colin Stuart Cu llimor e , CBE (London)

Lieut-Colonel John Campbell Miraumont

C urri e, TD, MChir (RAMC)

Jean Mary, Mrs Davey (Cornwal l)

John Albert Delio";" OBE (London)

Charles Richard Dipple (London)

Dennis Reginald John Doney (Hants)

Peter Derrick Drinkwater (La n cs)

Timothy John Everard, CMG (St John's Gate )

The Revd D r Henry Laurence Frankl n (Somerset)

Lady Rosula Glyn (Berk s)

Patricia Rose , Mrs Groom (Suffolk)

Maureen Ann, Miss Harris (W Midlands)

George Wilson Johnson (London)

Dennis Charles Alfred Jone s {London Tran s)

John Henry Jones (Herefs & Worcs)

Seamus Patrick Kelly (London)

Charles Edward Thomas K e mpton (London Trans)

Arthur Charles Kyte (Hants)

Les li e Stanley Lawrence CE n g, MIEE, FIRSE (London Trans)

Raymond Henry Lawrence (Surrey)

Phylli s, Mrs Lund, SRN (La nes)

The Revd lain MacGregor MacKenzie, MA , MTh (London)

Ailsa, Mrs Malco lm (Devon)

Alan Denis Martineau (W Midlands)

Derek P e dder (Devon)

Sarah Elizabeth Mrs Robin son, SEN (London)

Christine Margaret Elizabeth Miss Ru se (Cornwall)

Colin Sampson, QPM (S & W Yorks)

ST JOHN FELLOWSHIP

I AM PROUD and delighted to announce that the St John Fellowship has ONE HUNDRED branches. Three continents competed for the accolade. Within one week I received notice of the formation of th e following branches - our first in Uganda , the fifth in Canada, a nd then the sixt h in Kent, which made the hundred.

SEFA St John Ambulance Fello ws hip Ugand a

Contact; Mr D av id Ssekindi, SEFA Grain Miller PO Box 878, linj a, Uganda

The Hamilton Wentworth Chapter Ontario

Contact; Mr Peter Mori , 700 Upper Kene lworth Street Apt. 905 , Hamilton Ontario L8T 4Wl Canada

(Left) Mrs Susan Cliff, of Stoke-on-Trent police, with 14 years' SJ service, is a lay instructor and a member of the Staffs Police competition team since 1975 and which won the 1987 Grand Prior'S competition, with Susan being the highest scoring woman. Mrs Cliff becomes a Serving Sister.

(Right) Patric k (Paddy) O Brien , of Solihull

Transport Combined Divis ion, with 20 years' service, is much invo ved in holidays for the disabled. He becomes a Serving Brother

Alan Oliver Smith QPM (London )

John Douglas Squire (London Tr a ns)

Wing Commander Richard Gordon Batten sby Summers OBE AFM , ACIS, AMBIM (G os)

Adrian Turner LVO (London)

Jeffrey Eric Wellington (Berk s)

Albert Edward Whitmell (London)

Marilyn, Lieut-Colonel Williams, RRC , TD SRN (QARANC)

Jame s Humphre y George Woollcombe (Devon)

Surgeon Captain John Murray Young, R (Royal Navy)

Nei l Gordon Thorne , OBE TD , MP (London)

Serving Brother or Sister

Donald Frank Besley (British Rail )

Neil Bradley (Staffs F&R S)

Susan Elizabeth , Mrs Cliff (Staffs P o lice )

I feel this is a great achievement within five years. It is good to know that the Fellowship is not only meeting a need in England but is also bringing back to St John many who have served the Order in other parts of the world

It is hoped that the overseas branches will want to follow the example of Perth, Western Australia and twin with a

Elizabeth Mary

Joyce Eileen, Mrs Fosbery (Hants)

Shelley Anne, Mrs Griffiths (Herefs & Worcs)

Larry Fred Hibbs (London)

Gerald Eric Hobson (British Rail)

William John Homer (A.von)

Elsie Mary Therese , Mrs Humphrey (Suffolk)

Dennis Charles Middleton (London Trans)

Roben Murray (British Telecom )

Patrick O Brien (W Midland s)

Jack Perr y (Coach & Bus FAA )

John Quigle y (London Trans)

Roben Ellis Roberts (British Rail )

Kenneth Philip Rockliffe (Devon)

Kevin Shore (Royal Navy)

Mary, Mrs Tamblin (Cornwall)

Trevor Edwin Tamblin (Cornwall)

Michael John Walker , ME BCh (No rthumbria)

Thomas Edwin Winterburn (Somerset)

Kenneth Reynolds Wright (London)

branch in England with which they may perhaps have connections. Finally, congratulations to Kent , the county which claims to have fonned the first Brigade Di vision at Ashford.

Now for our second century

31 Malvern Court, Onslow Square , London SW7 3HY

Sheila Puckle National Secretary

Marjorie Countess of Brecknock, with members of the Fellowship's Cheltenham and Cotswold Area branch during her recent visit to Gloucestersh ire.

Neil Thorne , MP for liford, London, who actively promotes in Parliament the teaching of first aid in schools, is invested as an Officer.

Sir Francis Geoffrey Hawkings (Hants)

Fred Hodson (Northumbria)

Bert Ronald Holland (B uck s)

Anthony Derek Hollingsworth (London)

William Henry Jarvi s (Kent)

Herne Bay St John Fellowship, Kent

Contact; Mrs M. J. Wilson SRN 33 Bettinge Road Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6DA.

On the left of the Countess of Brecknock is Mrs P. D Riley, vicec hairman of the Central Committee of St John Fellowship

Miss Daly (London Trans)

orld of St John The World of St Joliln

The World of St J

Hospital Help

During the last five years members and friends of Dew sbury Nursing Division Kirklees Area of South and West Yorkshire , have held an annual Sunday lunch in aid of the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem and their Divisional funds. £550 has so far been sent to the hospital. The lunch has become very popular as a social event , and also as a means of raising mon ey for the hospital.

Is this something othe r Divisions and Areas may think of doing and so support our hospital, which is in need of financial help?

Sep 6: British Ga s First Aid National Comp e titions Newcas tl e.

Sep 12-16: Instructor Tutor Course Newcastle.

Sep 20: Dinn e r Mansion House Fundraising Ev e nt Oct 1: Order Service , Li ve rpool

Surgeon-in-Chief Dr Brian Lewis

Dr Brian Lewis, who succeeded Dr Jimmy Graham as Surgeon-in-Chief of the Brigade in July , originally jo ined the Brigade as a Cadet in 1942. Educated at Hereford Cathedral School, St John's College Cambridge the West London

Ho s pital and Charing Cross Ho s pital , he is now Consultant Anaesthetist at the William H a rvey Hospit al , Ashford Kent.

His service wi th St John has includ ed periods as a lecturer a nd examine r for the Association in London District while a junior hospital doctor , and he rejoin e d th e Brig a de in 1969 as a Division al Surgeon to the Nursing Cadets in Folkestone.

Subsequent service ha s includ ed Corps Surgeon at Folkestone, Assistant Co unt y Surgeon Kent a nd a period as Comm issioner before taking over as Commander and Vice-Chairman of Co un cil in Kent three years ago.

He is involved in aeromedical work and during the past 25 yea rs he h as flo wn throughout the world.

His wife, Aurea is Co unt y VicePresident and dau ght e r Sophie , a student nurse a t Addenbrooke s Hospital Cambridge , was a Grand Prior Ca det. His so n Edward , a clas sics graduate is stud ying law at Leicester

His hobbies include Leica photo graphy and a beloved Labrador dog

Close up (Left) of David Dakers, of the TV Boon series, getting some first aid training advi ce from David Seeker Deputy Area Commissioner Birmingham/Sutton

His principal interest in St John ha s always been public duties and their effective organisation. As a Welshman born in Yorksh ire where his father was a vicar, he is familiar with the problems of the Brigade at grass roots leve l and is looking forward to taking over from his old friend Dr Graham , whose good work he hopes to continu e

In Germany

St John in Germany was visited recently by John Sund erland, Commissioner-in-Chief, and Mrs S und erla nd (Photo below). They were met on arrival by t he Area Commissio n er , R ev M. Jon es , and the Area Surgeon , Dr R. Manc h e and were received by the Area Vice-President , Air Commodore A. T. Johnson OStJ QHS, and the Area Nursing Adviser Colonel D Anderson OStJ , at JHQ Rheindahlen.

After staying overnight at Osnabruck, the Com mi ssioner-in-Chief trave ll ed to Bad Lippspri n ge to inspect the St John

(Below) In Germany ( L to R) Dr Manch e, Rev J o n es, Col Anderson , the C-in-C , John Sunderland Air Commodore Johnson and Mrs Sunderland

The World of St John The World of St John

me mb ers on duty at th e Rhine Army Summer Show. A blazing hot day proved ide al weather for the members to s how off th eir skills to the large numb er of casualties who were presented for treatme nt but the best part of the day was the inspection , followed by the presentation to David Hum a n of the medal of Serving Brother of th e Order by Mr Sunderland on behalf of HRH The Gra nd Prior. It was a great mom ent for David , as the ceremony had never been held in the open before. Mrs S C. Grant was also inv es ted as Divisional President.

After the parade, the Commissioner-inChi ef toured the show an d inspected a Rettungswagen of th e German MHD and th e Medical Aid Tent of the RAMC where he was received by Lt-Col. Mark Connor.

After lunch with the Garrison Command er and Mrs Grant it was the turn of t he cadets. During the parade and inspection the C-in-C pr ese nted Nursing Cadet Sharon Rimmer with the Cadet-of-theYear prize and prizes to the runners-up , Nicola Blyth, Lee Bradbury and Clair Stern. Next it was the Badgers turn and the noi se that goes with it.

A great time was had by all. The Commi ss ioner-in-Chief s visit will long remain in our memory.

New Division

T he new division (July R eview) fo rmed in Osw estry is I now hear und er DISupt Miss J ane David so n , daug h ter of the recently retir ed deputy commissioner of Shropshire Mrs J Davidson , and assisted by DIO Robert Thomas.

SJ Helps Tesco Help

The Commissioner-in-Chief agreed earlier in th e year to a request by Tesco Stores to he lp th em in their major drive to raise funds to help Great Ormond Street Hospital get better'.

Tesco aimed to send a five-strong walking party on a 1,000-mile trek from John O' Groats to Land 's End and, because that was not to be far enough, a further circ uit so uth a nd eas t of London from Guildford to Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, to finish with a celebration at Tesco Head Offices there.

En ro ut e, any Tesco Store which could mana ge it was to collect funds fro m th eir own district and home in' on the walking tea m and h and over the co ll ections as the team pa ssed them.

St John was asked to cover the main rout e to h elp out with first a id for sore feet , Collapses or worse as th e tea m pa ssed through their respective counties. This we dl d betwe e n May 7 a nd Jun e 5 from the

YOURS!

SUPPLIES

The World of St John The World of St John

Northumbrian border (I wonder what happened in Scotland during the previous fortnight ? ) , through Durham , North Yorkshire, South and West Yorkshi re, Derbysh ire , Staffordshire , West Midland s, Hereford & Worcester , Gloucestershire , Avon , Somerset , Devon (the moors were a bit lonely) and Cornwall Then , on again through Surrey, Kent Essex, fringes of London and finally Hertfordshire.

The walking team , led by Tesco 's Director of Sports and Recreation , Roy Walker , completed their odyssey with fl ying colours . They had been feted en route b y their own people , bringing in no less than £1.4 million in pledges Their anticipation is that by the time they count all the takings , they will have nearly £2 million for Great Ormond Street Hospital!

The Managing Director stated in a letter to the Commissioner-in-Chief:

The support given by St John during the walk was absolutely fantastic. While, fortunately, your people were not called upon their presence wa s always a comforting thought. I cannot

and N/ M Dawn Smith , treasurer a d e qu ately express m y thanks to the co unties i n your organisation in words but , hopefull y, o ur consent to yo u to have a nat io nal collection next year (at our Stores) will m ake o ur thanks more tangible Onc e aga in , our very sin cere thanks for t he tr e mendou s support which has been appreciated b y all.

The Commissioner-in-Chief a dd s hi s own thanks to thos e concerned and who took part in seeing the Tesco team safely through to a successful conclusion.

Fund Raising

Ossett (W. Yorks) Di vision s sec retary Jennifer Gray w ri tes: For a while Os se rt Di vis io n had tried various ways to r a ise f un ds to h e lp buy the new style uniform , but we h ave not had much success until r ece ntl y. About t hree month s ago we d ecided to hold a jumble sa le/coffee mornin g. We go t the u se of a large h all , tables and kitchens free of charge , a date was set, and we dr ew

(Above) Ex hausted? Guildford Cadets after their 14-mile night walk from Hindhead to their HQ in camp at Churt Where do they get all that en ergy?

up and distributed posters advertising th e event. Meanwhile our cadets and ad ults (incl ud ing me) collected jumble . During th e preceding week we advertised the event in local newspapers and prayed it wou ld be successful. So su ccessful was it , in fact, that we raised £95. Our next jumble sa le/coffee morning is now being planned Moral: go out to the people. They will r espo nd . (Ed itor: In our part of the wor ld they call jumble sales White Elephants' which some h ow seems t o make them even more successfu l! )

Record?

Is this a record? Folkestone Nursing Cadet Di v ision had a team compet in g in the first aid and nur sing sect ion at the National Fi n a ls a nd also a team co mp eting in the first aid a nd nursing qu iz. No doubt ot her At Bury Corps (L

Cadet Lead er of the Year, rece ives her Grand Pri or certificate.

divi sions h ave competed in two sec tion s but h ave they done so in the same year?

The Qui z team was knocked out in the semi-finals a nd the competition team took 8th place - t wo better than in 1987 , with on e tea m member different.

Outdoor

SJA D erbyshire is running two residential weekends for over 16 year aids at their adventure trai ni ng centre at Ambergate for a certificate of outdoor first aid (compared with indoor first aid, I assume).

The courses are pl anned for Oct 28-30 and D ec 2-4, and cost £50 a person Bookings should be mad e w ith CSO A. J. Collington, 140 B e lph er Road , Stanley Co mm on, IJkeston , Derbyshire DE7 6FS, cheques made payable to ' SJA Canal Cottage'

Sept 18

SJA Sileby Leicester is holding its ann ual 9- mil e fun ru n on Sept 18 - so why not enter a team ? Entry forms from M. J. Donoghue, 68 Green Ri se , Sileby , Leicester , phone Leicester 3601.

The run finis h es at Sileby Memorial Park where the loca l division is organising a day offun and sports (with a family 2-mile run) to raise fund s. So why not go a long , or take a stall , or enter a race? Contact as a b ove.

Hospital Training

D/D Mrs Kathleen Mann, of Boston Quad Division , Lines , writes of her two weeks training and helping out at the Princess of Wales R AF Hospital , Ely.

Thi s was my second visit to the ho spita l , as I had enjoye d it so much last year. And it was made eve n mor e enjo ya bl e as I went back t o Ward 8, wh ere I h ad b een las t year. So I knew so m e of the s ta ff , where eve rythin g was kept and ward procedure. Reporting for duty at 7.45 ea ch morning , I sat in with staff to h ear th e night report on the patients and what th ey need e d that day Then the day started in ea rnest , with bedmaking washing pati ents (bed bath or bathing) , which was where my St John training really helped. Th e rest of the day was spent helping with TPR , urine testing , taking patients to X-ray and ECG.

Some days th e re were operations a nd When the patients came back from theatre I Would sit with them until the y were well enough to be left on th e ir own. If a patient wanted someone to talk to , I was able to fill this role and so reli eve th e trained staff to go to more important tasks At any time on

The World of St John The World of St

the ward I could ask Sister or Staff to explain anything that I did not understand . On the Tuesday of my first week I watched operations and helped in the R ecovery Ro o m They were orthopaedic operations and the surgeon was very helpful, ex plaining to me exactly wh at h e was do ing and why.

My secon d week was spent in Accident and Emergency P atients who h ad been treated over the weekend came for their dressings to be ch anged. After reading the report on o ne patient , I was asked to remove dressing , clean injury and rebandage - all under sterile conditions of course Again my SJA training especially Caring for the Sick , came in very u seful. If yo u did not know what to do , Staff would show yo u Durin g the week I did man y dressings - stitched cuts, burns , very bad g r azes, a nd special bandaging after plasters had been removed from healed broken limbs. The doctor on Cas u alty was very helpful , especia ll y when someone had an X-ray. He would show and exp lain what to look for if b ones where brok en I got on ve r y well with the patients and was so rr y to l eave at the end of the very valua bl e two weeks.

New Ambulance for

Ken Green, President of Stoke Central Di vision, writes:

As President of Stoke Central Combined Division , I led the fund-raising effort for a much needed replacement ambulance fo r the division.

Various avenues were explored and money was raised through collections in public houses and clubs , and a sponso r ed walk. I also wrote to companies in the area for help and we got some support. Even my bank manager was persuaded to consider making a grant and event u ally £2 ,000 came to u s from TSB. We were lucky to be offered a second -h and ambu lance by midStaffordshire District health Authority.

Last March 24 the presentation took place in Stoke Town Hall, attended by the Lord Mayor and the new County Commissioner, Tom S. Hurl ey. The ambulance was then dedicated by the R ector, R onald Carson, at Stoke P arish Church in April.

I would like to thank all the friends an d hard-working members for th e ir efforts, whi ch made it possible for us to buy this ambulance.

Stoke Central Division's new ambulance. (Story above)

The game that is making learning aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review's Block Buster, compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, Chorley, lanes PR7 6AP.

E A K D H Q R J 0 M G N P C B S L T I F

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland, and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn, Curriculum Development Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lanes.

GAME FOURTEEN

A. The study of the structure of the body.

B. Th€ study of plant and animal life.

C. The back portion of the brain

D. The fi Est part of the small intestine.

E. A convulsive condition of the nervous system.

F. Redness of the face.

G. Common name for the €sophagus.

H. A hot burning sensation in the esophagus.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and th e qu es tion master asks them that question. If they answer correctly the y have scored that square. The object is to take all the squares in a line verticall y or horizontall y in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikel y event of all the lines being blocked, so that neither team can complete a line , the game is all square.

NEW DIARY

Pay as little as £1.55

St John diaries offer excellent value for money and compare with diaries costing much more.

This year there's a new Badger Diary and Desk Diary added to our range. You can order on any of our order forms and claim up to 25% discount for quantities.

Full details on page 3

SATURDAY OPENING

I. The coLoured circular portion surrounding the pupil of the eye.

J. A condition in which the body is discoloured yellow.

K. Joints of the fingers

L. The voice box.

M. The substance which manufactures red blood cells

N. The horny plate at the end of each finger and toe.

O. The passage of fluid through a semi-permeable membrane.

P. The roof of the mouth.

Q. A substance that destroys malaria organisms

R. Relating to the pulse of the wrist.

S. A slender thornlike process of bone.

T. A tough fibrous tissue forming the termination of a muscle with which the muscle is attached to the bone

MEN'S UNIFORM JACKET

POCKET DIARY - NEW FIRST AID SECTION NEW MAPS SECTION

Ever popular the elegant pocket diary now

NO TEBOOK DIARY

A

for

to h

s

St John information se ct ion and a bumper 16 pages of general information The gold ed gin g offsets the r ch burgundy cover to produ ce a distinctive a nd stylish diary, designed for St John needs

Order T61 Noteboo k Diary £3 75

BA

DGER DIARY - NEW FOR 1989

OUTDOOR HAT Officers and Nursing Members

Ideal for Badger's everywhere , and at a pocket-money price , the new Badg e r Di a ry w il l appea l to Badgers and Badg er Leaders Comp act size (100 x 67 mm) to slip in the smallest pocket a nd there s a spe c ial information se ction for every Badger

Order T63 Badger Diary £1.85

DES K DIARY - NEW FOR 1989

A full s ze d i ary 265 x 210 mm (that ' s 10 1/2 x 8 112 ins ) ideal for appointments , planning o r for special recognition of business asso ciates. Th e ri c h red c over is dis c reetly gold blocked and there s a St John information section with essential phone numbers of all County Offices There s a whole week to view with appo i ntm e nt times , r e minder section , year planner and a complete year's c a l e nd a r on ev e ry page There ' s ample space for even the b u siest lifestyle yet the diary is slim and lightweight to fit in the slimm est case

Order T62 Desk Diary £5.99

A new Cadet Record Book has just been released. With ZS pages of facts and information , e v er y cadet should have one 1 hi s n ew ed i t io n h as details of t h e Cadet Code of Ch iva ry, effic e n cy r e q u i remen ts, Spec a Se r v i ce Sh ie l d, P r ofic ency Ce r tificates (w th space for awa r d dates) D r ess 1'- - Reg ul at i ons, a nd space t o e nt e r 1 each year s serv i ces, exam i nat io n s ., etc T h e att r act ve de ign and pages of in fo r mat ion for cade t s and the r pa r en t s make it a "rnust" fo r ev ry cadet to have o n e. Usua ll y 80 p eac h , h e r e's a n in r oductory of fer, sav in g 8 0p i f yo u order 1 0 Or mO r e befo r e 1st Februa r y 1989. A ll yo u n eed to do is cl p the co up

n r ig h an d attach to YO llr o r de r to q u a li fy.

FINA L RE D UCTION S

FLUORESCENT SLIPOVERS

Two slipovers, for distinctive purposes, and one size unisex fitting. The Regulation St John Slipover for high visibility in all conditions, made from high visibility saturn yellow material and incorporating a reflective stripe b a ck and front for extra safety. By popular demand we've also launched a slipover for collectors. Id eal for high when fund-rai sing , and L can easi ly be slipped over ordinary cloth___

ing for instant identification. The slipover includes the SJA Badge and overprinted with " First to Aid You " as an added incentiv e to donors

Order U08757 St John Slipover £5.95 Order U08758 Collectors Shpover £4.95

The problem of c old wint e r duti es

[amoLi Badger Paw, superb ly crafLed w iL h a g ill Fini h. Th e uni sex badge, i produ ced with a ti c k I in , sLl iL ab l [or all clothing, a nd id ea l for Badger Lea d

One Division has been given advice on buying a suitable ambulance and the refurbishment has saved £2000. Another had a used ambulance inspected and a number of defects found. If y o u run a n ambulanc e w hy not jo in the

PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF ST JO H N

ST JOHN IN FOCUS

This book, an ideal collector's item, traces the 100 years of St John Ambulance in photographs. Compiled from the records of t he St John Museum, and carefully selected from over 3000 items, t he 80 page s of photographs and text fully indexed tell the story. Pictures from home and overseas units with features on every period in our histor y. This magnificent book will appeal to all members who are in our memorable past Ideal as a Christmas present. Only a lImIted number of copies are available so the book is sure to be sought after for many years

The book is sold at £5.50 but as a special offer to readers of Supplies News we're making copies available to you at only £4 95. Order P30006 St John in Focus £4.95

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Meet Ellen P atrick, Brian R ocke ll 's Secretary. Ellen's been with us over a yea r an d li ves in North London. Outsid e of her working life she enjoys sw imming a nd reading , a lthough he did ay that when she get hom e from a h ectic day at the office he ' s too tired for anthing!

growing number of Divis ions saving money by using The Crown Suppl iers. The Crown Supp li ers are a Government organisation who mee t the need s of the public s ecto r . A te am o f techn ical controllers direct a n e two rk of au thorised r epair garages and th e ir own works h ops. Amongst the services they offer are mobile pro fes si onal eng inee r s link ed by earphone who can report on vehicle condition or safe ty , - so essential when you 're planning to buy a second -hand ambulance They can h elp and o ff e r advi ce on s erv ic ing and repa irs , body r e furbi s hmen t, and acc ident w ork. They e ven h a v e mob il e w o rk s h ops

Headquarte

Their

TELEPHONE

(Unchanged)

AMBULANCE COLLECTING BOX

County Offices will be receiving supplies of new Ambulance Co ll ecting Boxes for free di strib ution to Divisions. These are ideal for shops, pubs etc. - everywhere the public gather and might be tempted to give their loo se change. In areas of risk from theft the box can be secured b y inserting a chain and padlock throug h special fitting on the box. The box is resealed (a fter emptying) wIth th e re- sea l labels used for the hand-held co ll ecting box. Rep ia cement or extra collecting boxes are avai l able direct from St John Supplies together with spare re-seallabels.

Our Safeguard To Protect Your Account

To protect your account against misuse te lephone orders are cdways despatch e d di rec t to the Account Holder. Written orders, igned by the registered ACC01.1L1t Ho lder can c ontinue to be despatchea to any convenient deliver y address, nominated by the Acco un t Holder.

We know that, on rare occasions, thi s safeguard can be inconvenient especiall y if yo u want to collect a te lep ho ne order, but thi s protection ""hich is used by all Mai l Order Companies for credit orders, safeguards your acco unt aga inst misu e. Orders can, of course, be co ll ected but are re leased upon presenta tion of a written order, signed by the Acco unt Holder.

NEW ORDER FORM

A new style order form is now in use and one is included with this Supplies New s. With a ll th e latest informati o n on how to order from us. close to hand , you ll find the n ew form even eas ier to use. You can continue to u se the older sty le forms until they ve run out.

Badger Tabards

LARGER SIZE AVAILABLE

I Larger size Tabards are now available in add ition to sta ndar d sizes.

Ideal for older Bad gers , the new size will fi t up to 32 /1 chest.

Order 803125 Co ll ectin g Box £4 .95 802950 Re-seallabels 7p each Sale sline : 01 - 251 0004 Expressline : 01 - 251 0004 (Telephone 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday)

ORDERLINE TELEPHONE ORDERING

St John Account Holders can now telephone their orders to our 24 hour a day, 7 day a week Orderline. There's no charge for this new service which makes it even easier and quicker for you to order. Save time - fill out your order form, then ring the Orderline number and read your order over the phone to us. Keep both copies of your order for reference. If you can, leave a daytime phone num ber so if there's a query, we can get back to you. It's as simple as that. Credit card holdersAmerican Express, Visa, Access - should telephone their orders on 01-251 2483 (01-253 5790 is discontinued). Expressline orders should be phoned, as at present to 01-251 0004.

Buy Uniform Items in Major Cities '

BLAZER BADGE for Retired Members

ASSOCIATION

Schools Project

New 150-plus certificate to be awarded

AFTER the success of the 50-plus Special Certificate , the Association Branch launches the new ISO-plus Special Certificate to be presented to schools which have successfully trained over 150 pupils in the St John Ambulance One, Two and Three Cross Awards.

This new certificate was generously sponsored by The Federation of Master Builders London , which will officially launch it at their annual convention on September 2 at Harrogate.

The certificate , as with the Special Certificate , is available , charge , from the Schools Manager , 1 Grosvenor Crescent SWIX 7EF.

50-plus free of Project London

Northgate High School, Suffolk, was presented with the Special 50-plus Certificate by the St John Ambulance Commander , Col. M. A. Demetriadi. The pupils studied the Three Cross Award scheme as part of their personal and social education course , and to date 240 pupils ha ve received certificates.

Oman

Fourteen pupils from the Muscat English Speaking School have successfully gained their One and Two Cross Awards The school nurse , Ms Lofthouse , purchased our video in March this year and has lost no time in teaching the pupils Emergency Aid. I look forward to sending the school the Special 50-plus Certificate soon , although I don t think I'll be invited to the presentation!

1000th certificate

A specially annotated certificate and badge were presented to Paul Edmonds , of Sandown High School as the 1000th pupil on the Isle of Wight to gain the One Cross Award. At the same time, I presented the headmaster, Peter Johnson with the

ils of the Muscat English Speaking School with their certificates

Macleod p r esenting

Special 50-plus Certificate. The certificates awarded at Sandown High School are now 245 One Cross, 241 Two Cross and 91 Three Cross Awards.

Anne Macleod Schools Project Manager

2.

LIVERPOOL - ALIVE AND WELL

I have been asked by my colleagues in Liverpool to write and let you know that we are alive and thriving on the Liverpool side of the Mersey! In fact we are doing very well . With the Albert Dock now open to thousands of tourists every day and m a ny being tempted to take part in the numerous ac tivities available (eg, sailing , yachting, abseiling , water skiing jet skiing , etc) we really have eur hands full. One division is in the middle of renewin g its life-saving techniques in the water which is proving to be an educational and humorous expericwce. The G r and National at Aintree wa s a very b ig duty with all surrounding areas p a rt aki ng net only in the duty of the day but also the unequalled excitement that only the ' National' can give.

W e have like many Areas been celebrating t h e ce n te nar y and to finish off what has been a very successful yea r we h a d a family sports day. It almost finished off some of the older m e mb ers, and if the truth were known some o f the yo unger ones too! It was h e ld in the grounds ef Allerton Hall , on e of the man y fin e old estates that Liverpool poss ess es. The da y started off well with glorious sunshine and the man y f a milies that turned up had com e prepared for the day each bringing their own picnic Bemuse d visitors to the grounds looked on in amazement as the chi ldren ba n d age d their parents from head to foot with toil e t roll s. It must have looked like a scene from The Curs e of the Mummy's Tom b '. A nd if that wasn ' t enough the parents then had to race fifty yar ds, without tearing the toilet roll. If I could be excused for bo as tin g, I won that one! The fun continued throughout the afternoon with stretcher races , three-legged races , etc , followed b y a tr eas ur e hunt organised by the Liverpool Youth A cti vit y Centre , who also managed to persuade some of the le ss mobile member s to climb a tree and jump off using an aerial slide. Their powers of per su asion are unequalled! The day finished splendidly with a sing-a-Iong around the glowing embers of the barb ec ue I hope this has given readers a brief glimpse of life in th e liveliest loveliest , funnie st , warmest, wittiest - and we think th e best city this side of the English Channel! liverpool Ir ene R obinson, PRO

WHERE IS ST JOHN GOING?

As a regular reader (and purchaser) of the St John R eview for many many years , by the time that you print t his letter (if yo u d o) I will have resigned from the Brigade due to the Brigade Age Limit having been a member for 43 years (50 years sin ce I first took my First Aid Certificate), ha ving been the Area Secretary for 26 years, ha ving been Divisional Secretary for 14 yea r s b efore being premo ted to Area and I wonder indeed where St John Ambulance is going.

For the past four to five years we at grass roots level hav e not known where we are going. I read with interest the lette rs published in the Review , such as tho se typical examples: Just anether Youth Orgaflisation - 'FA W' (April 1988)

Frustration - No More Change s Pl ease' (May 1988) 'Bureaucracy' - in the JUFle 1988 issue (which I think s peak s for most of St John members )

I have not written expressing my views because I have tried on hundreds of occasiens (and I mean hundreds) to expres s them in the correct place , at county meetings, at conferences and at courses, and even speaking direct to National Headquarters s taff , but each year has made me feel more frustrated with the so call e d ' Changes for the Better ', for example: FAW - Uniform s - Ag e Limits - Action Pack - Ent e ring on Bas ic Life Support. And being frustrated because as Area Secretary, and later as Deput y Area Commissioner , being unable to convince our members in North Derbyshire Area that the changes are for the bett e r Reference t he letter ' Bureaucracy : National HQ , get down to your true, loyal, conscientious members at grass roots lev e l and find out their views, rather than listening to the 'new boy s and girls' and making their views and opinions 'regulations'.

I hope St John Ambulance will celebrate another 100 years - but

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

I doub t it , unl ess someone in a uthority thinks again about where St John is going'.

Bolsover George E. Pouller

BUREAUCRACY

R eference the above lette r (June Revi ew), the chaoges of uniforms an d manuals , and FA W test papers - members are getting very un settled over these and are leaving the Division. Our views on the FA W co urse is that it is a disgrace to the Essentials of First Aid manual. We agree, cut out all th e red tape and the cost of having two manuals A lso cut o u t th e test papers in the FAW , and members woul dn ' t think they are back at school. Amendments should be sent out as loose leaves as wit h Brigade Orders. And please , let us not forget the basics of first aid , and improvisation , as we do not always hav e our bag wit h us.

S lte ringham, Norfolk S. R. Lack S ec reta ry

CAN YOU HEAR US?

Two qu estions to National HQ:

1 Do Association decision-makers in London ever listen and consider wh at their 'wo rkers have to say in letters to the R eview eac h month?

2. Why do Brigade members JOIN St J ohn? Here we are inund ated with duties as usual, which we do o ur best t o cover to help other local organisations ; yet , to keep in line with 'Lon don ', we have to spend valuab le training and potential dut y hours fund raising so that we hav e the late st books brought out by London '; so that we can bu y the l atest badges and altered items of uniform that 'Lo ndon ' says we have to have ' London' , do yo u liste n to the voices of your workers '? It would seem n ot, for yo u are making life intolerabl e, especially may I s ugge st for those of us in sma ll rural communitie s. London', eno u gh is eno u gh And for goodness sake LISTEN!

We want to do what we joine d the Brigade for , to us e our training t o help others b y providing the first aid cover need ed for t he m a ny and varied loc a l activities. Help us to do it, p lease, and not make us have to spe nd more and more time looking after ourselves FI RST

Glastonbury and Str ee , Somerset Vale rie Siggee , DIS

MORE THAN THE JOB'S WORTH

Every organisation mu st h ave rules but they must be sensible rule s The rule which states that to h o ld an instructor 's certificate a person must hold a curr en t FA W certificate is a bad r ul e when adhered to blindly.

In 1987 I instructed five public first aid classes and also two FAW classes. My own FAW certificate was du e for renewal in 1987, but I was t o ld (rightly or wrongly , I still don t know which) th at I could not take a FA W exam with a cla ss I had instructed I have been a m ember of St John Ambulance for over 25 years and an lI1structor for 16 years. I have pas se d an exam yearly during that penod and over the last 16 years have taught hundred s of peop le to a standard that they could pa ss fir st aid exams. For a num ber of years I was also a works ambulanceman for a large in ternationa l chemica l company.

My instructor's certificate was due for renewa l in 1988 and I was tested and pas sed an exam se t by county SJ A training advisers. However , when my instructor 's certificate was sen t to London they refused to renew it because I did not have a current FA W certificat e.

How rid iculous a sit u a tion! Up until now I have been teaching people (mostly from scratch) the ski lls and know ledge to sit and pass the same examination for wh ich , because I hadn t sat recent ly, they refused me an in structor 's certificate. M y county SJA trallung advlsers li stened to me watched my conduct , qu estlOned m e, and passe d me , but so meone in London says: No current FA W , no 1I1structor's certificate'. Using the rules blindly.

Cleve land N Burns

National HQ replies:

As a n experienced instructor , Mr Burns will be aware that it is a mandator y requirement for all St John Ambulance first aid in structors to hold a current First Aid Certificate - either FAW or PFA (refer e nce Class Regulations dated September 1984).

Howe ver, to t eac h FAWan Instructor must also be registered with HSE - and to do so must hold a valid FA W certificate.

No doubt Mr Burns will a lso be aware that a Brigade member who .does ?ot hold a current FA W certificate may only undertake pubil c dutles und er the s upervision of one who does!

In t?is organisation like any other, rules are pre scribed in order to mamtalll common standards in t he achievement of objectives. To permIt them to be lllterpreted free ly would be a recipe for disaster.

L R. Gibbons, Secretary Association

HARDLY UNIFORM

Sorry to be going on' about un iform again, alth ough it's not the changes in uniform which I am concerned about. What does worry me 1S the way ,:ear the current uniform . I am constantly appa ll ed at the wrong, lI1correctly worn' , non-uniform ' uniform worn by members pictur ed in the R eview.

Following the Jun e 1988 Review I felt I had t o write abo u t your article ' Holiday Cover and the p h otographs. In one photo alone we had:

1. Thre e members in hats - One hatless

2. Two members in ties - Two tieless

3. Three members with the St John Cross on the right breast of their shirts - One without the badge

4. One member with the County flash/emblem sewn on shirtsleeves (not permi tt ed in current reg ul ations)

In photo of two nu.rsing members , one was wearing trou se rs whIle th.e other a shrt. One was wearing an ordinary tie , he other a bow tIe. Both had long hair which was not tied back. , please, please If we have a uniform then let's look umform ' or the whole image is a shamb les and oot one to be pro ud of. Let's be proud of St John and its uni form an d wear it smart ly and uniformly at all times.

Crawley

Mrs P. Gauld, D/S

STATUS SYMBOL

Is an by a division becoming a stat us symbol a worklllg UI1lt? Havlllg read th e Jul y R eview a b o ut a dlVlSlOll 'S efforts to raise money to rep l ace a lO-year-old

(Above) Mrs E Cargill (ce ntre ), Deputy A re a Comm , with W ral Badgers team who won a competition she organ sed , and Mr J Harney, Area President, and M iss

Cargill , former supt cadets (Below) The rest of Wirral Badgers after collecting pr zes

ambulance made me wonder what they nad been doing to raise funds since they purchased the original vehicle. These days when there is an increasing number of charities trying to raise funds from the same source (the general public) I feel that it is bad management not to be continually fund raising or using the vehicle to earn income to replace what is known to have a limited life.

If a division does not have an ambulance then by all means form a committee to raise the funds , but when you have an asset that is known to depreciate and deteriorate every year, surely the time to start raising money for a replacement is not when you need it but immediately you purchase the original. The initial fund raising need only be on a small scale and can increase from year to year and if the funds are kept in a separate account specifically for the ambulance and earn interest every year, then the person in charge of the unit can be made responsible for the maintenance , equipment and ensuring that the funds increase at a reasonable rate to replace the vehicle at the end of its life.

Then a large sum of money for replacement will not have to be raised in a short time , and by spreading the effort over a number of years events can become established and so give a regular source of income

Before anybody writes to say that it is not possible to raise funds without having to go cap in hand to local charities or to embark on major fund-raising activities, let me add the following points:

(1) Anything is possible providing you have good planning enthusiastic members and lay down guidelines for future efforts, so that if the personnel change (as they are likel y to during the average life of an ambulance purchased new) then the policy is known and the targets can be achieved.

(2) Our division managed to do this. We purchased our original ambulance in 1975, after setting up a fund-raising committee and approaching local charities. The vehicle was a conversion to Bedford CF. In 1984 we started looking for a new unit and finally took delivery of a new ambulance in December 1985. We didn't have to do any concerted fund raising during that period so we were able to give all our efforts to negotiating with suppliers so as to have the best possible deal for the Division.

Headquarters Combined Div, Northants Peter Tate, D/S

CARING FOR THE CARERS

A50p DUMMY

I have made a very useful dummy for less than SOp. I bought a 'Girl's World' head (used for make-up and hairstyling) at a jumble sale for 25p and made the body for it from an old cotton sheet, stuffed it tightly with old newspaper and dressed it in old clothe s (20p at the same jumble sale).

The dummy is the size of a 6 to 9-year-old girl and can be used when a 'patient"is needed. If it gets wet, just throwaway the newspaper, wash the body and re-stuff. It is simple enough for Badgers and Cadets to make themselves

It can display bandage techniques , splints, etc, and can be left in 'accident' situations under heavy props (bicycles , logs of wood or ladders) without real people being squashed.

I dressed mine in tracksuit, socks and trainers , and used small size plastic gloves stuffed for hands , which did not need sewing on.

I can supply a full size paper pattern to anyone sending me a large stamped self-addressed envelope. (Illustration above .) 24 Canterbury Close Lynn James Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield, Notts NG19 8QE

DO YOU KNOW YOUR MANUAL, SERIES 1

For the benefit of those divisions who enjoyed using Series 1 for training purposes, an updating kit is available from the St John Hall, Lesbury Avenue, Shiremoor, Newcastle upon Tyne. The kit will bring the series one papers into line with the 5th edition of the First Aid Manual.

surgery, and (b) were already looking after a disa bled relative and wanted to know 'if they were doing it right'. Incidentally , one of them, who had been looking after a disab led relative for about 20 years had only just been assessed for Attendant 's Allowance This sort of advice can also be given, and where to contact the relevant society where help and advice can be obtained.

It a lso gave mu ch relief to realise they were not alo ne to swap ideas , and even have an afternoon out (with a cup of tea). Specific problems can be dealt with by a one-off visit to the home. Many problems are individualistic and need on the step investigation and solution.

This scheme does not involve divisional members in more commitment of time , and must benefit the uninitiated carer the patient and the family.

Thorpe Bay , Essex F. E. Wilson, Mrs

Grays were the only cadets at the inspection and I was one of them, subseq uently becoming cadet sergeant, officer and then cadet superintendent until I took over the adult division. As I was the boy being addressed by the Duke of Connaught , the occasion naturally remains in my memory.

One of the bo ys was awarded the American Cup for Gallantry in the 1953 floods (see page 116 of the centenary book) after I had made the recommendation , his name being Cadet Corporal John Price And some yea r s later two of the boys became an eminent surgeon and gynaecologist respectively.

Th e Division is still in being after all these years, man y of the boys having transferred to the adult division. I am now 74 but still maintain contact with the local divisions. I joined in 1924.

Grays

OLD EQUIPMENT

M. F. Ja ckson

1925 PHOTOGRAPH

In the May Review there is a photograph of the Duke of Connaught inspecting St John cadets in Hyde P ark in 1925. The same picture also appears in the Brigade centenary book. What a pity no mention is made of who the cadets were, as this is part of the cadet movement.

The boys were members of the C3 Grays Ambulance Cadet Division , C1 and C2 having been disbanded after only a few months. To th e best of my recollection, in that particular year

Can any division help me obtain some items of old equipment which I need to complete a preserved 1972 Wadhams-bodied ambulance? I am seeking an original white GRP first aid box , water flask , carrying chair and a pair of metal stretcher pole s with spreaders. Also useful would be a pair of spreaders for wooden poles

Any leads would be greatly appreciated! 27 Hillside Ave, Worthing , Sussex T. Deakin Worthing 37660

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Sir Keith Joseph Welfare Cup

I was interested to read this article (June R eview) which raised the question of how members could help the carers.

It is estimated that by 2001 there will be a 20% increase in the population of the over-75 year aIds, and 60% increase in the over-85 year olds. In the 75-85 age group it is envisaged that 90% will be neither house-bound nor bed-fast ; but in th e 85+ band at lea st 20% will hav e some form of dementia or other di sab ility

This is , indeed, an area in which St John members can help , enabling the elderly and/or disabled person to stay at home.

Unfortunately, this puts great strain on the family carer.

Undoubtedly, individualised help will be greatly appreciated, but it must be realised that many of our members are in full or part-time employment , or have young, often pre-school children and spare' time is limited. When the member has attended a weekly meet ing , perhap s a duty or two especially during the summer when calls are many , there is little time for oth e r commitment.

Southend-on-Sea Nursing Division is attempting to help carers by preparing those about to receive elderly/handicapped members of their family into the home; and to help those who have already accepted the responsibility for an elderly/handicapped person

To this end they hav e issued posters advertis ing a four hour (2 x 2) elementary nursing course, based on the Simple Nursing at Home textbook This they are prepared to carry out at two meetings. Or, with the help of member s of the Fellowship, dunng the day, if it is mor e convenient for the carers.

Unfortunately , the issuing of posters by the statutory services does not seem to have been very successful , and the help of local papers and Essex Radio (always very helpful) has been sought. Members are also distributing posters personally to shops, post offices , etc, and hope for more succ ess.

It was interesting to note that the first two members of the public who answered the posters both (a) saw it in their GP 's

The kit eosts £1.20, including postage. Cheques or p0stal orders should be made payable to St John Ambulance, North Tyne Area. Bruce Coltman be-ins care.ful to cuI:, a "LeJt:and "ri,ghl' side. or bock and fron\:" pane.ls dar-U S¢<.> front. to>< ntxt. c..ent,.. bock From " sew back and front. toS the.r rnokin,9 body ond b.>o •. Wrn oVer top e.d3'" dro<.)slnnj throu,sh. Cut two, fcLd ',n halF' and. s...., -ffom " to ><. StuFf. lack on 0, rirml,/, b.:r ";,Ih", U>ru inches f;:.p. insect. head. F'; 1',,11 dnowstring tight ar"""d mCrt.ena\s ne.ck and fa..ten oi d cotl.ol\ She.e.t, tabl.clolh or c."rto in :)1':,410') DcO-so as ro.o,.,,;red. cord fc.r dro.wstri')5 a' fibre. o ld s",t, \r'o,c\(:;,.,,\:: '" .ocl<., shoO.!> Of S n dl

Jeann e Mercer

THIS CUP, presented by Sir Keith Joseph , is awarded annually to the division, or divisions in the same loc a lit y working as a group, who gain the highest marks for a Welfare Project meeting the local community needs.

This year the cup was awarded jointly to Blyth Combi ned Division (Northumbria) and Northway Quadrilateral Divi sion (Oxfordshire) and the following report gives an outline of both the projects , which I hope will encourage other divisions to enter this special type of competition.

Blyth is situated on the north-east coast of Northumbria , north of Newcastle. It was a ve ry busy harbour town but has recently suffered a severe loss of industry , particularly mining, s hip building , manufacturing fishing and harbour, but fortuna tely through all this trauma the o ne thing that remains is the community spirit.

The project named Operation Octopus has really reached out to so many in need and very much involve s the memb ers of the Cadet Division as well as the Adults

Among the help given , one nursing memb er has been instrumen tal in set-

ting up with the local police a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme for the elderly people's bungalows which has led to a regular patrol of the area by the local community policeman , thus giving the elderly residents more peace of mind regarding vandals.

A great deal of help is given to the disabled as well as the elderly of Blyth in so many different ways both in nursing and welfare.

The Division regularly undertak es first aid duties at weekends and other occasions when required and closely involves the cadets

Northway is a post-war housing development area with some tower blocks and full community facilities. It is situated between Headington and the village of Marston, within the ring road of the city of Oxford.

The Northway Quadrilateral Division was established 10 years ago and fulfils a real need in the community . The Division regularly covers duty at the O xford City football ground as well as many other local events. It assists in both nursing and welfare in various ways , including sports and swimming for the disabled , hospital duties , shopping outings, day outings , and during the summer provides a regular weekly ambulance service to and from Bath to take and co llect disabled passengers for their annual holidays. At Christmas

they visit hospital wards and local homes to give carol concerts.

Several cadets regularly help at weekends at the Churchill Hospital and the Division has adopted Cumberledge House for the elderly, undertaking many tasks for the residents, and so helping to improve their daily lives. The Northway project was to ensure that the elderly , and the physically and mentall y disabled in their area were given that extra help whenever possible and so generally improve the quality of their life This enterprising Quadrilateral Divisio n involves t heir cadets and yo ung members in everything they do. Whether or not your division wishes to enter the Sir Keith Joseph Cup competition is entirely up to the officers and members , but I am aware of some of the excellent work being carried out in the field of Care in the Community May I please ask as many divisions as possible to send me between now and the end of 1988 a SHORT report on headed note paper giving an outline of the welfare work they are doing. This will enable me to enter your work on a national chart and so give me a greater knowledge of our total commitment in Care in the Community.

SJA National HQ

1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EF.

Jeann e Mercer Chief Welfare Officer

NEWS from SCOTLAND

THE ANNUAL Festival of St John took place this year in Scotland on St John 's Day , June 24, in Cluny Parish Church and Centre , Edinburgh. Cluny Church occupies a prominent elevated position in the pleasant suburb of Morningside to the south-west of the city centre.

A large congregation of members and friends shared in the Communion and Commemoration Service and witnessed the investiture by the Prior of Scotland , the Rt Hon the Viscount of Arbuthnott, of 55 new and promoted postulants.

WALES

Following the investiture , 220 people sat down to lunch in the adjoining Centre after which reports supplementing what had been stated in the Year Book were given by the principal office-bearers. The proceedings were brought to a clos e just after 3.15 pm when members dispersed into the lovely June sunshine after a most memorable day.

Caring at Home -A handbook for people looking after someone at

by Nancy Kohner, Kings Fund. This book has been written for anyone caring for a relative or friend at home, whether physically or mentally ill , physically or mentally handicapped or just old and

It is based on the common experience, feelings , worries and problems of carers, that they have shared with the author and she seeks to share with others . The book provides basic information, clearly and simply collated, that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. It also offers suggestions for coping with problems which the reader might find useful. It is not a book to be read from cover to cover few carers have the time . But the contents list and index make it pos sible to be selective and it is a quick and easy reference book.

The subjects are wide ranging and all interspersed with comments and examples from life It concentrates on the needs of carers , attention to their own help , the need for personal time and the way of achieving this It examines the help and support available from statutory and voluntary agencies and explains how to get what you need. The chapter on Money and Legal Matters offers simple but practical advice on sorting out financial problems and deals with benefits , tax making a will and practical arrangements when someone dies Day to Day Care examines a wide range of problems - where to get advice, incontinence , communication problems, coping with a crisis , and others. How You Feel examines sensitively the feelings of a carer , loneliness, stress depression , guilt, grief and loss.

This is a compact and well-written book packed with worthwhile information and practical advice The comprehensive list of useful organisations and publications alone would be valuable to all members.

I would recommend this book to anyone in the Brigade especially those taking Level 3 Caring for the Sick course.

Rosemary Bailey

A Course in Ambulance Aid, by Woolf & laverac. Balliere Tindall, paperback, £7.95.

The Search for the Virus, by Conhor & Kingman. Penguin Original, paperback, £3.95.

A Reservist's War and the 252, by R. J. Meads. Neolin Books, paperback, £2.95.

A Course in Ambulance Aid has been written by a senior ambulance officer in Somerset and a senior nurse with much experience in intensive care - as they imply in the preface 'from the sharp end'. It has a foreword by Dr Roger Snook and a recommendation by Dr Peter Baskett two of the most eminent accident and emergency Surgeons in the country; in fact , it seems

BOOKS

brief surveys in most part , just enough to give a gloss but not enough depth and some of the line drawings are vaque and poorly captioned

But ' Ambulance Aid' would be interesting and informative for all St John Ambulance members wishing to enlarge their understanding and management of injuries, and to give a glimpse of what is expected from those on extended training in the Health Service ambulance.

The Search for the Virus , The Scientific Discovery of AIDS, is a fascinating detection story, almost comparable with previous stories in detection of infection in the early days of bacteriology. But it is also a learned text and really not appropriate for us in St John , and , of course , the story is not yet complete as the search continues for a vaccine against this dread and complex disease. The book does imply some depth of knowledge of technical terms, virology and disease processes

(Recommended for St John Ambulance members though , is a little book Aids, Question s and Answers , by Dr K. G. Daniels and published by Cambridge Medical Books.)

All around the country Badgers sets were chosen to review a new children s book about a badger called The Royal Secret of Brockwood, which is dedicated to the Badgers and a donation is being made to St John Ambulance for every copy sold In Brockwood , the actual setti ng of the book

Badgers from Hereford and Worcester gathered to hear the book read to them by the author Anthony Corfield (above ) It is a tale of Bertie Brock a badger who, threatened with the loss of his ramshackle cottage, decides to give it a good spring-clean. His work is rewarded by the exciting discovery of the Royal Secret' which sets the village abuzz

The book beautifully illustrated by Patr icia Hubbard is published by Portico D Abitot , and is available from bookshops at £5.95 and the Suppl i es Department at £5.25.

that the subjects covered by the book were suggested by them.

It is aimed at ambulance personnel and is supposed and hopes to be a standard text. Enquiries have suggested t hat this is not ye t so .

The reviewer found it interesting , well written and well planned but unfortunately, it is presented on poor quality paper which detracts from its appeal. Appeal it certainly has and most subjects of import to ambulance personnel are covered , ranging from anatomy and physiology in fair detail , through the systems and injuries thereof to substantial chapters on hygiene, infection, control and communications , and the law as related to the subject.

However, it is not considered to cover any of these subjects in sufficient depth to ever achieve standard textbook status. Too

This charming, rambling and rather naive book's (A Reservist 's War and the 252) main interest arises from Mr Meads long involvement in all aspects of St John Ambulance Pre-1939 , he was a member of No. 55 (Southall) Division and enrolled as did many St John members in the Military Hospital Reserve He was called up and enrolled in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He saw service but not much action in Palestine and Italy until the end of the war. The 252 was the charge sheet used for other ranks caught in some misdemeanour or misbehaviour against King ' s Regulations of which Mr Meads had more than his fair share as he relates with much humour and no rancour! The book is fun and Mr Meads is still involved in St John as can be seen from his letter in the July 1988 Re view.

Dr Norman Paras

OBITUARY

Mrs Ruth Rosemary Bareham 63, Deputy Commissioner Isle of Wight. 47 years SJ service , joining Eating Nursing Division in 1941. D IS Hanwell Nursing Division ASO Western Area and Area Supt (N). Her husband Bert was Radio Communications officer , London and National HQ. Died July 4 1988. The Supt-in-Chief writes: I found Rosemary a wonderful supporter of St John. All at National HQ send our sympathy to her husband Bert .' Colonel Gordon Higgs, Commander Staffordshire. Died February 5 1988. Wilfred Turner, Divisional Officer (Rt) , Barnstaple Division Devon. Joined the Division as a Cadet in 1932 Served in RAMC 1939-19 46 Died June 16 1988

Nevvs frol11 Divisions/Centres

OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL

Nurse Training 1986-1988

THE FIRST group of our two-year training programme for General and Ophthalmic Nurses was completed on June 9 1988 All students had very good results in the Hospital Final Exams and we are optimistic about their Jordanian State Finals , which were to be held sometime in August.

Several times since starting this project I have wondered if I was being too ambitious in trying to change th e status quo. Two trip s to Amman for meetings at Ministries of Health and Education were time consuming and worrying, followed by long waits and uncertainty as to our acceptance for State Recognition (communication between the two cities is not easy). However, we had a good group of students who worked hard and made it obvious that even without a State recognised certificate they were going to prove themselves.

FAREWELL

LONDON - Last June, 72 Tudor (Enfield) Nursing Division said 'a u revoir' to its longest serving member Miss Kathleen Hipkins with a surprise party (Photo above.)

Divisional members , former members and friends assembled to wish her a happy retirement after 41 years and three months service. She was presented with a cheque flowers and the newest members gave her a crystal St John bell

During her long service, Kath spent ten years as a cadet officer/superintendent before resigning and transferring to 72 Tudor. She spent 20 years as divisional secretary and resigned in 1983 when she became an instructor.

Her loyal and efficient service was recognised when she was invested as a Serving Sister of the Order in 1979. The division will miss her long experience and will continue to seek her advice in the future.

We wish her a long and well-earned rest after all her years in t he Brigade but knowing her, she will find plenty more to do.

Do you know your manual? (3) Answers

Th e teaching was hard as the s tudents needed a wide range of general nursing lectures and practice , whereas earlier groups had ophthalmic nursing only. Mary Manarious our tutor , worked wonders in the school with h e lp from other trained nursing staff. Mary also had to accompany th e st ud e nts to general , psychiatric and paedia ric hospitals to provid e clinical sup ervision and took turns with matron in sup ervising in the maternity hospital. We were fortunate in having so much encouragement from Dr Morgan and also from the staff of th e host hospitals.

Eventuall y we were informed that our

Block Buster (14) ANSWERS

The first group of genera and ophthalmic nurses to complete the course, Sister Mary Manarious, the tutor, is second from the right, back row.

training school was recognised and we relaxed a little although I was still somewhat apprehensive.

On June 1 Jordan TV news covered the Gift of Sight' charity lunch and gave good coverage of the hospital projects including the nursing school 'recognised by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon '. Many of the hospital staff watched the programme and were very thrilled by the fact that we were in the new s and t ha t our recognition was assured.

Our first group received their Hospital Certificates from Dr Morgan at a small ceremony on June 14 . Cups were presented to Jamil El Lati , who attained the highest marks in the General Paper, and Taysin Abu Hilel who was the most successful in Ophthalmic Theory The ceremony was attended by Dr Yasser Obeid , (Director of Health) and the matrons of the host hospitals plus members of our own staff. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and made all the worry worth while.

I am now convinced that the project was

not too ambitious and that our newly qualified nurses will be a great benefit to the patients. One of the nicest things to hear was that the matrons were very happ y to accept our students and want the chance to employ our nurses

Five of the eight s tudents have filled existing vacan cies in this hospital , two will be working at the Islamic Tru st Hospital on the Mount of Olives and one will work in a hospital in Nablus which is near her home

The Hospitaller Sir Stephen Miller , has been su pportive in the venture from the beginning and thank s to his endeavours we are able to continue with this extended training.

We now have 10 new students who completed their introductory course and commenced their first ward allocations in June. They are keen young men and women and I have every hope that they will follow the good example set by the first group. Mr Stephen Tutty ha s joined tqe st aff and will take some of the teaching pressure off Mary Manario us. Pauline O Donnell Matron

(Above) LONDON Sutton Cadet Div ision show their certificates presented to them by South Western ASO Mr A. Croft

STAFFS Nursing member Els ie Cox (3rd from left), of Cheadle Combined Division

(Left) CLEVELAND At Stockton and Thornaby Combined Division, sisters (centre) Mrs B Cody receives her Nursing Officer's certificate and Mrs P. Co x her Divisional Officer's certifica te, with (left) Lady Guisbrough, County Preside nt, and Miss J Adams, Depu ty Commissioner

AVON: Grand Prior awards were presented to Jacqueline Lindsay and Fiona Cummings, of Bristol

N/C divisio n. They then cut the cake. (Photo: Myra Meredith)

The four Christian virtues: 2

JUSTICE

CONTINUING the way in which the four arms of the cross are described to cadets on their enrolment into the St John Ambulance, I turn to ' Justice - which is fair play!

We British like to feel we are experts at fair pla y ' Unfair' is such an expressive word that other languages like German have simply adop ted it into their vocabulary without translation. We talk about a 'fair wage', 'fair pension , fair day's pay for a fair day's work' , and so on Where is fairness?

But we have to admit that life very often seems most unfair. Some people seem to have everything , others practically nothing. Some try to li ve a good life, and have nothing but trouble. Others seem to get away with anything. One woman of 50 has had nearl y 30 years of happy married life. Another woman of the same age is all alone , and finding it hard to keep body and soul togeth€r. Where is the fairness of it all?

After the San Franciso earthquake , which was followed by fires , had reduced the city to a shambles, a reporter noticed a whiskey distillery still standing He wrote:

'If, as they say , God spanked this town For being over-frisky, 'Why did he burn the churches down , And spare old Hopalong s whisk ey ?

We wonder sometimes about the justice of God himself. Does God always pla y fair? The people of the Psalmist's day felt the same. They watched the wicked prosper and the good man go to the wall. They saw innocent little children suffer , and they said ' Where is the justice in that ? It all seems so unfair. The Psalmist said to them , ' When you feel like that , and wonder if God plays the game and gives his children a fair chance , remember this: His justice is like the mighty mountains. ' As we sing it:

Thy justice is lik e mountains High soa ring above '

A moun t ain itself is something that has triumphed over tremendous odds. It has corne up from the depths of the earth in some tremendous volcanic eruption , probably millions of years ago . It has Won through the great clash of destructive forces And the Psalmist says the justice of God is like that. It sl:lrvives all the shocks It overcomes the forces of evil God does not put us into this hard world and just leave us to it This is his world , and he is the struggle.

Same mountain

A mountain is a constant quantity , so is God s justice. A mountain does not always look the same Its appearance changes according to the weather Wh e n the Sun shines it looks friendly and inviting. But on dark days it looks forbidding and gloomy. On a wet da y it is almost hidden in mis t

But it is th e sam e mountain It is th ere , immovable and unchange a ble , what e ver it looks like God s justice is like that Some days we can see it clearly and obviously

But the re are dark days when it see ms to have disappeared It looks as though God s love and justice have withdrawn altogether. But it only se ems so God s justice is immovable and enduring . Th y justice is lik e the mighty mountain s.'

Next month: TEMPERANCE - which is self-con trol.

(R eprint ed f rom The M e thodi s t R ecord er, 1987)

charitab le gifts. (4) 16. Cold , aloof manne r. (7 ). 18 Fracture our shin to sustain with food. (7). 20. Attainm e nt o f sexual m a turity (7). 22 Fifty weird noises producing injuri es to the body (7 ). 23. Twice swindle an ex tinct bird. (4). 2 5 Mildl y-di zzy e pi sod e in the water? (4) 26. Weight- r educing bath (5) 28. Anne is upset resulting in severe psychiatric d isorder. (6) 29. Produce excessive amounts of oral secretions ( 8) 31. Provide oil mitigating too thache. (6) 32. Light at night from doctor on course. (8)

Down:

1. Trick a fish (3) 2 Ends in the hand (5.4) 3 Major part of the small intestine (5) 4. Lockja;v (7) 6 Filamentous appenda ge of the skin (4).7 Metabolic rate when patient is at compl e te phy sical rest. (5). 8. Lack of feeling in the theatre (11). 11. Scheme in Lapland. (4). 12 Spinal condition which could be r e cord breaking. (7-4). 15. Unnecessary commotion and agitation (4) 17 Light colour produced by changing cure (4) 19 Change a clue on it to introduce micro-organisms into the body. (9) 21. Goes off cou rse having contagious tropical disease. (4) 22 Incapacitating muscular pain in the loin (7). 24 . Dance adding nothing to spinal structure. (5). 26. Shoot young member of family (5) 27 Joint in which menisci are located. (4). 30 Tree in Chelmsford. (3)

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORI) No.8 (88)

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Across: 1. Dumps; 4 Abdominal; 9 Castor oil; 10. Thumb ; 11. Brew ; 12. Rear; 13. Spica; 15 Thrombi ; 16. Urethra 19 . Arm ; 20. Section; 22 Tor·men·t; 24 Cut· is; 26 Reel ; 27 Stir ; 28. Ulcer ; 30 Open-heart; 31. Hour-glass; 32 N ate·s. Across: 1. Ligaments of 27 Down. (8). 5. Mischievous spirit in meningeal layer produces irrational fear. (6).9. Paralysis affecting both lower limbs (8). 10. Qualification to changed aims for infectious emanation (6) 12 Fluid separating from clotted blood (5) 13 Animal in naevus and uterine growth. (4). 14 A pre-war railway makes

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JOHN MILLS,

Directo( of Public Relations

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

Recruiting

RESEARCH HAS shown that the most effective means of getting people int ereste d to become new members of St John is by word of mouth , through per so nal contact. If peopl e see for themselves the enthusiasm of existing members , they will want to know mor e about what St John does and how to become involved. If every existing member could interest someone in joining , you don ' t need to be a mathematician to work out that membership would double!

So let's tell friends, neighbours , work colleagues, etc , all about our work for 5t John This month the message is GO OUT AND GET A NEW MEMBER! ' (O r two !)

PRESS REPORT SAYS:

SJA team Ibrought man back to life •

TWO ROCK FANS died at the ninth annual Monsters of Rock Festival held at Castle Donington , Leicestershire , on 20 August. But the death toll could have been three , reported the Leicester Mercury, but for the skill of a St John Ambulance crew who brought a man back to life after he stopped br eathing.'

Mr Mick Mardon, Western Area Commissioner of Leicestershire responsible for the St John team at the event, said: 'A man had stopped breathing. We gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage and he came to life.

The incident occurred moments after American heavy metal band Guns 'n Roses started their act, when the audience at the front began 's lam-dancing', an energetic dance involving violent swinging of the arms, and people at the front of the record 90 ,000 crowd were crushed.

The annual festival is a major commitment for 5t John Ambulance; 137 members with 12 ambulances treated a total of 911 casualties during the event.

COVER Jonathon Morgan, 11, with his Three Cross Award certificate as the 12,OOOth pupil to complete first aid training in a Welsh school, after an hour's flight in a St John Air Wing plane. See News from Wales (Photo: Western Mail). And in Gibraltar, the Grand Prior, the Duke of Gloucester (centre) dur i ng a visit to the Rock for an investiture (reported in Sept Review). Seated (L to R) Lt-Cdr C Morillo , Commissioner; Mr H Payas, retiring Comm issioner; HE The Governor Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Terry; HRH The Grand Prior Mr P Savignon , Chairman of Council; Mr L. Vasquez, retiring Chairman; and Mr C. Gaggero, past Chairman

THE ST JOHN nationwide raffle is now well under way! Requests for raffle tickets are flooding into National Headquarters.

Remember that all monies raised from the sale of raffle tickets are kept by the county or divisions. Please do not send money to National Headquarters

On the morning of December 7 1988, the draw will take place at National Headquarters and a fabulous range of prizes is awaiting the lucky winners. Here is a list of the prizes to date.

PRIZES

1st Prize - Ford Fiesta 1100 Popular Plus

'F' Registration model in white. By generous arrangement with Ford Motor Company Ltd.

2nd Prize - Weekend break for two in Paris

Imc1uding flight and accommodation in two or three star hotel with private :facilities and continental breakfast . Leaving

Lonmon Friday evening and returning Sunday evening. Dates subject to availability Generously donated by Clermont Travel Ltd.

3rd Prize - Fly/drive weekend to France

Including flight and car but no accommodation. Leaving London on Friday and return on Monday. Dates subject to availability. Generously donated by Clermont Travel Ltd.

4th Prize - Colour television set 14 inch portable colour television set Generously donated by Greenham Video, part of Greenham Trading Ltd , Isleworth , Middlesex .

Please ensure that all counterfoils are returned to National Headquarters by Wednesday, November 23 1988. Contact Centenary Appeal Department with requests for raffle tickets and posters and any further information you may require at:

Order of St John, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWIX 7EF. Telephone (01) 235-5231.

Contents

SJA team 'brought man back to life .' p.217

AA St John Alert p.218

Award for National HQ PR Dept - SJA Fellowship p .219 Brigade Finals p.220

World of St John p 224

Block Buster (15) p.228

Price 85p a copy. Subs cri ptions £12.00 per annum, £15.00 outside UK, including postage , from Review Sales, Wood Cottage, High Corner, 8utley Nr Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3QF. Tel : Orford (0394) 450548.

EDITORIAL

Edited and produced for the Order of St John by Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley Nr Woodbridge , Suffolk IP12 3QF.

: Orford (0394) 450548. Editor: Frank Driscoll. ADVERTISEMENT Manager : She ila Merrett, Media Sal es, 14 Bo xgrove Gardens Bognor Regis,

ON THURSDAY, September 1, the St John Aeromedical Service

began an exciting new phase. The Operations Room at National Headquarters has been closed and this part of the operation transferred to the new St John Alert Room at the Automobile Association office, Basingstoke.

After months of deliberation and consultation, it was decided that it would not be possible for the Order to finance the massive marketing campaign and 24-hour fully manned operations room which would be necessary if the Aeromedical Service were to compete with the many firms now operating services. Although the doctors and professional nurses accompany patients voluntarily, and so their contribution becomes a donation , the Aeromedical Service has for some years been a financial burden for National HQ .

The Automobile Association, with whom we have worked as ' AA St John Alert' for some years, had already decided that from 1988 they would set up an operations room manned 24 hours a day.

It was therefore agreed that the AA would man, at their own expense an AA St John Alert Operation s Room at

Basingstoke with Registered General Nurses. St John Ambulance has agreed to lay down and maintain the professional standards by which the medical repatriation service is operated and St John Aeromedical attendants, doctors and nurses will continue to escort the patients.

Annual donation

The AA will give a large annual donation to St John Ambulance to pay for these services , and guarantee, providing they are available , to always use SJA ambu lance s, to the continued advantage of the divisions concerned. Some £70 ,000 a year has gone into the funds of divisions supplying ambulances to convey aeromedical patients to and from airports.

John Hammond will continue to operate our side of the St John Ambulance Aeromedical Service from Grosvenor Crescent in addition to hi s

ST JOHN ALERT

duties as Secretary to the Medical Branch As Controller of the Aeromedical Service he will remain responsible to the Professional Panel for the maintenance of standards. Karen Fletcher , currently responsible for day to day liaison with aeromedical attendants, has accepted a promotion within the Association Branch , but will ensure continuity with her successor.

None of our remaining operations officers wished to transfer to Basingstoke so sadly we had to say goodbye to Patricia McQueen , Peter Marshall and Audrey Pinnock , who between them have served St John from Grosvenor Crescent for 27 years.

THE END OF AN ERA

AS MOST people will know b y now, th e Aeromedical Operations Room at National Headquarter s , Grosvenor Crescent, closed at the end of August Through the medium of the R eview the three operations officers would like to thank the very large number of people who hav e made our work possibl e.

The list includes th e doctors , nurses, ambulance staff and their co-ordinators, equipment controllers, the many ba ck room' boys and girls who have so willingly given their free time at all hours of da y (a nd night!).

The operations officer ' s job is not an easy one at the best of times , and without the dedication support and co-operation of all concerned would have been quit e impossible. This is not only a thank-you to St John workers in the United Kingdom , but to the members worldwide to whom we spoke and se nt te lexes on a daily basiscertainly we will miss saying 'G day' to our many friends down-under!

Our doctors and nurses have seen airport tarmacs all around the world. Some hav e even ventuted into war zones to retrieve patients and been forced to make landing s by fighter plane s. Yes, we could go on but it is with regret that we must bid farewell and sadly go our separate ways.

Patricia McQueen

Peter Marshall

Audrey Pinnock

Editor: Review readers will wish to know that aeromedical attendants have contributed a sum of money for a presentation to Audrey, Patricia and Peter, which is to be made at the Aeromedical Training Day at Basingstoke on November 5 , where they will be dinner guests.

Farewell from the three Aeromedical operations officers (I to r)

SEVENTEEN YEAR old Craftsman

Jason Foley, from Burton-on-Trent received the Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John from St John Ambulance Director General, Robert Ba1chin , on July 30 at Camp Proteus, Ollerton Nottinghamshire.

Jason Foley was awarded the Bronze Medal for rescuing an unconscious victim of a road accident from an overturned car which had petrol escaping from it. The accident happened in June 1987 in Burton-

218

on-Trent, where Jason was then a member of the Army Cadet Force.

Jason had been trained in first aid by St John Ambulance methods and his actions brought praise from the Police and accident services. He has now joined REME as an apprentice aircraft technician based at the Princess Marina Army Apprentice College, Aborfield, Reading , and was released by the college to return to the annual camp of his former Army Cadet Force for the medal presentation.

Many stories have been told over the years, and we are sure somebody with journalistic tendencies could write an hilarious bestseller or a television 's oap '.

Indeed an operations officer has been interviewed for a television programme later this year.

Although tragedy is , unfortunately , a daily occurrence , there has also been the occasional comic happening. For example the young uninsured couple who had to stagger back to Ireland by car and ferr y while their insured dog was chauffeured and flown back Club Class with , no doubt , a drink at paw 's reach!

Award for National HQ PR Dept

THE INSTITUTE of Public Relations 1988 Sword of Excellence Awards for outstanding work in public relatjons in 1987' were presented on June 13 at the Hotel Inter-Continental in London. Against stiff competition , the Order of St John s Director of Public Relations , John Mills (in photo) and his team , were awarded a Certificate of Excellence in the Community Relations category for the PR campaign mounted during the Brigade Centenary.

BABIES ' AND children's clothes are urgentl y needed at the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem Many patients come from villages which have no water or drainage , and are so poor that very young children arrive with little more than some sort of shawl around them. When the time comes for th ese yo ungst ers to go home , the nursing staff have to send t hem away in clothes that belong to the hospital. This is a continuing problem and naturall y matron is very concerned. Lady Miller , vice-chairman of the Ladies Guild , is co-ordinating collection of clothes and is sure that man y people would be willing to give good secondhand children s clothes from jumble sales or from their own family cast-offs. All contributions will be very gratefully received and should be delivered or sent to the Hospitaller , Sir Stephen Miller's office at 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWl , marked Children s clothes for Lady Miller 's attention'.

St John Fellowship

SUFFOLK has provided our 101st branch. We welcome the Waveney Area St John Fellowship , the second branch in the county.

Waveney Area St John Fellowship Contact: Miss E. Balls 32 The Street , Carlton Colville , Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 8JP.

Later this month I shall be visiting Manchester to discuss the arrangements for the next Annual General Meeting on Ma y 31 1989. Details will appear in the October Fellowship Newsletter. This may seem early days , but in fact it takes a full six months to obtain numbers attending and inform everyone concerned. With branches meeting only once a month a lot of notice is needed.

31 Malvern Court, Onslow Square , London SW7 3HY Sh eila Puckle National Secretary

Peter Marshall, Patricia McQueen and Audrey Pinnock.

BRIGADE FINALS

THE AIM of any type of competition is to increase efficiency. This is particularly true of Brigade competitions where team work, which is essential to our activities, combines with individual skills learnt in training.

Competition and the preceding training should enable those who participate to learn more about theoretical and practical skills. It familiarises us with the machinery which exists for dealing with both the acute and the care situations so often encountered by Brigade members on public duties and thereby gives confidence. A confidence which is all too often lacking when training is not realistic and standards are set too low. Good competition training helps to overcome excitement and nervousness After all, if you cannot cope with resuscitation in the stress of a competition you will not be able to cope effectively in the stress of a real emergency.

The minimum standard we, St John Ambulance, have set must not be allowed to drop. In fact, Brigade standards should always be maintained at a higher level than the basic statutory requirements set out by the Health and Safety Executive.

Objective

The objectives of St John competitions are clear. They are:

(A) To test the ability to deal with people suffering an accident or sudden illness in an emer-gency situation

(B) To create and stimulate interest in first aid among members and provide opportunity for them to practise and improve their skills by undertaking treatment in realistic conditions.

220

The great Dewar Shield - for the winners of the adult first aid competitions at the Finals - is held by the 1988 winners, Staffordshire's Chasetown Division.

The Finals Brigade Finals remain one of the few 'Brigade only' events in the St John calendar Over a period of years it has captured a famil y atmosphere - indeed it has become a family day out for many. Besides the four main competitions and the cadet qui z, there were other items of interest. The St John Supplies Department had a sales stand. The training and recruitment bus provided by American Express was on site outside Fairfield Halls Also our good friends from Casualties Union, who provide the large team of casualties, had a stand on which they had information about their organisation, and a computer skills test for all to try their hand.

The competitions were once again staged in Croydon, at Fairfield Halls under the experienced eye of National HQ Competitions Manager David Hallard and his assistant, Mrs Margaret Barker, who with a willing team of helpers erected the sets the day prior to the event and supplied the vast array of props.

FIRST AID TEAM TESTS

Dewar Shield

The setting for this year's test was in the grounds of Fairfield Halls A man had fallen from the building and landed on both feet. He has fractured both heels , and has compression fractures to the second and third lumbar vertebra and a fractured pelvis. While falling the man hit a person

What vvent right - and vvhat

vvent

vvrong

for the 1988 competitors

just leaving the building This casualty receives a bruise to the forehead and a di sloca ted righ t s hould er. After five minutes the second casualty become s dazed and subsequently unconscious as a resul t of the blow to the h ea d

In dealing with this incident particularly where general safety was concerned, more attention to detail and less assumption needed to be demonstrated. Overall patient care was, in general, well carried out. This was particularly so in meeting th e emotional needs and providing reassurance. However, when the casualty became unconscious midway through the test , concern was expressed by the often long delay in placing the patient in the recovery position.

General control of the incident was, in most cases, applied well. But there is a need to develop a more positive approach, which would lead to increased confidence.

Where first aid equipment was used more consideration and thought about how items could best be used would have produced , in most instances a more effective result from the limited supplies available.

Dunbar Nasmith Cup

This test was set in a fairground, the scene over the past few years of many serious accidents and injuries. Our test concerned two young boys enjoying a day out their money running short and only one of them being able to afford to pay for a ride on the dodgem cars. The second boy attempts to board the car while the attendant is not looking and causes a collision. The second boy's legs are trapped between

the car and the boundary wall , sustaining bilateral lower limb fractures. The first boy , in the car, is thrown with some force against the steering wheel (what no seat belt!) , injuring the right side of his chest. He has internal problems and is coughing up bright red blood; the pain is sharp, more so when he coughs. Two fairground attendants witness the accident.

The teams , when first arriving on scene, lacked powers of observation and therefore missed many obvious clues as to the injuries As for basic life-support measure s , these were on the whole poor. In man y cases breathing was not checked and competitors did not look for, or took too long in finding, bleeding at the site of the open fracture in the right leg Also there was a total failure by many teams to support the broken limb until it was fully immobilised Teams failed to use splints correctly.

Team captains must always be in and remain in command and should be more assertive when the situation requires. They must also learn to make use of bystanders, who despite their possible lack of first aid training can give valuable assistance if given directions

White Knox Cup

A ship is moored alongside a quay. Two visitors are coming ashore from the ship when they both slip. One falls over the gangway on to a bollard , receiving internal abdominal injuries The other receives an open fracture of the left tibia and fibula

The deteriorating condition of the first casualty was generally well recognised , although some teams failed to grasp the significance of sighing, with its implications of a badly shocked casualty. Most teams were careful and caring to the patient , but some physically manhandled the patient even after deciding an abdominal wound was present.

On a few occasions there was a focus on achieving the recovery position without regard for the consequences or patient.

Some team leaders showed excellent Control and authority, but all too often orders were repeated and several needless

re-examinations of the patients took place at the change of carer. No team offered a written statement as to diagnosis or vital signs when another member of the team took over the control of a particular case.

INDIVIDUAL TESTS

Dewar Shield No 1

A man being chased by a bull trips a few yards from the gate which is the exit from the field. The bull attacks him , throwing him over the gate with some force. The casualty sustains a closed fracture to the left clavkle and a deep incised wound with bruising in the region of the lower rib (right side) with moderate bleeding , and a further deep wound on the outer side of the calf muscle of the left leg. The casualty is dazed and suffering from shock.

On the whole, the competitors' approach and examination of this test was often rushed. And the casualty's injuries were not treated in priority The casualty was also not treated with care, but rather as an inanimate object. The treatment of the wounds could only be described as fair , and control of bleeding poor, particularly when attempting to apply dressings.

The old problem of giving false information about the pulse rate was evident , as many competitors were not taking the pulse correctly or recording it for later reference. The treatment of the clavicle was painful for the casualty and in five or six cases the padding was placed in position

after the elevation sling had been applied and secured not with a reef knot but a granny knot.

Dewar Shield No 2

A man who is a spectator crosses into a prohibited area of a sports ground where an archery target practice is taking place.

He is h it by an arrow causing a penetrating wound of the right side of his chest. He is also, as would be expected, suffering shock. A sports official is quickl y on scene.

The official, who is carrying his lunchtime sandwiches in a plastic carrier bag , also knows the location of the first aid kit and telephone in the club house a short distance away.

Not enough attention was paid to the breathing of the casualty. In man y cases an efficient air-tight seal was not obtained around the penetrating wound. Many competitors even failed to check for signs of an exit wound. Again several participants did not appear to consider the patient as a person , rather as an object. Rough handling by some , others talked at the patient , instead of the calm reassur a nce required by someone who was convinced he was going to die.

The use of sterile dressing was very poor , especially in their application. One competitor handled the sterile area, leading to lack of sterility. Conrinued

(Left) Dewar Shield No 1 individual test - injuries caused by a bull.

(Right) Dewar Shield No 2 individual test - a

White Knox Cup No 1 individual test -a victim of a stabbing in Soho

The carrier bag was meant to be cut to size, in order to cover the area of the wound. This would then have provided an air-tight seal , ideally with two pieces at different angles on top of one another, surrounding the arrow and applied over the top of the sterile dressing Some alternatives used were acceptable. However , the sandwiches alone were not meant to be used either as an air-tight seal or as padding.

The use of the sports official was poor and he was not used to the best effect. Eg, delay in sending for the first aid kit and telephoning for assistance. Many competitors did not know how to handle the aggressive bystander.

White Knox Cup No 1

Two men are loading the contents of a farmhouse into their removal van. One of them is returning to the farmhouse, as his mate is entering the van with a heavy armchair, when on the vehicle's ramp he loses his footing , slips and falls from the ramp. The chair lands on his upper leg, causing a fracture of the pelvis on the right side. Both thigh bones are broken and marked shock quickly develops. The nearest hospital is eighteen miles away.

A more caring attitude could have been displayed towards the casualty who was in considerable pain. Further information could have been obtained earlier from better observation on arrival, and from the bystander who could have found the first aid kit and other items of use

White

Knox Cup No 2

A woman is stepping into a bath when an electric wall heater falls into the bath water. The woman is electrocuted (suffering cardiac and respiratory arrest).

This test showed horrific and alarming gaps in the standard of first aid training given to our cadets. Withi1'l. the opening minute of this test, a half of the competitors who took part were declared dead from electrocution. If this figure were translated on a national basis it would mean over twelve thousand dead cadets!

One of the golden rules of first aid and printed in chapter one of the Essentials of First Aid Manual is Ensure safety of yourself as well as the casualty and later in the manual under electrical injuries it clearly states 'NEVER touch the casualty with bare hands until you have removed the source'. Unfortunately the cadets who failed to follow guidelines received no marks following their own 'electrocution', although their sheets were marked for academic purposes only.

The standard of basic life support ranged from very good to downright awful! Only eight out of twelve cadets carried out effective CPR - only four did it completely by the book, one was almost massaging the liver, one did two breaths to one compression. The bystander in this case was

222

the woman's husband and he was ignored throughout, except for calling the ambulance.

White Knox Cup No 3

A street restaurant in London's Soho, with table and chairs outside, near which is a scruffy male suffering a stab wound to the abdomen, with gut protruding He was found in a curled up heap, moaning and reluctant to be moved . He is to start with aggressive if not handled carefully. The casualty 's girlfriend is very hysterical and of little help, except to say three lad s attacked him from behind and there was 'o ne hell of a fight , and one youth was brandishing a knife".

Again with this test the big problem was not the casualty but self-preservation. Cadets must think of No 1 first. Most did seem to care. It was easy to become aggressive under these particular circumstances - almost all the competitors judged the situation correctly.

This was an improvised test and the cadets were totally lost without pukka first aid equipment and failed to use the tablecloths and napkins which, after all, in an emergency are first aid equipment.

White Knox Cup No 4

The owner of a house has fallen downstairs and is lying on the floor at the bottom. He has suffered a stroke and as a result of the fall a possible fractured left wrist. One of the casualty's children is also present.

The protection of the casualty's airway was very poor in most cases. Cadets must be more positive in opening and maintaining airways. Again in this test competitors were not listening to what the bystander was saying to them and they hurried their examination.

Conclusions

It was very obvious that members , particularly cadets, were not assessing or con-

sidering the risk to their own safety when approaching incidents. All too often , in the heat of the moment , they put themselves at risk.

It was sad to note the poor standard of basic life support at this competition , which is reflected in the comments given in the above test reports.

Cadets who join our organisation as a result of the Action Pack initiative must be able to carry out the basic life saving procedures layed down in the Cadet Action Pack teaching notes , which is the minimum basic standard acceptable. However, the cadets at this year's Brigade Finals all held St John Essentials of F irst Aid certificates and only four competitors in the White Knox No 2 test carried out the procedures correctly. The question must , therefore , be asked how in some cases these cadets passed their examinat ion ? That is not to say all the cadets were bad , some were extremely good and no doubt future leaders. But there is cause for some concern.

I hope instructors and examiners will take note of these comments. Please do not put uniformed cadets at risk through inadequate training in basic life-support procedures.

Based on the 1988 Brigade Finals , Brigade members need to improve their ability to diagnose injuries and approach the casualty in a calm, reassuring manner, and, where necessary, to carry out basic Life -support procedures to the very highest sta ndards.

The purpose of every officer is, after all , continually to improve things. There are many examples in the above which , if developed in the right way, could provide many interesting training sessions for divisions this winter. At the same time this would improve the standing and confidence of our members, who spend so much

of their spare time working for St John at something which they know has a purpose and also provides a valuable service to the communities in which we serve.

Brian L. Porter Staff Officer to the Surgeon -in- Chief

NURSING

The adults who took part in these competitions will realise the similarity in the judg es' comments on nursing to those of recent years , particularly in allowing time to assess the needs of the patient and to plan the nursing care rather than rushing in and carrying out unnecessary tasks. The judg es all commented on the way in which rapport was easily estab lish ed with patients and helpers , and the overall good standard of care which was given.

This was the first year that the cadet tests had been set out in a similar format to those of the adult - assessment of need, planning and preparation and giving care. Most competitors found this difficult , but mad e a good attempt and earned the judges praise. Obviously these are areas which need a lot of attention and practice in future training sessions.

One rather disturbing feature which applied to both adults and cadets concerned the question of safety' in the giving of nursing care. This usually resulted from being in too much of a hurry and produced a potentially dangerous situation for either the patient or the nurse. A safe environment is one of the basic needs and cannot be disregarded.

TEAM TESTS

Perrott Shield

This test was concerned with the care of a family where the mother was finding it difficult to cope with her elderly father who had recently had a 'stroke' and her 16-yearold daughter who was mentally handi-

part of the patient s daughter , and as such had to deal with the bad temper and criticism which the old lady ' s di stressed state was provoking.

The judge commented that all competitors communicated well with the patient while ascertaining her need s, but some did not carry this into the planning stage; instead , they tended to make immediate decisions without thinking it through. This lack of thought meant that care was not always carried out in order of priority although the actual standard of nursing care given was good The judge commented on the need for some competitors to consider safety when giving care, especially with regard to the wet floor which should have received attention early in the test.

capped. This lady was under increasing strain - her husband had left her several years ago and she had struggled to bring up her daughter who had a mental age of four years. Added to this was the considerable amount of nursing care which her father required. The setting of the test was the living room and kitchen of their home and to help ease the situation grandfathe r s bed had been brought downstairs. The competitors found that the old gentleman had been feeding himself with porridge at breakfast time and this had been spilt on his pyjama jacket and sheet - he was anxious to have it cleared up so that he could get out of bed. Mother was in the kitchen making pastry and being hindered by her daughter who insisted on fingering the pastry after touching an uncovered and infected area on her knee.

The judges commented that the assessment of need was variable with some competitors, making ass umptions without asking questions. The planning of care was well demonstrated by some teams , and this was achieved by formal discussion between the competitors and patients. Comment was made that communication was of a high standard, with the competitors being sensitive to people 's needs. Some teams were over-zealous in the giving of care which was not always necessary. The safety of both the patient and the competitors were not always considered when lifting was being carried out and the judges felt that more attention should be given to this. The judges comment regarding the team approach and allocation of work associated with priorities of care was summed up in one word variable'. Overall , the judges were favourably impressed by the competitors' ability to provide care which was truly individualised.

Individual test 1

This test centred around an elderly lady who, although anxious to get to bed and be settled for the night , was distressed because she could not find her purse. In her agitation she had knocked over and spilt the contents of her commode. The competitors found they were taking the

Individual test 2

This test took place in the patient's bathroom and at the commencement the home help was present just long enough to tell the competitor that the patient was sitting on the toilet and would need a lot of helpwith that she ran to catch the bus to go shopping. The patient was middle-aged and had developed multiple sclerosis two years ago. She was getting progressively weaker , particularly her right arm and both legs, and now spent most of her day in a wheelchair. The patient needed help to get from the toilet into her wheelchair , to finish dressing , to wash her hands and face , clean her teeth and put on her make-up. The judge commented that on the whole the giving of care was very good, but many competitors did not give time to the assessment of need and planning of care, hence they did not decide their priorities. Manual dexterity was poor in some competitors and this was associated with a lack of consideration for the patient 's comfort.

DUNBAR NASMITH CUP

Individual test 1

This test took place in the patient's bedroom where a blind lady was sitting in an armchair. She had just returned from hospital having been treated for a fractured left ann. The competitor needed to help her to undress and get into bed and see that the arm in plaster was comfortably supported on a pillow. The lady's blindness seemed to produce a communication problem and several competitors found this to be difficult , resulting in their not listening to the patient and therefore not assessing the situation correctly , which in turn reflected on their standard of care.

Individual test 2

This test took place in the patient's sittingroom , where a middle-aged lady was sitting in an armchair. Her left ann was badly bruised and had been well bandaged and supported in a sling. Her left leg was also bruised as a result of her recent fall. Her

Nursing: Perrott Shield No 2 individual test - a multiple sclerosis patient in need of help in th e bathroom

Nursing : Dunbar Nasmith Cup No 1 ndividual test - helping a blind lady with a fractured arm

orld of St John The World of St John

The World of St

The World of St John The World of St John

St John ambulance baby

Bab y Harry was born to Anne an d Clive Boothman in a St John ambulance in Jersey on July 9. Mrs Boothman, whose family has many SJA connections, went into labour while her husband was drivin g her to hospital , but when they got delayed in a traffic jam a St John ambulance saved the day!

The Midvale Division ambulance driven by Mrs Carol Driscoll was returning from Les Landes racecourse, and, as soon as the crew realised what was happening , they transferred the expectant mother to the ambulance. I put on the klaxon and blue light and the traffic just parted for us ,' said Mrs Driscoll

When the ambulance reached the General Hospital, Anne Boothman was in the final stages of labour and nursing members Karen Bertram and Julie Morris went to fetch a midwife. The baby was born in the back of the ambulance and both mother and child are fine and healthy.

The other members of the ambulance crew were co -driver Tim Lewis, attendant Douglas Hull and nursing member Christina Morris.

The baby's great-grandfather was a former Surgeon-in-Chief of the Brigade and his grandmother has been involved with St John since 1940 and is now president of the very division that helped at the arrival of her grandson!

With a pedigree such as that, surely little Harry must be a potential recruit for the Badgers!

Party goers

I hear that Mr and Mrs I. W. A. Brockway

- he is CSO(R) Ogwr District Wales , and completed 50 years' SJA service in 1987were guests at the Queen 's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on July 28.

In Guernsey

During his recent visit to Guernsey the Commissioner-in-Chief, John Sunderland , watched a cliff rescue demonstration by members of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service 's cliff rescue team. A SJA member, Dean de la Mare, 'volunteered' to be lowered down the cliff so that he could be rescued by Transport Member David Eaton (right in photo above).

The Service's training officer Neil Tucker , pictured talking to Mr Sunderland, explained the procedure before Sub-Officer David Harvey and Transport Member Peter Flatres lowered (Left) Anne Boothman (centre) whose baby was born in a SJ ambulance , with crew (back) Mrs Carol Driscoll, Douglas Hull and Julie Morris; (front) Christina Morris and Karen Bertram See first story. (Photo: Jersey Evening Post).

the rescuer to retrieve the unfortunate casualty'

This involved descending slightly to th e side of the victim, so as not to dislodge loose rocks or rubble above him , and then moving sideways across the cliff to a position behind him , to protect him from falling, then attach a h a rn ess, rope and helmet and arrange his evacuation up the cliff.

In cases where the casualty is injured or needs to be stretchered, the normal procedure is to lower the patient to one of the Service 's inshore r escue boats or to the ambulance vessel Flying Christine II.

Only a few weeks after the C-in-C's visit , the inshore rescue boats and cliff team were in action when a car was found at the bottom of Guernsey's south coast cliffs

At the request of the Police , an inshore boat crew examined the car's wreckage at Mrs Joy Grout of Dereham Combined Division, with 2-year-o ld Benjamin Legood who with his 3-year-old brother was injured when a horse ran into spectators at the Royal Norfo lk Show The two boys were released from hosp tal after treatment. (Photo Eastern Daily Press)

th e foot of the cliffs , and a cliff rescue team was arranged to search the face of the cliffs and retrieve evidence. Unfortunately some inquisitive locals tried to take a look themselves, and one of them had to be rescued by the St John cliff team after he became stuck about 100 feet from the top. Police enquiries into how the car plunged 300 feet down the rock face are continuing.

Cowes Week

I hear that during the prestigious Cowes Week , at which the Royal Yacht Britannia and the frigate HMS Achilles were present , the adults and cadets of the Newport (Isle of Wight) Quadrilateral Division amassed 655 hours of duty.

They had been requested to provide first aid cover for the entire week, including the famous Friday evening firework display, at which there are many thousands of spectators both on land and afloat. During the week the Division treated 91 casualties, including 14 who had to be transferred to hospital and eight who were referred to their GPs.

On the box

Alison Knowles, of Haleso wen Nursing Division, writes:

I was asked by the West Midlands PRO Angela Mason if I would like to be considered to make a community service announcement for Central Television. After various preliminary discussions , it was decided that I should do the job. I viewed the prospect with some trepidation, when realised just what I had volunteered for.

Everything was arranged and so at 8.30 on August 3 I arrived at county office to meet Angela. After a cup of coffee we set off for the TV studios clutching a various assortment of uniform!

Having a great time! At their first attempt in the town carnival, Buckley (Clwyd) Badgers (20 members) won second prize with decorated lorry. (Should have been first).

LOVELY!

Former Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon Alan and Wendy Carey, hand a lovely £17,000 cheque to SJA South West Area president, Col 'Mac' McLelland, from last year's Mayor's Appeal. Mrs Carey's father was a Brigade member for more than 50 years. Thanks everyone.

On arrival we were taken into a waiting area where two ladies, Helen and Pat made us very welcome , gave us a script to read (my part was 30 seconds) and a cup of coffee. Various other groups joined us as several CSA's were being made that day (eg, Help the Aged, Mobility Lifeline etc) and soon we were all chatting.

At 10.15 I was taken to make up where

MUM

AND.

Mum and daughter take trophies at Bedgrove Division, Bu cks. Mrs Joyce Gifkins and daughter Ruth both nursing members jointly won the annual County Patient Care Competition and received the trophies from Peter Gibson, Pr incipa of Aylesbury College of Further Education where Ruth studies Mr Gifk ns, an auxiliary member, helps fund-raising and does welfare duties.

I was transformed. I felt really glamorous, although I had not really that much make-up put on. Then back to the waiting area.

Then we were called. We entered the studio, which was fascinating. Two cameras , various technicians and in the centre a comfortable settee, and lots and lots of lights. This was it!

I was arranged on the settee, my bow tie straightened patted here and there, restraightened , potted plants rearranged around me , and then discarded!

At last we were set to roll. First a practice run which was OK. Then TAKE ONE - having 'to read the lines from an idiot-board on the camera was nerveracking The first take was nine seconds too long The script was cut. TAKE TWO. This time it was great except that the technician had a problem. TAKE THREE and FOUR - not quite right, I fumbled the words. TAKE FIVE - hurrah, we ' ve done it! A thumbs-up from Angela and the crew and then back to the waiting room. There I received a round of applause from the others still waiting , and I was a little perplexed by this - what I had not realised was

The C- in-C on a cliff top in Guernsey with SJA 's Rescue Service. See story IN GUERNSEY.

f St John The World of St John The World of St John

World of St John

The World of St John

that they had watched the whole performance on a monitor in the waiting room, mistakes and all, the straightening of skirts, the collapsing with laughter the grinning at the cameraman when he'd pulled faces at me - everything!

Tim<; to relax in the canteen with a lovely lunch on Central TV. Unfortunately no celebrities in sight. Then back to HQ and finally home.

I would not have missed the experience for anything. I only hope we get a fantastic response to the showing and lots of new memb<;rs. I know many divisions, ineluding mine, certainly need new members. So come on you lot out there - roll up your sleeves and encourage others to join us. We may not be paid, but it's fun.

Hand Luggage?

Neil Tucker Guernsey PRO , reports: Winning the Brigade finals in London is an admirable achievement, but it can present problems when you return to a small island

off the west coast of Normandy with a very large trophy.

For a start - how do you get £1 ,000 worth of silver trophies through customs?

Then can you argue that a shield almost 4-feet high is hand baggage? Will you have to pay importation duty on precious metal?

The first problem for Guernsey s northern nursing team arose when they left Croydon. The Perrott Shield was too big to go in the boot of the hire care to take them to Southampton airport. So it ended up perched on the back parcel s,helf, digging into the neck of team leader Gwen de la Mare . Emergency stops were outlawed by Gwen.

At the airport the airline wanted to know if 'it' travelled in a box. The answer was 'no . A few minutes later amused onlookers saw the shield being driven across tarmac on a baggage truck, on top of suitcases.

In Guernsey passengers had to claim their luggage' to go through customs, and the easiest way to transport the shield was standing up on a baggage trolley. Con-

Two Guernsey

The recently ret ired Secretary- General of the Order, Sir Peter Hudson, 'working' in his garden with the mower he and his wife bought with the farewell cheque presented to them by Priories

siderable interest was aroused by the sight of a huge silver shield (almost hiding those pushing it) travelling on wheel s. Th e customs officer showed a certain dignified curiosity but thought better of asking questions. For after all , if you are going to smuggle, there must be les s conspicuous ways!

Come Dancing

SJA Gainsborough, Lincs is holding a buffet dance on Saturday , October 22 at the Town Hall from 8 pm to 12.30 am. Tickets at £3 .50 each are available by phoning any of these Gainsborough numbers : 5019 , 890131 , 5553 , 611676 Have a good time.

For Christmas

The Southport St John Band together with the cadets , have produced a tape of Christmas music and traditional carols . It s a good buy at £3.25 (inel postage) from Corps Supt , 20 Scarisbrick Street , Southport, Merseyside PR9 OTU. Cheques payable to St John Ambu l ance , Southport Corps, please

Meet Karen Stevenson, exCadet Leader and Grand Prior Cadet of Antrim Division Northern Ireland , on graduation day at University of Ulster - when she became a Ba che lor of Science (Hons ).

June proved a popular month for working closely together (their words) in Dudley (W Midland) Divisions, for there were two weddings on consecutive weeks (Above) N M Trevene Counley married AIM Roy Highfield (next photo).

Good time

As guests of Lady Baird, County President for the Isle of Wight, 140 Badgers , Cadets and parents from the Isle of Wight enjoyed a fabulous afternoon in an unusual setting - on Queen Victoria 's private beach at Osborne. All the ingredients of a great party were there. ice cream , strawberries and cream , cakes in abundance , games and prizes - and , in the usual words a good time was had by all

Army Cadets

First aid is an important part of the Army Cadet Force syllabus , I'm told. Every cadet learns emergency aid (similar to St John Ambulance cadet Action Pack at 1 star level) immediately following his re-

Father Domin ic Mansi dedicates a mobile unit for Avon s Norton Radstock Division with DIS Philip Easley (left) and Area Com Lennard Burden who received it on behalf of the Order.

(Photo: Myra Mered th )

Service Hospitals Training

The Royal Naval Hospital Stonehouse in Plymouth , and the Naval Hospital at Haslar in Gosport Hampshire , have again allowed our members to take a two week course there in 1989. We al so have opportunities for courses at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely and the RAF Hospital in Wroughton

These courses offer a marvellous chance to gain valuable experience on the wards, theatre and accident and emergency departments. The cost will be in the region of £32 for two weeks.

Those wishing to be considered should write for application forms to the Superintendent-in-Chief's office and should note that applications should be vetted by their County Commissioner or County Nursing Officer.

cruit 's training. This is soon to be renamed Casualty Code ' and brought into line with the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh s Award Scheme At 3 star level (there are 4 stars altogether) , the Army cadet must take the Essentials of First Aid certificate or the equivalent of one of the other voluntary aid societies This is soon to be brought down to 2 star

Every Army cadet will therefore hold a formal first aid qualification at an early stage in his or her training. Most first aid training in the Army Cadet Force is under the auspices of St John Ambulance as is the training of adults and instructors (first aid). For the Army Cadet Force Association is a special centre of St John Ambulance Association. Chairman of the special centre and course director for the adult and Instructor courses is Major Alan Sharkey , second in command of the Territorial Army 's training organisation for London and also a St John Ambulance Brigade member in Buckinghamshire Alan who joined St John as a cadet was at one time at National HQ , where he was as staff officer brigade training and cadets, and deputy to Brigadier Fergie Semple , who will be well remembered as the last chief officer for cadets and training. Alan was subsequently county cadet officer in Buckinghamshire and now runs a cadet division in Milton Keynes.

Guernsey's

children's hospital. (Photo: Guernsey Press).

The game that is making learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review's Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, Chorley, Lancs PRJ 6AP. T 0 J E S N I D R Q P M L K H G F C B A

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland, and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn, Curriculum Development Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lanes.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the question master asks them that question. If they answer correctly they have scored that square. The object is to take all the squares in a line vertically or horizontally in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of all the lines being blocked, so that neither team can complete a line, the game is all square.

GAME FIFTEEN

A. The prominence in front of the neck which moves up and down when talking.

A person who suffers from haemophilia.

Relates to the heart.

The determining of the nature of any type of disease.

The valve in the throat behind the tongue which cuts off the air passages when swallowing.

The breaking of a part, especially bone

A condition in which sugar is found in the blood

Inflammation of the liver.

Relates to ileum , a bone in the pelvis.

The bones bearing the teeth

K. A condition where the knees touch but th e ankles are apart.

L. A tear or irregular wound produced by tearing.

M. One of the small bones in the middle of the ear.

N. The filtering mechanism of the kidney.

O. The bony socket which contains the eye.

P. The bones of the fingers and toes.

Q. An abscess behind the tonsil.

R. The bone in the thumb side of the arm.

S. A curved triangular bone composed of five united vertebrae.

T. Excessively rapid heart beat.

Ugh! - What's this? It's Badgers - at Finchley Carnival. It's Badgers GillLan Costello and Julie Courtney. Frightening everyone, I imagine Frightening 'em (Photo: Henry Goodall) (Left) Kington Herefordshire) Cadet team which won the rounders contest at the Area Cadet Day.

FUN and WORK

(Left) Three Guildford nursing cadets(I to r) Caroline Keefe Samantha Dollery and (now) N M Janet Youngreceived their Grand Prior certificates from the County Commander Dr A. Blowers (Right) Surrey Cadets of the Year - Lucy Dakin Guildford D vis on , and Simon De'Ath , of Ash Vale

(Left) 24 Grange-over-Sands (Cumbria) cadets and DI S Mrs Joan Sm ith put on a pantomime last Christmas and the proceeds £200 to the Ophthalmic Hospital and grants to ot her organisations inc luded a £125 cheque handed by Cadet Joanne Coles to Mr D Rose, chairman of Barrow- in -Furness Spast ics and Handicapped Children s Society (Right) Coalville (Leics) Cadet Corporal Jonathon Dexter, 14, a member of the Div s on s winning competition team at the Brigade Finals, has now returned to duties after nine months' competition team training. Here Jonathon, with Diana Siddons is helping on a day out far the handicapped to Twycross Zoo.

They re off l Crowds of spectators enjoying a ringside view of international power boat racing round Bristol docks. It's an annual event which fully involves the City's SJA. (Pho to: Bristol United Press)

who treated his hand cut while opening a window.

Our County Surgeon , who attends throu ghou the weekend is available for expert advice . The City Council provide s race doctors for the competitors but we are on hand under the Surgeon ' s guidance to give tab lets to rescue crews, marshals and others, who actually have to go into the water , a s a precaution against disease.

It is a lways a very busy weekend and we breathe a sigh of r e lief when the last ambulance is green to home stations ', but the event does provide plenty of work and tests our skills in communicating with each other the Police and the Ambulance Service - to say nothing of first aid treatment.

And we all look forward to June 1989 and the roar echoing aro und Bristol Docks from bo ats travelling at over 100 mph! And we shall be on h a nd to help and , hopefully , as with 1988 there will not be too man y spills.

Mrs N. G. Ford Area Commission er

NOT JUST 'LOO' ATTENDANTS

Caring ForTheSick

of

Bristol Powerboat Duty

BRISTOL HAS again completed a major public duty headache. Every year powerboats come to the city for international racing when competitors from Britain, Europe and America race over a 1Y2 -mile circuit during a three-day event. This year, on June 18-19 the event was granted grand prix stat us .

WITH 150 MEMBERS DOWN BY THE DOCKS

The course in the centre of Bristol is unique. In he 18th century , the city docks saw merchants sponsoring trade from Iceland to the Mediterranean, Africa to the Americas , and Bristol was firmly established as the premier city in Britain after London

The walls of the old harbour provide an exce llent viewing platform for the racing which attracts some 50,000 spectators each day. This is probably the on ly speedboat racing venue in the wor ld where spectators can look down on the driver in his cockpit as he roars round the course at high speeds

This year race days were hot and sunny. For each day we had on duty 10 ambu lances and crews and 50 members plus cadets - some 150 people. SJA Avon's mobile unit was also there. We were on duty from 10 am to 6 pm at seven first a id posts. Our ob li gat io n is to be on duty throu gho ut the programme and we cannot s and down until the last rescue boat is out of the water.

Over the yea rs this duty h as see n some fatal tragedies. In 1985, the high walls around the dock and an old etty claimed lives. But this year all went well. Six patients were taken to h ospital , including a pobce patrolman involved in a road accide nt , we treated over 200 casualties for cuts, famting , stomach upset , etc. The race commentator was grateful to two young SJ ladles

County Surgeon Bob Heath, who is on the spot throughout the weekend of racing, with the team at the mobile unit

WHERE ' S the loa ? How many times h ave we been asked that on duty? For we can't consider ourselves fully-fledged Brigade members until we have sent at least one person in the right direction! But don't despair! Spend a few hours in uniform at Gatwick as our D/O D Birch and I did recently while waiting for a patient on a delayed flight and you too could find yourself promot e d to provide information on everything but the 100 We started by escorting a lady to the rai lway station. (Well it was something to do while waiting for our flight.) Then we were shown a ticket (by a woman again) and asked which terminal she sho uld be in - no problem , the new North terminal tickets are clearly marked.

What's this? Another woman now thinks we are Securi ty. We don t wait to hear the problem , but tell her to find someone wearing the correct' uniform. Now here comes a man. They have problems too , it seems. Ah no this one is a retired member from Weybridge Division waiting for hi s daughter. Over a chat he told us a story of how , a few years ago while visiting Australia , he was a few hundred miles out in the bush when at a sma ll 'outpost he was confronted by a woman who was sure she knew him and where did he come from? She dashed indoors and produced a photograph taken at a royal wedding in London the previous year. And sure enough , there was our man from Weybridge, on duty in St John uniform. We were interrupted at this point by a gentleman wanting change.

The time now passes quite quickly as we continue to wander around. Ohhere s another. Where do I get a taxi? What time does the last train leave for Vic toria? And a sigh of relief when we explain the trains run all night.

Now a foreign gent leman organising a party of travellers is one person short. How does he phone Oxford and how much will it cost? A bit tricky this one , but we don t let the Brigade down. He gets his information Now a rather concerned foreign lady meeting a passenger off a flight is alarmed to see In Customs Hall' flash up on the screen I think she must have assumed her friend has been waylaid for smuggling or something. But a few reassuring words soon put things right.

Is there any end to this we ask ourselves. Not yet. We are now confronted by a very anxious yo ung foreign l a d y whose friend hasn t arrived on the flight she should be on. What should she do? We suggest the Information Desk , but she has already tried there it seems. So we advise her to go home to London an d wait for a phone call. (A half-hour later she is still wandering around looking very worried ) Sorry madam - we haven t got our magic wand with us today.

At last our fught is announced and we can do the work we train to do - meet our patient sympathetically and take her home in our ambulance. Yes, St John members do provide an 'information service for mankind. Oh , I nearly forgot, we were asked once where s the 'lao Pam Gauld DIS

The new edition contains t he text for adult and cadet nursing cours es and the cadet level of child care. The U sers Gu de indicates the syllabus parts of the text to be covered and the st andards to be attained

The emphasis of the second edition is unchanged. The patient is consider e d as a whole person with a vital part to pla y in the orgarrisation of his care

The text has been revised in line with current teaching. Photographs are included for the first time , new diagrams have been added and others redrawn. The sections on diet have been expanded Mouth care has been simplified and kaolin poultice omitted New material has been adde d on helping the patient in the shower , the swing Ilft day surgery sc a ns the problems of sudden dea th and the

Rosemary Bailey

1. In the treatment of a fractured neck, when showld Y0U release your support of the neck?

a So as to apply the collar

b Never - maintain at all times

c. After the collar is fitted

2. When carrying out resuscitation on a young child, aged 8, the rate of external chest compressions is:

a. 60 per minute

b. 80 per minute. c.100perminute d 120 per minute

3. When approaching the scene of an emergency three rules apply.

a. Use common sense b c. Do not attempt to do too much What is B?

5 For which condition is this one of the recommended treatments? and what material should the bag NOT be made of?

4. When cutting a neck ligature why are you advised not to cut through the knot, apart from knots being useful as evidence?

6 Why should this casualty not have his ear plugged or any attempt be made to stem flQW frQm the ear?

7 This is the recommended first stage n the treatment of which condition?

9. When assessing the level of responsiveness we use the coma scale In which UK city was this developed?

10. In the treatment of which condition is this action not recommended?

12. When treating cramp of the thigh th s is part of the treatment. For which part of the thigh?

14. When treating heatstroke in this manner at what bodS temperature is it considered safe to stop?

When treating chemical burns in

15. When treating a sting in the skin having removed the sting what may be applied to relieve pain and swelling?

RED CROSS EMBLEM

The April 1988 St John R eview contained the statement the red cross is a British Motor Sport regulation on all medical vehicles' (caption, page 76) In fact the use of the Red Cross emblem is not a part of British Motor Sport regulations, and the position at Brands Hatch has now been rectified

Use of the Red Cross name and emblem within the United Kingdom is governed by the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. The prior authorisation of the Defence Council must be obtained. In practice normally only the medical services of the armed forces and for limited purposes , the British Red Cross Society are so authorised

The reason for this strict control is that the Red Cross emblem is the universally recognised symbol of neutrality and impartial assistance during armed conflicts. It protects the victims of warfare and those who seek to assist them. If the Red Cross emblem is used for any other reasons , its unique significance may be diluted and lives may be lost .

British Red Cross Society

THOSE NURSING OFFICERS

Michael A. Meyer Head , Legal and Committee Services Department

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation.

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

In th e mining industry we have our own system whereby first aid is compulsory for all officials and is offered to any interested employee. As a redundant medical attendant of Welbeck Colliery after 27 years in the Medical Centre, and now out of work, I do not require the FA W certificate but am told that without FAWI will not be efficient at the end of the year - after being in St John since 1949, from cadet to superintendent. Is it any wonder we are losing members?

Schools Project

Headmaster gets award

THE SPECIAL One Cross First Aid Award was presented to Jim Wells headmaster of Pool School , Redruth , by SJA's Lionel Howell, the fourth such award to be made in Cornwall.

At Redruthheadmaster Jim Wells, with some of his pupils receives the Special Certificate from SJA's Lionel Howell. (Photo Pet er Hughes ).

Following the article 'Caring for your Nursing Officer, (August Review) I write to urge all members especially divisional officers and superintendents, to reread the article. Florence Wilson raised some very important points that need thinking about and in many cases acting upon at divisional level and above .

I would disagree with the author on only one point : that is that nursing officers should not interfere with the running of the first aid post. I would suggest that in many cases the nurse is the proper person to run a post as his or her training places great emphas is on managerial skills.

Members who reread the article may think carefully about their nursing officer's role in ambulance and first aid training Their professional role is one of responsibility towards the patient , whether it be in moving them, treatment or the ongoing care following treatment. St John members have so much to gain from an enthusiastic nursing officer who is allowed to give and share their skills. All this, put together , can only lead to a more confident and prepared division.

The article remarks on the importance of a nursing officer active in first aid duties being up to date; an absolute must , don t forget nurses are not trained in first aid during their professional training I would suggest that any nursing officer of whatever rank must be up to date regarding nursing. I am aware of a significant number of area and county nursing officers in St John who are non-practising nurses, and in some cases have been so for over 5 years! I do not deny their value to St John but I do question their ability to teach and supervise nursing when they do not practise it. It certainly causes disatisfaction to nursing officers who have to answer to senior nursing officers whose practice and knowledge is outdated and, in a couple of instances I am aware of, potentially harmful to the patient.

In summary, please don't relegate your nursing officer to making beds and bed baths; remember most of us didn't join St John to just nurse and our skills are many and varied. They apply to the roadside accident as well as the ward bedside. Let's all work together for the benefit of mankind.

Worthing A. E. Kemp, SRN (Mr)

FIRST AID

AT WORK

As FAW was made compulsory by Government, is it not the Government's responsibility to see that all employers are encouraged to train their employees in the knowledge of FA W, and not to impose FA W on voluntary organisations such as St John and the Red Cross?

Welbeck Colliery Division D Priest, DIS

'R' STANDS FOR WHAT?

I thought the only time retired SJ A people could wear uniform was with written permission from the Order. But at the Mansion House on St John's Day I noticed a good many uniformed people with 'R' on their shoulder, and a good many women, who I imagine were past retirement age, with no 'R' at all.

I don't know if the R stands for Retired Reserve or Rebel. Please would someone state which of the three it is?

RydeloW

P ete r Malone

A Notts County Badg ers tea party was held in Wollaton Park to celebrate the movement's first birthday. Over 100 Badgers from all over the county attended and our photo shows the County Badger Leader, Miss Jean Godfrey, with some of them. During the afternoon their activities attracted much interest from members of the public, so hopefully some new recruits will soon be joining. A competition for the best banner was won by the Sherwood Set.

Mr Howell, who has been teaching at the school for three years, has instructed over 700 pupils in basic life support first aid. Unemployed and giving instruction free of charge , Mr Howell was delighted with the results and 'is sure the area must be one of the safest in which to live'. He also said that we hear so much today of young people causing trouble but not enough about those who do good work. The pupils of Pool School have shown that they will be able to help the community with first aid skills.

Mr Wells thanked Mr Howell for all his work over the past three years, stating that the humanities and caring high on Its pnontles. He was proud to receive the special certificate which will be display ed in the school's entrance.

Police Chief presents awards

When it comes to first aid, the pupils of Hopgood County Primary School , Heywood , Lancs, have a first class record.

To prove it the school has now been awarded the Special Certificate the first to be presented in the town. It was handed over by the Chief Superintendent of Rochda le Police , Brian Hargreaves, who is also president of Rochdale SJA

Pedigree Petfoods sponsor

Ten fourth-year pupils at Brownlow County Primary School, Leicester, became the first in the area to qualify for the initial stage of the Three Cross Award.

Instructed by teacher Mrs Wallis the children took part in a pilot scheme fu'nded by Pedigree Petfoods. Commenting on the value of the course , Mrs Wallis said: If knew how to achieve an open auway , thousands of lives would be saved.'

Following a final assessment by Mrs Jean Bowes senior lay instructor , SJA Leicestershire , all candidates earned a pass and received their One Cross Award certificate and badge from Denise Reed at Pedigree Petfoods. ' Mrs Bowes stressed that she would like contin.ued on p.239

In Lancs - Pol ice Chief Supt Brian Hargreaves (left) presents a Spec ia Certificate to Hopgood School's Chris Jones, with Inspector Ian Toothill , who runs many of the first aid classes at the school.

In Leics - Brownlow School pupils receive their certificates, with Den se Reed of Pedigree Petfoods, teacher Mrs Wallis and SJA s Mrs Bowes

In Chesh re - County Director Designate , Mr R. Dobson presents a Special Certif icate to Chester's Bishops High School for their success in the SJ Three Cross Award Scheme The Emergency Aid course is now on the curriculum for all fourth year pupils at the school

Headmaster Mr J K. Jackson who received the certificate , is to be congratulated. (Photo Chester Chronicle).

NEWS from SCOTLAND

LADY MARJORY Lindsay, Dowager Countess of Lindsay, died on July 23. Lady Lindsay , widow of the first Prior of Scotland, was one of only six members of the Order who had been appointed before Scotland was made a separate Priory in June 1947 and were still on the roll at the 40th anniversary celebrations last year.

Lady Lindsay had in fact become a member of the Order in the early days of the Second World War, during which she

WALES

HAVING their heads in the clouds is something youngsters are often accused of and that 's exactly what 11-year-old Jonathan Morgan did in July.

Jonathan , a pupil of Pentrepoeth Primary School, Newport, Gwent , was picked for a flight from Cardiff Airport for being the 12,OOOth pupil in Wales to receive first aid training in a Welsh School.

(The day of the flight also happened to be his birthday!)

Meanwhile on the ground, 33 of his fellow pupils were also presented with their Three Cross Award certificates and badges by the chairman of Gwent's Education Committee, Graham Powell , the Mayor of Newport, Councillor Mrs Veronica Bradon, the Director of Association in Wales , Dr George Mitchell, and Keith Dunn, the Chief Training Co-ordinator for Wales.

The spedal presentation was arranged by Captain John Morgan, co-ordinator of the St John Air Wing in Wales. Jonathan, along with Dr Mitchell and Keith Dunn flew from Cardiff Airport in a four-seater Rockwell 112A Commander Aircraft owned and flown by John Raymond , deputy co-ordinator of the Air Wing in Wales.

organised the St John and Red Cross Hospital Supply Service for Surrey. In 1948 she was made a Dame of the Order and was County President for Surrey until the mid1950s.

In the mid-1950s Lord and Lady Lindsay moved to Fife and on the foundation of the Fife Branch of the St John Association she became its President, a post she held at the time of her death. In addition , Lady Lindsay found time to engage in work on Jonathan, with his Three Cross Award certificate, and (L to R) Dr George Mitchell , Director of Association John Raymond Deputy Co-ordinator of the Air Wing in Wales and Keith Dunn Chief Training Coordinator for Wales (Photo: Western Mail). After three years of fund-raising, Swansea (Plasmarl) Division, dedicates its replacement ambulance at a service by the Rev Leslie Norman, Chaplain for St John. Also there was the Lord Mayor, the chairman of SJ Council, Mr John Powell , and chairman of W Glamorgan Council and Swansea Council.

behalf of other charities including the Arthur Graham Cross Charity and the Marie Curie Memorial Foundation.

At her funeral service , at which there was a large representation from Priory , Chapter and the Fife Association, the Parish Minister the Rev Peter Meager , in paying tribute said Lady Lindsay was one of those lovely ladies who took very seriously the biblical precept that to whom much is given from them much is expected. She certainty gave unstintingly and will be greatly missed.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Special Help for Disabled

FROM TIME to time we in St John Ambulance are asked by relations, neighbours and friends about assistance which is available for disabled people to help improve their daily living

Recently , I have received up to date leaflets from the Gas Consumers Council (GCC 29aIMar 88/60m), the Electricity Council (EC 3948/R1 81) and from Bri tish Rail.

The Gas and Electricity Council leaflets are full of useful information including the special types of knobs and handles for cookers , water heaters and showers , and also for many other appliances which are electrically operated , including air switches which require only a light touch of the finger or toe to operate. Special braille or studded controls can be fitted to some gas and electric cookers.

These leaflets can be obtained from the local Gas and Electricity showrooms/ offices or by writing or telephoning direct to the address on the gas or electricity account.

Advice and help of any kind regarding appliances may also be obtained from the Disabled Living Foundation , 380-384 Harrow Road , London W9 2HU Telephone 01-289 6111 .

The new British Rail and Disabled Travellers leaflet (Q 00014/A5000 5 88 3.89. SPL PromlDel 1.) appears to cover all rail services for disabled passengers. Inter-City , Inter-City sleepers , motor-rail

Controls

The illustration shows some of the ways that appliances and lights can be controlled more easily. Brailled controls for some new large appliances (mainly cookers) are available free of charge from most major appliance manufacturers by arrangement with the Royal National Institute for the Blind Your Electricity Board can arrange for this when the appliance is purchased Contro knobs of some existing appliances can be brailled by the RNIB too. A nominal charge is madecontact them direct for this service For severely disabled people, there s a spec al control system called POSM (Patient Operated Selector Mechanism) which can operate numerous electric appliances by minimal movement - details from your Social Services office.

and local and surburban services. On the latest Inter-City trains some seats and tables are removable to allow wheelchair passengers to travel in their own chair ) provided it does not exceed 24 V2 ins (622 mm) in width. The table can usually be replaced once the wheelchair is positioned. Please note that a pro rata refund of 50% will be made to wheelchair-bound Railcard holders for any section of a journey where space for a wheelchair is not available in the passenger accommodation and the passenger thus has to travel in the guard's van. The facilities available at stations vary widely but the leaflet gives helpful advice on how to approach the special requirements of disabled passengers , including both refreshment and toilet facilities

British Rail also has the Disabled Persons Railcard which helps considerably with the price of fares for regular travellers. Finally, the new 'Disability Rights Handbook' is now available and covers 'absolutely everything (like our Badgers song). The book is available price £3.50 (post free) from Disability Alliance, ERA 25 Denmark Street , London WC2H 8NU. For those not wishing to buy the Handbook but would like information from it, then most libraries and Citizens Advice Bureaux will have a copy.

Jeanne Mercer Chief Welfare Officer

Correction: Care in the Communi ty, Sept R evie w, last paragraph a SHORT report on headed note paper .' should have read in headed note form

On a visit to the Province during the summer, Prince Edward had a chat with members of the Northern Ireland SJA District Board. With the Prince is District Staff Officer (Cadets) Marvin Gowdy. (Photo: News Letter)

Jeann e Mercer

News from Divisions/Centres

THANKS!

AVON: A £1,000 cheque was presented by Mr 'Bunny' Labbett (centre), of the Waggon and Horses, Clevedon, to Miss Myra Meredith, area commissioner Looking on are Mr Ray Booth , divisional president (seated right) and d ivisional members.

Do you know your manual? (4) Answers

1. B

2. C.

3. Know your Limitation s.

4. Knots are difficult to cut through.

6. May cause build-up of pressure inside the middle ear.

7. A wound to tbe eye.

8. Tablets specifica ll y for the relief of menstrual cramp.

5. Hiccups , pl astic. 9. Glasgow.

10. Major epilepsy.

Brigade Finals (cont. from p.223)

sister was anxious to take her out for a while and needed help to get her dressed and into the wheelchair. The judge commented on the patience and caring shown by the competitors and on the good standard of practical nursing. The assessing and planning needed more practice as these aspects were rather muddled.

Individual test 3

The patient in this test was recovering from a 'stroke' but needed help and encouragement to continue with exercises. At the start the patient was slumped in an armchair. He needed to be stood up, encouraged to walk correctly and to exercise his paralysed arm before sitting at the dining table in readiness for lunch. His wife was within earshot in the kitchen and could be available to help if required. Some competitors assessed the patient's needs well, planned the care and achieved quite a high overall standard. The patient required a dose of medicine which the majority of c0mpetitors failed to measure accurately.

238

11. Fractures of ch e ekbone and upper jaw

12. Back of thigh.

13. Free drainage of water.

14. 38°C or 101°F

15. Surgical spirit. Solution of bicarbonate of soda.

Individual test 4

This test was set in the patient's bedroom, where a young mother had a boil on her arm. She had recently had her first baby, which was sleeping peacefully in the cot beside her. The competitor was to show the patient how to make and apply a kaolin poultice and also to give her a dose of medicine. The grandmother was there to help. This proved to be a difficult test. Few cadets knew how to make the poultice or to bandage it in place correctly. Safety was a factor in this test - the poultice was not tested for heat before being applied. The judge commented on the amount of time wasted - lack of planning, starting the treatment then changing to do something else, unnecessary talk, all this resulted in failure to complete the test in the time allocated. The approach to the patient and her mother was good, and the competitors were most considerate in carrying out the care.

Helen Gribble Deputy Chief Nursing Officer

SUPPLIES UPDATE

ALL ACCOUNT holders will have received our latest mailing, including details of our Christmas range. There's a comprehensive selection of Christmas cards available and a copy of the leaflet is in this Review. If you've already had the leaflet , please pass on this copy to members who will be interested in the range. There s also a new range of diaries , so now is the time to order before the Christmas rush .

Don ' t forget to order the two best selling publications Caring for the Sick and First Aid Questions and Answers both of which are totally new editions. There's a massive demand and the first copies have already been despatched.

At the time of writing there s news of a threatened post.:}l disruption Postal difficulties can affect the speed with which your orders reach us and we have contingency arrangements which will enable your orders to reach you just as quickly as usual , although total disruption could seriously affect us.

Remember account holders can telephone their orders 24 hours a day on 01- 251 2484. If you have access to a Fax machine Fax your order to us on 01-253 8826. This will minimise delay in your order reaching us

This month will be the last opportunity to take .advantage of the final reductions in our earlier sale. Page four of Supplies New s lists the last few items. Where else can you buy a pure wool black sweater for £5 or a tea towel for 60p (handy as a Christmas present!)? But hurry , quantities are strictly limited.

Our showroom will open on Saturday , November 19 from 9 am till 1 pm so if you re planning a trip to London that day , call in and see us It will be an ideal opportunity to buy cards and diaries.

Our latest Supplies News has an Autumn offer on black sweaters. The price reo duction app li es on all sizes including V-necks size 36"-46/1. The copy in Supplies News may give the impression that only the size 36/1 has been reduced.

New products avai labl e this month include :

ASSOCIATION

Schools Project (cont. from p.23S)

to see the course taught in every school in the country and welcomed Pedigree Petfoods initiative in supporting the venturean offer which extends to any school in the Melton Borough undertaking the initial scheme.

Schools Project Manager

Anne Macleod

Schools nominated for the Special 50 plus Certificate

B uckinghamshire

Cressex School , Bucks.

Cornwall

Penair School , Truro.

Cumbria

Camp Road Jm School Maryport

Derbyshire

Frederick Gent School, South Normanton.

Essex

Brittans School , Rainham.

Greater Manchester

Hopwood CP School, Rochdale.

Pemberton Community High School , Wigan.

Hertfordshire Holmshill School , Borehamwood.

Block Buster (15) ANSWERS

Kent Aylesham CP School.

Northfleet School for Boys

Lincolnshire

Branston School & Community College.

London

Parkhouse Middle School , Wimbledon.

Norfolk

Firside Middle School , Heloesden, Norwich.

S & W Yorkshire

Balby Middle School.

Surrey

Cheam Park Farm Jm School , N Cheam.

Sussex

Falmer Comprehensive School , Sussex. Whitehouse CP School , Hailsham. Rocks Park School , Uckfield

Warwicks

Princethorpe College , Nr Rugby.

Wiltshire

Dorean School , Covington Swindon.

W Midlands Lynden School, Solihull. Cheslyn Hay High School , Walsall. Greswolke Primary School , Solihull.

N Ireland Rocksport School , Cragavad , Co Down.

Counties awarded Special 50 Plus Certificates Avon

We shall be mailing to Badger Account Holders details of our exciting new

of Badger products.

The four Christian virtues: 3

Temperance

THE THIRD arm of the cross of St John , as described to cadets on their enrolment into the St John Ambulance , is 'T emperance - which is self-co ntrol

To most Methodists the word ' temperance refers mainly to alcohol , though some are a bit hazy about it. Two ladi es in one of m y churches went on a package holiday to Spain. On a free afternoon they took a mystery coach ride, which turned out to be a visit to a sherry factory. They were each given a half-bottle as a souvenir. Telling me about it afterwards they said , 'You know we are staunch teetotallers , and would never drink anything like that. So we put it in the trifle!

The word used in the New Testament is Egkrateia which undoubtedl y means selfcontrol , and is the word u se d in the New English Bible. In 'The Republic ' Plato speaks of it as the mas tery of pleasures and desires Xenophon records of Socrates that he was of all men the most master of the desires of love and appetite. That does not come easily to man y.

Every minister ha s corne across people who are grappling with a problem that is spoiling their lives Alcohol, drugs

compulsive gambling and s u ch things are a nightmare to them. They long to break with it and to become masters of themse lves , but they ju st can't do it. Then one da y, some of them re ali se th at it can't be done without outside help. There just isn't eno ugh inner resource.

There are so many pressures on us to be self-ind ulg e nt With mass-production, the mass-media of TV, radio and the press we are all und er pressure of being masspeople' - Do what the rest do - enjoy yourse lf. If you can't afford it, there 's plent y of easy credit! ' We liv e in a polluted atmosphere , and it is very hard to resist the pressure.

All this call s for great qualities of selfcontrol. Goodness does not come spontaneous ly like water running downhill.

Christians know that if a farmer lets his field produce sponta neo u sl y he wil l get a great crop of weeds.

But where to find the outside power? Where to get the strength req uir ed? The secret is in the New Testament for everyone to read. Nicodemus came to Jesus to find it So Jesus asked him a couple of questions: 'Where does the wind come from?' He didn t know. 'W here does it go to?' He didn 't know that either. So Jesus reminded him of what happens to anyone who wa lk s in th e path of the wind. He is carried along b y it 'So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'

REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 10 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across: 1. Fatty degeneration of parts of upper limbs ? It's not catching. (6.7). 9. A name is changed for sign of concus sio n (7). 10. A science gradl!late , female, provides a localised coll e ction of pus. (7)

240

We can put ourselves in the path of God's power and be carried along by it. Today the power that lies behind the atom , that rolls the stars along, can be the power behind our lives. That will give us 'Temperance - which is self-control' 'If we li ve by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Gal 5.25).

Frank Thewlis (Rev)

Next month: FORTITUDE - which is courage.

(Reproduced tram The Methodist Recorder 1987)

OBITUARY

Alfred Fenwick 80, President Whitehav en (Cumbria) Divi sio n , C hairm an and Trustee

Whitehaven Association Centre from 1964

Serving Brother. Died July 27 1988 Late hu s· band of Mrs Lenora Fenwick , Officer of St John George Albert King, 73 , joined Bury Ambu ance Division in 1931. RAMC in World War II R etire d from Brigade as Area Superintendent in 1977. Secretary Bury Ce ntr e 1979 till his death An SEN and Commander of the Order. Chair· man St John Fellowship , Greater Manchester. William Lamb , 88 former No 3 Area Superin· tendent Northumberland who gave more than 50 years service. Com m ander of the Order.

Lt-Col Richard Webb , 80, for nearly 20 years President Dartmouth Combined D ivision and chairman Association Branch. Officer of the Order. Died Jun e 19 1988.

11. Sound quality for tension of muscle at rest. (4). 12. Inflam· matory ophthalmic condition appearing in first year. (4). 13. Dormant micro-organism. (5). 15. Arrived having had pain again (7) . 16. Receive s treatment with forbearance. (7). 18. More than two hundred to nothing put at the back of the head. (7). 2l. Create confusion in mind (7).23. Teach elements in tendon sheath or dura mater of spinal cord. (5) 25. Cheese made badly (4).26. Formed by calcaneum. (4) . 28. Result is response to an emergency call. (4-3). 29. Trout is becoming a sightseeing visitor. (7). 30. Getting better time. (13).

Down:

1. Unexpected good fortune. (7). 2. The work to b e done. (4).3. Elevated to a high position. (7). 4. Sudden exacerbation of symptoms. (5-2) 5. Sun is producing mental or physical effort to achieve an aim. (5). 6. 12 Across is an environmental detraction. (3-4).7 . Lack of resistance to disease-producing organisms. (14). 8. Preventing multiplication of micro-organisms . (14). 14. Small flake fracture in the computer. (4). 17. Word for end of normal period of pregnancy. (4). 19 Rank indicator. (7).20. The change of rate for operations (7). 21. Surgeon who uses non-metallic instruments? (7).22. Tenure upset about one within the womb. (7).24. P leasa nt odour. (5).27. Injury produced by high temperature (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.9 (88)

Across: 1. Cruciate; 5. P·hob·ia; 9. Diplegia; 10. Mias·ma; 12. Serum; 13. Mole ; 14. A·lms; 16. Iciness; 18 Nourish; 20. Puberty; 22. L ·esions ; 23. Do·do ; 25. Swim ; 26. Sauna; 28. Insane; 29. Salivate; 31. Cloves; 32. Mo·on·beam.

Down: 1. Cod; 2. Upper limb; 3. Ileum ; 4. Trismus; 6. Hair; 7. Basal; 8. Anaesthesia; 11. Plan ; 12. Slipped disc; 15. Fuss; 17. Ecru; 19. Inoculate; 21. Yaws; 22. Lumbago; 24. Disc·o;

FREE COLLECTING BOXES FOR ALL DIVISIONS!

THE MARKETING Department at Grosvenor Crescent, with the co-operation of St John Supplies, has produced a new ambulance-shaped collecting box.

An initial production run has been sponsored by American Express, so ALL DIVISIONS WILL RECEIVE TWO BOXES FREE OF CHARGE! This free allocation will be sent to Counties for collection by Divisions by the middle of October.

This new collecting box offers an excellent opportunity to extend our profile into pubs, shops and hotels, etc, and it is expected that Counties and Divisions will purchase extra models to achieve as wide a distribution as possible. Further boxes from this initial production run are available from St John Supplies at a price of £3.95 for one box, although this will be reduced to £3.00 per box for orders of 50 or more.

Please distribute the boxes as soon as you collect your free allocation from your County Office. The Public Relations Department at Grosvenor Crescent will be co-ordinating a national press launch in mid November, but to do this we must have as many boxes as possible in pubs, etc.

For further details about the scheme, please contact the Marketing Department at National HO, tel: 01-2355231.

TJOHN REVIEW

THE ORDER FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

at the GRAND PRIORY CHURCH St John's Gate, Clerkenwell with the TRINITY BOYS' CHOIR

Director of Music: David Squibb on Tuesday, 13 December 1988 at 6.30 for 7.00 p.m.

Arranged by The Order of St John Musical Society in conjunction with The Carol Service Committee of The Order of StJohn Ceremonial Staff

Tickets £7 each, children under 16 £3

Cheques payable to Support St John Ltd., (FOC) with sae to Order of St John Musical Society, St John's Gate, London EC1M 4DA Telephone: 01-253-6644

24-hour Ansaphone jor Bookings/Messag es 01-251 5680

Neare s t Underground Station: FARRINGDON (M e t .IC ircl e Lin e)

PR Message of the Month:

NEW-LOOK MAGAZINE FOR 1989 STJOHN

A NEW ST JOHN magazine is to be launch ed in the New Year. The first issue of St John World will appear in January 1989 and will replace the Review

The magazine has an exciting new design, including a full colour cover and use of colour in the magaz ine. Many interesting features on a wide variety of topics are already planned for the first issues. Future copies of Badger Buzz , the Association and Brigade Newsletters and so on will be inserted into the magazine, so subscribers can be sure to keep abreast of all that is h ap pening in the worl d of St John.

Of course , we continue to ask yo u to sen d your contributions of local new s and photograph s to the Editor as there will be a special section featuring new s from around the country.

The first edition of the new magazine in January will be posted immediately after the New Year. The cover price will rise by a modest 5 pence per issue and an annual subscription in Britain will cost £12.50. (overseas

with just two minutes of your time.

Poll shows lack of first aid knowledge

A LACK OF first aid knowledge was revealed by a nationwide poll of more than three thousand people aged six upwards conducted by St John Ambulance to establish how much the British public know about basic emergency aid technique s. Four multiple choice questions on how to treat a badly cut arm, a faint , a nosebleed and a burn revealed some surprising answers

Half of those questioned would not know what to do if a person had a nosebleed , and a third would have given the incorrect treatment for a severe cut People polled in the South West had a greater knowledge of first aid than those in other regions

. Many adults revealed a worrying lack of knowledge of current first aid procedures: 16% would try to revive a person who had fainted by slapping them on the face , and 15% of all those questioned would put keys or cold objects down the person's back if they had a nosebleed. More serious, however, is the fact that a quarter of adults would apply a torniquet to a badly cut arm; this technique is outdated and dangerous.

On learning of the poll results the St John Ambulance Director-General, Robert Balchin, said: 'Overall the poll reveals a horrifyingly inadequate knowledge of first aid. It is important that people know what to do in an emergency. Going on a first aid course is the ideal way of acquainting yourself with all the basic skills. Learning first aid is not difficult and can save lives.'

'People of all ages can learn first aid skills easily,' he went on. 'Schoolchildren all around the country have taken part in the successful St John Ambulance Three Cross Award Scheme and learnt how to cope in an emergency

GRAND PRIOR JOINS IN TRAINING

ON SUNDAY, September 18 , HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the Order of St John, took part in a St John Ambulance training day at Cheltenham Race Course.

During the visit , HRH experienced for himself the problems which face first-aiders

rescuing casualties from a smoke-filled room and other aspects of the first -aid work carried out by members on duty at public events of all kinds throughout the co untr y He watched training courses for first-aiders , met the Badgers and also was himself bandaged by cadets

SJA Jamaica Hurricane Appeal

ST JOHN Ambulance immediately launched an appeal to help the people of Jamaica hit by Hurricane Gilbert during September , the worst hurricane this century. It is estimated that more than 500 ,000 people (one in five of Jamaica s popUlation) were left homeless , hospitals in major cities were severely damaged, most roads made impassable and the airport unusable for all but li ght aircraft.

St John Ambulance also responded immediately by sending (shipped within 48 hours) an ambulance and medical supplies.

'The immediate needs are very great, said Dr Mac Corry, SJ A Dir ector of Primary Health Care. 'We hope that the public will respond and enable the 6 ,500 St John Ambulance volunteers on the island to

provide emergency and long-term assistance.'

St John Ambulance has 250 ,000 volunteers in 38 countries worldwide and has been established in Jamaica for 80 years. While St John in Jamaica has th e manpower to provide real assistance in the present crisis , it does not have the financia l resources to meet the extraordinary needs caused by this latest natural disaster.

In the coming months, St John Ambulance will be involved in providing shelter, organising feeding schemes , and clinics. Funds raised will be used to help meet these requirements in Jamaica. Donations should be sent to: St John Ambulance Jamaica Appeal , 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EF.

At a Mansion House dinner in aid of the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem , hosted by the Lord Mayor of London Sir Greville Spratt, HM Queen Noor of Jordan and the Du chess of Gloucester are presented with bouquets by Seta Ohanessian , 15, of Ramallah on the West Bank, whose younger brother received treatment at the hospital. The 300 guests were shown a film about the hospital's work

St. John Ambulance Brigade FREEPOST 1 Grosvenor Crescent London SWIX7BR

SURPRISINGLY , much of the British public is still not aware that St John Ambulance Brigade members are volunteers and that our organisation is funded by voluntary donations

So National HQ introduced the Point of Care cards (above) which should be given to patients who have just been treated by Brigade members. And we hope that patients will fill them in and return them , freepost , to Brigade Headquarters.

The cards tell the public that we are a voluntary organisation and give them the opportunity to receive more information about first aid cour ses and the Brigade itself. Which is an excellent opportunity to recruit new members Included on the card is a section for patient s comments and from a pilot scheme the overwhelming views were that Brigade members are very helpful , very sympathetic and skilled at

POINT OF CARE cards

To help you help yourself

treating people. Two examples of comment were: from a patient treated in North Yorkshire ' Friendly , efficient and professional ', and from a patient treated in Avon Skilful , devoted , friendly service at show and arranged check-up at Southmead Hospital. All much appreciated When the Point of Care cards are returned to National Headquarters the names and addresses will be put on our Malcolm Rutherford on

TURNING GREENISH

I SHOULD make perhaps a brief bow of introduction. I have been asked to write a short column un til such time as the Editor, the Head of the Order or the readers object. As a journalist , that should be relatively easy. In fact , it is extraordinarily difficult. Normally, when I write for the Financial Times, the subject dictates itself: an editorial on the verdict on the Gibraltar killings, for example. There is also the discipline of the deadlin e. Any daily journalist knows that if you do not write an article on time , you might as well not write at all , for the paper has to corne out and the wonder is that it usually does. Not least , we have recently abandoned the typewriter for a form of silent technology that Fleet Street spent years trying to resist. I still miss the old clatter , which was a reminder that you were producing something.

central donor base with a special county code , and then when a mail appeal is made net profit from donations will be sent to the relevant counties. If members of divisions always have a good supply of the cards with them when on duty and conscientiously hand them out and ask people to be kind enough to fill them in and post, there is no reason w hy this scheme should not prove to be highly effective in raising funds for counties.

The scheme has already been operating successfully up and down the country and now that Headquarters has received a delivery of more cards from the printers , they are availab le on request free of charge , from your local county office or from Paul Bumstead or Alison Davey in the Marketing Department at Brigade Headquarters, 1 Grosvenor Crescent , London SW1X 7EF. Tel. 01-2355231.

Indeed she has started objecting to a great deal else including - some 10 years after the event - the maple syrup that she was fed as a baby because it contained a wrong chemical. And when it comes to food shopping, children have become very powerful. Sainsbury s know this ; so do the other supermarket chains. In September there was a national green week for consumers. I read some of the research. It said that mothers with teenage children were becoming increasingly susceptible to their children s tastes and that the children were growing steadily greener. The gree n influence is picked up partly at school, but also -I am told - from London's Capital Radio , which puts out a stream of green programmes. The supermarkets are adapting.

There is nothing wrong with that. Few

So I start, out of the blue, with the incident of the apricot jam. There was a thin layer of mould on top of it at breakfast the other day. The first instinct was to throw it away. Then I thought that there might be legitimate grounds for a complaint to Mr Sainsbury. My wife explained , however , that it was very special jam ; you scraped off the mould and ate the rest. It had been bought because our eldest daughter has started objecting to additives.

of us would wish to go back to the days when there were no sell by' labels on supermarket products. It has become an almost automatic reaction to check them before buying. Yet they are a relatively recent innnovation ; no-one thought them necessary a few years ago. And there may be more changes to come. The reason why most British people dislike American sausage , for example is that it is made to such high standards. The British banger can contain almost anything; not so in America , nor in continental Europe. One may say the same about much British bread and a great deal of what passes in this country for coffee. American coffee is usually excellent.

Yet the fact is that not only have we become used to low standards in Bri tain; we even take pride in them. Which other country, for instance, would put up with such disgusting public houses or tolerate so much litter , much of it coming from take-away food?

Perhaps I have been brainwashed by the children. I have begun to look at the ingredients list e d on the packaging and become suspicious if a jam is too brightly coloured. But the process has taken a long time and still meets resistance.

That is why - to end on a more familiar editorial note -I welcomed the speech by the Prime Minister last month suggesting that she too is turning greenish. After all, the Conservative Party by definition should be the party of conservation.

First Aid32 years ago

DR JIMMY GRAHAM, THE SURGEON-IN-CHIEF WHO

RETIRED THIS YEAR, lOOKS BACK

I HAVE BEEN involved with Brigade Finals since I came to National Headquarters in 1966 but my first experience of the event was ten years earlier when I acted as a judge. At that time we had no casualty simulation and no scenery. The injuries were listed on a blackboard and the competitors treated the injuries rather than the casualty. There were 'set treatments' for 'set injuries'. The text of the Manual was learnt by rote and faithfully recited by the competitors. There was no thoughtful handling of the casualties according to priorities. Perhaps that was all that was needed.

Apart from competitions, the severely injured casualty who would expect to survive today would not have survived then. There was, by today's standards, no effective resuscitation, not even a truly effective way of securing an airway. In those days what happened outside hospital was primitive and there was not anything beyond first aid. The resuscitation equipment commonplace on ambulances today did not exist and the standards of ambulance aid were identical with first aid. The statutory ambulance service was rudimentary and sometimes non-existent, much of it still being provided by St John itself. It was a very ancient and decrepit St John vehicle that took my wife to hospital when our daughter was born - almost born, I may say, in the ambulance. I don't think I was particularly comforted to know there was a section on emergency childbirth in the St John manual.

Despite this

The medical input to first aid other than in training was restricted to surgical teams called out from hospital to amputate trapped limbs or 'first aid' given by a passing doctor. Despite all this, the Brigade had a sound corps of surgeons who were well thought of within the Brigade.

First aid today has two faces, which is our dilemma. The first is that which anyone - layman, nurse or doctor - can do with their bare hands. The second is that which the lay volunteer can undertake with proper training and equipment in the time at his disposal and, most importantly, proper on-going professional supervision. There has been a consequefit explosion in the range and quality of care that can be

Jimmy Graham started working for SI John as an Association lecturer and examiner in 1945. He joined the Brigade in 1952 as a Divisional Surgeon to Number 13 British Railways Division in London District. He moved to Grosvenor Crescent in 1966 becoming Surgeon-in-Chief in 1974, from which post he retired after Brigade Finals this year at which he distributed the prizes.

offered and public expectation is correspondingly increased.

In the United States such a trend has also led to increasing litigation for negligence and this may well follow over here.

One effect of this is the bad Samaritan' syndrome, where doctors, nurses and others may fail to stop and render help to a sick or injured person. There are also for doctors problems of medical defence insurance. The retired doctor who wants to continue glvmg service to St John Ambulance has to continue his defence society subscription if he is not entitled to the full retirement concession. At worst the cost today is £1,260 pa, at best £360 pa Even the lower rate is a high price to pay for the privilege of serving the Ambulance'. Returning to public expectation, however , the public expects even volunteer experts to be expert and will sue those who are not.

Public expectation

Rising consumerism has also led to increasing legislation and the imposition of strict liability of which the new Consumer Protection Act , effective from March 1 this year, is the latest requirement. This will, as I see it, necessitate strict record keeping of all vehicles, equipment and supplies with a strict adherence to maintenance schedules to professional standards. This only reflects public expectation on all health matters. It is, therefore, essential to lay down tight standards of first aid, ambulance aid and other activities such as driving, vehicle and equipment maintenance. It is also necessary to retain statutory standards, even if we consider these to be lower than we require of Brigade members on duty. It is, however, in my view important that an independent outside agency not only lays down the standards but also monitors the standards and the method by which they are maintained.

ASSOCIATION Schools Project

This is a major strain on our resources but it has to be met. Some of you , I know , disagree with this view , but I am cert ain that the credibility of the Brigade and it s work depends on acceptance of thi s imposition. The alternative of self regulation has a poor track r e cord in other fields of ende a vour

The home caring role for which we anticipate expansion of our efforts in the future raises similar problems to that of first aid Problems of litigation in ho s pital due to poor nursing can extend i nto the community care in th e home Pati e nt s fa lling out of bed bed sore s and errors in administration of medicin e a re good example s of such n e gligence. Thus hom e care demands the same input from th e profess ional nurse as fir st aid d e mand s from the doctor

Why is this m y me ss age today ?

It is because your s urgeons and professional nurses ar e the guardians o f your standards. They must be i nvolved in your training , in your supervision and in your retraining They also have a vicarious responsibility for the quality of your practise in all this work done by the Brigade

The buck stops there

You will need mor e not less form a l tr aining than in th e past. You will nee d more involvement of your profession al officers

The Commissioner-in-Chief is taking active steps to remove some of the administrative difficulties which currently impair recruitment. To attract new members I am very happy to see very different and lower standards for initial entry into the Brigade. It is what happens after joining that is important. Wh a tever job a member is tasked to do , it is ess e ntial that their standard of skill matches the demands of the job.

All this brings me back to the doctorsdifficult to recruit, difficult to retain and difficult to deploy effectively in their proper role. Despite this I think we need them . Many have made and are still making an outstanding contribution to the Brigade. I , for my part , can only say thank you ' to all the doctors - and nurses - who have enriched my profess ional life in SI John for the last 40 years. As I leave to join the ranks of the old and the bold , I wish Dr Briaf,1 Lewis every success in taking over from me.

Help skill

STONEYDOWN PARK Junior School

Walthamstow , is a safer place because 50 pupils have gained the Association ' s One Cross Award certificate. So pleased is teacher Christine Rickaby that she now wants her younger pupils to become Badgers and the first aid course, she says is only part of a broad health education

The pupils of Stoneydown Park School worked hard throughout the term and their work includ e d learning the life saving skills of emergency aid and dealing with an emergency at home or in the street.

The presentation of the One Cross Award certificates was by Jim' of the Hendon Police and the SJ A video and the pupils were thrilled to meet him The head teacher Peter Preedy was presented with the Special 50 plus certificate .

Lions' Club support

Schoolchildren of Doncaster were given the chance to win first aid awards with special courses on emergency aid - and the SJA Three Cross Award scheme was chosen And the first 39 youngsters to complete the scheme recently received their awards in a ceremony at Danum School , Doncaster.

Doncaster Lions Club sponsored the Department of Health promotion by providing a resuscitation model and video for lessons so the Lions president presented the certificates to the 13- and 14-year-olds who had completed the One Cross Award

(Above) At Walthamstowhead teacher

Peter Preedy and Anne Macleod with Specia Certificate and front row) Jim with cert ificatewinning pupils.

Doncaster Lions pres dent (right) with certificate winners of Danum School.

International

The International Community School , London has decided to use the Three Cross Award scheme to teach emergency aid. The pupils , who come from a diverse group of nations , have learned to live and study together in London even though their countries ma y be fighting each other.

Fifteen pupils passed the One Cross Award and the Rev. Peter Galloway , SJA Ass istant Director-General , presenting the certificates , said this was the first international school to be involved in the Three Cross Award scheme and he looked

SJA Assistant D rectorGeneral, the Rev Peter Galloway presented certificates at London s International Community School. forward to hearing of progress made by the pupil s with their Emergency Aid course. Anne Macleod Schools Project Manager

NATIONAL RAFFLE UPDATE

THE MARKETING Department at National HQ has again been deluged with requests for raffle tickets and has asked that counties and divisions bear with them if they do not receive the tickets by return post! Headquarter ' s parcel post is sent out on Tuesdays and Thursdays only so tickets are sent out on these days. BUT PLEASE KEEP PHONING IN YOUR REQUESTS. WE MUST BEAT LAST YEAR S TARGET OF £90 000.

If you want more tickets we are pleased to send them to you , but only

on receipt of the previously sold counterfoils.

The following counties have not yet applied for any tickets : Guernsey , Isle of Man and Jersey

If you haven't applied for tickets because you are organising your own raffle that is fine , but otherwise PLEASE DO NOT MISS THIS MARVELLOUS FUND-RAISING OPPORTUNITY. Remember , you keep the proceeds from all ticket sales.

Just a reminder of the prizes: 1st - Ford Fiesta 1100 Popular Plus

2nd - Weekend Break for Two in Paris

3rd - FlylDrive Weekend to France. 4th - Portable Colour Television Set

Remember to return all stubs of sold tickets to the Marketing Department at National HQ by Friday, November 25 1988 so as to ensure they are included in the draw.

The draw will take place on the morning of Wednesday , December 7, and the winners will be published in the January issue.

EUO. BLANCATCIO. COJ'l.MENDAT M ELI T. 'viARCH CDLLATER , NEAPO L. CXI'H MA. A.CON S.

BT SVPR E.M CAi\1PI MAR S CHAL C.

An.t .,,",, r E"J", c.,. ["wt3 .t

Image ofa Knight

Lelio Brancaccio, Military Commander, author and Knight of St John. Engraving by Nicola Lauwers after Van Dyck, from the Icones Principum Virorum (Antwerp 1634/6).

WHAT DO the following people have in common?

Portrait prints and Fair. Included will be the work of such engravers as Lauwers, de Grado , Larmessin Thomassin Clouwet , Galle , Moncornet and Rossi , after work by such artists as Van Dyck Caravaggio , Matti Preti , Pierre Mignard Antoine de Favray Jean Raoux and Pinturicchio. As well as the famous names above the portraits include those of the Honore d'Drfe (author), Lope de Vega (dramatist), Alessandro Verri (writer) , Nicolo Isouard (compos er), Caravaggio, Mattia Preti (artists), Jorge Juan (scientist) , Deodat de Dolomieu (geologist, after whom the Dolomites are named), Don John of Austria , and Flavio Chigi (cardinal and connoisseur).

drawings of the Knights of St John

They were all members of the Order of St John, the famous military religious Order founded in the Holy Land to care for the sick during the Crusades. The museum of the Order of St John , the most comprehensive collection of artefacts relating to the Order of St John outside Malta , will show items from the collections of portrait prints and drawings, illustrating the many aspects of the Order's varied history and its diverse membership over the centuries.

Based on a hospice in Jerusalem, the Knights of St John were f0unded to care for the sick and defend Christians in the Holy Land. Over the centuries, after the loss of the Holy Land by the Christian kingdoms in the late 13th century the Knights, as an international military religious Order, the Knights Hospitaller, made their headquarters in Rhodes and then Malta. After their expulsion from Malta in 1798 by Napoleon, the Knights, as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, made their base in Rome, from where they still operate. After the dissolution of the Order in England by King · Henry VIII, a revived British Order of St John was given a charter by Queen Victoria in 1888 in recognition of its pioneering work in establishing St John Ambulance and the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.

IMAGE OF A KNIGHT will display engravings , etchings mezzotints , aquatints, lithographs, drawings, watercolours and miniatures, in books, albums and sets, ranging from the illustrations contained in 16th-century statutes issued by the Order, to Vanity 246

Grand Masters and dignitaries of the Order from the late 11th century and members of the Most Venerable Order of St John.

Accompanying the exhibition will be a comprehensive illustrated catalogue of the Museum's complete collection of portrait prints and drawings of the Knights of St John. It will be available from the museum from mid-October (price £7 95 plus postage ), and on sale at the exhibition.

Appropriately , IMAGE OF A KNIGHT will be held in the historic headquarters of the Order of St John , St John ' s Gate , built in the early 16th century and originally the southern entrance to the English Priory of the Order established in Clerk en well in the 1140s.

The exhibition will be open to the public from Monday October 24 to Friday, December 16, 10 am to 4 pm Mondays to Saturdays.

CLOSED SUNDAYS. There is no admission charge , but a donation towards the work of the Order of St John is requested

St John's Gate and the other remaining buildings of the Priorythe Grand Priory Church and the 12th-century crypt - are open throughout the year on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Guided tours of the buildings are at 11 am and 2.30 pm on these days. Large parties are asked to book in advance.

For further information and press photographs please contact: Pamela Willis, Julia Toffolo or Sarah Bond , at the Museum of the Order of St John, St John ' s Gate, St John's Lane, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4DA. Telephone 01-2536644.

AFTER SPENDING six SJA holidays for the disabled at Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest we decided the time had come for a chang e of sc e ne as we had e xh a usted local places to visit. Imm e diately af ter last year s holiday we made a sortie to th e I sle of Wight , to Puckpool Holida y Villag e, ne ar Ryde , and decided the camp would be suitable for our next holida y It had ho st ed the Disabl e d Olympics and offe r e d good sporting faciliti e s , including a ve ry large heated outdoor swimming poo l. The onl y reservation we had wa s th e size o f ch a lets and the width of the ir doorways for wheelchairs How ever , we d e cided our help e rs would be up to th e ch all eng e And of course the y were

This year 's holida y, at about £160 pe r person , was the mo s t expen siv e yet. E ve ryone was ask e d to pa y £40 , th e rest of the money being raised from sponsorship , a very succe ssful te nni s tournam e nt , raffle and coffe e mornings and grant s fr om various funds. For 80 people we needed to raise £12 000 and thankfull y, we were succe ssful in doing so in time

Planning for such a holida y starts in January and this year a Berkshire officer , Douglas Cox , took over the paperwork , which was a great help , as forms and yet more forms and receipts are sent out. Finally in July , the final letters and travel arrangement s go out and then it s all go for the day of departure.

Ferry Trip

Travelling to the Isle of Wight meant a ferry trip , which on a lovely sunn y afternoon was a good way to start the holiday. impressions of the camp were good , With lovely lawns and flower beds leading down to the sea front and beach It was a great relief to have arrived

Some helpers became furniture removers to improve space for manoeuvring wheelchairs in the chalets and this difficulty caused some problems during the week. Into the dining-room for supper and a lovely surprise to know that all meals were served by waiters and we didn ' t have to help with the washing up! The food throughout the week was good and plentiful, and between the meals the coffee shop produced tempting snacks for the peckish.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Going on Holiday

Ever y evening the camp e ntertainments team produced some excellent shows and carbaret , and the gang danced into the e arly hours to the resident band and disco.

At th e presentation ceremon y at the end of the we ek the St John team won most of the medals presented f or competitions which were held each evening , and Adrian Edwards was pronounced ' Man of the Week for his rendering of Cliff Richards songs Adrian has been with us for all seven holidays and we had no idea he was so talented!

We were ver y luck y with the weather and were able to explore quite a lot of the island. Osborne House, Queen VictOIia s summer home , was very popular , and we also went to Robin Hill Country Park , Brading Waxwork Museum , Alum Bay , shopping trips to Ryde and Newport and to the local funfair and sports centre The camp provided facilities for archer y, rifle shooting scuba diving horse riding , rounders , football , table tennis , six pool tables and an indoor gym - so there wa s plenty for everyone to do at all tim e s. There was a keep-fit session every morning , which I must say I now miss These holiday s are for everyone much more than just a holiday '. For the ablebodied it is often hard physical workpushing wheelchairs and loading and unloading reveals muscles you never

knew you had. For the disabled it is often a rare opportunity to spend a we ek with friends of their own age , doing normal ' energetic activities which it would be impossible for them to do at home , and which are made possible because of the many strong helping hands. For ali , it is an opportunity to renew old friendships , to make new ones , and most o f all to have fun. It really is true in this life that the more you put in the more you get out of it. For me it is the most rewarding week of the year, and worth every moment that is spent planning and fund raising Newcomers are instantly welcomed and feel at home straight away.

This year we welcomed new friends from St John and a group of disabled from Havant. We all missed Tom Yendell , who has no arms , and who has attended all previous holidays He was on his honeymoon this year, so we all send love and congratulations to Tom and Lucy. We were very pleased to welcome Deborah Newlands , an RGN from Buckinghamshire who with Valerie Wilding took care of nursing. We would love to hear from anyone in St John in the 16-25 age range who would like to join us next year. Information on next year s holiday from Glenys Duke , St John House , Worth y Lan e , Winchester S023 7 AB.

Engraving by Domenico Zenoi, 1567. Annotated by King Louis Philippe of France, who once owned the print. (His collector's mark can be seen stamped bottom centre.)

orld of St John The World of St John

The World of St J

Howard's Way

Followers of the BBC TV series Howard 's Way may be interested to know that Guernsey's St John Ambulance & Rescue Service was involved in the making of the final episode of the current series.

The programme's storyline includes participation in powerboat racing, and the Howard's Way film crew spent some time in Guernsey during the World Offshore Powerboat Championships in September. Before they arrived , they asked the professional St John Ambulance & Rescue Service, who were providing safety cover for the championships with the ambulance/ rescue launch Flying Christine II and a road ambulance, if they could help with the series' final scene.

Looking Ahead

Nov 5: Aeromedical Conference, Basingstoke.

Nov 8-11: Overseas Regional Conference, Zimbabwe.

Nov 11-13: County Staff Officers Course , Cadet and Training.

Nov 16: Association

Nov 25-27: Div Staff Officers Course.

Nov 30: Grand Prior's Finals, Buxton.

Staff Officer Neil Tucker explained that the request came at a very busy time , for the Service was heavily committed providing coverage for the 150 powerboats, with support crews, who converged on the island for the championships. And on the morning of the filming, the Flying Christine II was at sea and a road ambulance on standby at the harbour providing safety cover for the Battle of Britain air display where teams such as the Red Arrows were '"going through their paces

Nevertheless, the Service supplied crews for the launch and an ambulance for the filming, which took the director and his

Leo

crew a couple of hours to complete. The Ambulance & Rescue Service staff reported that the film crew and the performers who play characters such as Ken, Leo and Abby were extremely friendly and co-opera ti ve.

So if this is the final episode of the series, how does it all end? Neil Tucker says he doesn 't want to spoil your enjoyment. You'll have to watch episode 13 to find out!

SJA video

As part of his degree Andrew Hopkins , a creative arts student at Trent Polytechnic, has produced a recruitment video aimed at attracting young people to St John Ambulance.

The video, concentrating on the work of St John in Nottinghamshire, is being shown in schools and colleges thro ughout the county. It has been very favourably received by teachers and pupils.

The photograph (below) shows Andrew handing over the first copy of the video to Notts deputy county commissioner, Miss Frances Smyth, watched by Peter Teather, an auxiliary member attached to county staff who helped with the filming.

1000th Badger Set

I'm sure everyone will be delighted to learn that very soon SJA will be registering its 1000th Badger Set.

To mark this important occasion the 1000th Set will be given a selection of prizes, a special treat , extensive publicity and a wonderful surprise. It is also anticipated that the launching of the Set will take place at a very unusual venue!

Head Girl

Mrs Christine M. Scarlott, the new County Commissioner of Suffolk , writes:

My association with St John Ambulance goes back to my childhood, although I was not a cadet. It was a very dear Aunt who took me along with her on many

The World of St John The World of St John

occasions to a variety of functions. It was not, however , until I was interested in pursuing a career in nursing and went ,along to my local unit to take a Home , Nursing course that my rea l involvement with St John Ambulance began, It was in 1952 that I joined St Albans Nursing Division, Leicester, and soon became an established member. It was in those early years that I first became interested in competitions, an interest which today I actively pursue either as an organiser or as a casualty.

Over the years I have worked in many capacities, secretary , treasurer, cadets, adventure training, adults, within either a Division , Area or County.

St John demands commitment but it also provides many opportunities. It is an organisation of which I am proud to be a member.

Battle of Britain medal

A Battle of Britain commemorative medal with the appropriate clasp (which includes St John Ambulance) is available to anyone who served in World War II (or dependants of those who served) at a price of £22.50 each, clasp £25 each, from RAFAMACS Ltd , 9 The Hollies, Graiseley Row , Wolverhampton WV2 4HJ. (All profits go to registered charities.)

Book

Hippocrates, RN, memoirs of a Naval Flying Doctor

Dr Herbert Ellis , the author, is currently Commander SJA for Gloucestershire.

This is a fascinating personal and professional autobiography by Dr Ellis, who as a doctor served with the best aviators in the world - the Fleet Air Arm - from the late 1940s to 1959. After only four hours and fifty minutes of dual flying instruction , Dr Ellis went solo. In an era of incredible mechanical advances, he went on to contribute to changes vital to the physical and physiological survival of the jet pilots concerned: breathing apparatus, helmets clothing , life-saving equipment.

Telling many amusing anecdotes along the way, Dr Ellis describes the problems of operating jet aircraft from carriers at sea, and discusses the special studies he made of the tolerance of the body to acceleration and centrifugal force He reports on such matters as the physiology of vision , the problem of providing for urination in 'immersion suits' and how to contend with the vibration of ejector seats.

This is a story from a unique period in the history of aviation medicine, charting the little-known but essential work of a _ select band of medical airmen who shared

(Above) Manchester SJA presidents take their Public First Aid certificates.

(L to R) Mr R Bennett, vice-pres NW; Mrs I. Yearsley, pres NE; Mr N. K. Stotler county president; Mr p, Brawley vice-pres SW; Miss M. G. Owen Cty Sec Rt Rev , D. G Galliford pres NW; Dr T. K. J Leese, county commissioner

CADET IQUEEN'

(Right) A cadet was this year's Pudsey Carniva Queen, here with other members of Pudsey Quadrilateral Division

Northumbria: A presentation by the Commander, Dr L Constable (left) to Miss M. Jackson, aBE for 48 years of service to SJA with Mr R. L. Bellwood and Mr R Greene-Steele County Director.

Gloucs: At the summer evening party at Chipping Campden with the Normandy Band of the Royal Green Jackets, at which £1,500 was raised for SJ (L to R) Field-Marshal The Lord Bramall; Col. M. SU, V, Gibbs, Dr W H, B. Ellis, county commander; Major N. J. Warry, chairman appeals committee; and Mr H. W. G. Elwes deputy Lieutenant.

A SJA video is handed to Notts deputy county commissioner, Miss Frances Smyth. See story SJA VIDEO.

(Right) A smart turn-out of SJA Essex gals march through Colchester on the annual parade of the Army Tattoo held in the town.

and Abby, of Howard's Way TV series, take a break during filming with SJA Guernsey s launch, Flying Christine II, which still sports its official banner from powerboat racing (Photo: Neil Tucker ).

The World of St John The World of St John

World of St John

The World of St John

the dangerous and exciting world of the test pilot.

The book is available from: John Hammond, Secretary Medical Board, St John Ambulance HQ, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EF.

The price of the book is £11.95 (including p & p) and by buying it from the National Headquarters a contribution goes into the medical fund for SJA Medical Students.

Sedbergh

Sedbergh (Cumbria) Combined Division held a garden fete during the summer at the home of their president, Mrs Spencer, which raised £550, £200 of which was donated to the Cumbria Heart Attack appeal.

Funds are urgently needed by the Division for radio and other equipment for their Fells rescue activities.

Holiday helpers

Holiday Helpers is a scheme run by the Holiday Care Service, a registered charity providing free information and advice on holidays for people with special needs. The

At Sedbergh Division's garden

-a demonstration.

experience of the Holiday Care Service has shown that people who cannot go on holiday on their own often face considerable difficulty in finding suitable helpers if they want to take a holiday independentlyunless they have a willing friend or famil y. Holiday Helpers, 2 Old Bank Chambers , Station Road , Horley, Surrey RH6 9HW. Tel: 0293775137.

A few left Southport Centre has a few remaining first day covers from its centenary in 1987 which feature a full set of the Brigade centenary stamps. Price is £2.50 each from the treasurer, Mr G. T. Lang, 5 Hartley Crescent, Southport, Merseyside PR8 4SG. Cheques payable to St John Ambulance, Southport, please.

Dancing

A very successful Barn Dance and {Left} The Chief President, Mrs H Phillips (centre), with Isle of Wight members gets a lesson on map reading from Ian Lennie, Sergeant Major of Cowes Combined Cadet Force. (Photo: Isle of Wight County Press).

Barbecue was held during July at Nelson , Mid Glamorgan. Organised by Mrs Kate Thomas JP , former High Sheriff , the evening raised £2,300 for the St John Council Centenary Appeal.

St John Supplies UPDATE

The disruption to the postal service caused serious difficulties for us. Although we quickly switched carriers and were able to make deliveries as usual , many of your orders were already three weeks old when they reached us. Our latest catalogues were also delayed reaching you but will have arrived by now. You can imagine the deluge of orders as soon as postal deliveries returned , and to ensure all orders reached you as soon as possible they were despatched well within our delivery promise. In the event of any difficulties in the future , please remember that we are able to get your orders to you as speedily as usual. Fortun a tely we have the flexibility

Fenland Badgers enjoying last year s Christmas party. There'll probably be a thousand such Badger part es (see earlier story) this Christmas.

to adapt quickly to a changing situatioJl. Difficulties occur only if your orders do not reach us or if parcels are already in transit. It is easy to telephone your order and we accept orders from account holders 24 hours a day on 01-251-2484. An easy alternative is to Fax your orders to us.

Even if you don t have ready access to a Fax machine , there are many places in each town who will send a Fax for you. This inexpensive service is often available at instant print shops , secretarial service bureaux, hotels , etc.

You need only complete your St John Supplies order form in the normal way and hand it in to be sent by Fax to our Fax machine on 01-253-8826. You can be confident that your order will be with us on the same day , and the service is available 24 hours a day.

It is unlikely that we will have stocks of the book Emergency Aid in Schools until early November. A new edition has been prepared and extensive changes have taken place to bring the book completely up to date. The new edition will be available as Product R20000 at £2.50.

The ambulance collecting box is now available. Although counties have received free supplies for distribution , there will be a demand for extras and replacements Normally the boxes will be £4.95 (S03125) , but we re offering a special deal on the remaining stock from the bulk production run and these will be £3.95 each , and if 50 or more are purchased , only £3.00 . This special offer is available while stocks last. Reseal Labels (S02950) are available at 7p each The latest mailing includes a wide range of special offers on Laerdal equipment , which apply until the end of the year. So now is the time to take advantage of the offers on this superb range of equipment.

We shall be closed for Christmas and stocktaking from noon on December 23 until January 9 1989 and shall clear all orders received by that date So order your books for January courses during December. (Don t forget to order First A id Questions and Answ ers (R00014) for students on first aid courses. There's up to £1.43 for your funds on every book sold).

The Cadet Challenge Folder is now available It has been designed for Divisional leaders to put in publications which they require, including special training notes and programmes. Designed by the Cadet Department to keep everything in one place, it is available as K15005 at £4.95

By popular request pads of Unconsciousness Observation Charts are now available. Ideal for keeping a record of observations of unconscious patients, they fit easily in the pocket. They re in pads of 20 for only 40p (Order P00910).

Fifty Badgers formed the guard of honour at the Braunton, near Ilfracombe N Devon w. wedding of Badger Leaders Audra Williams and Robin Mitchell.

Scouts and SJA members shared the role of guard of honour at the Sprowston Norwich , wedding of D/O Amanda Harrold and D/Sgt and Scouter Rex Hunt.

Cadets formed the guard of honour at the Rye Sussex wedding of N M Paula Sams and AIM Paul Everest Three bridesmaids and her mother are members as were many others at the service.

(Left)

fete

Kent's Swanscombe and Greenhithe Quadrilateral Division received their Golden Jubilee certificate this year.

The game that is making Ilearning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review's Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, ...:.. "' Chorley, Lanes PR7 6AP.

E J N F P T I D M Q A K B 0 C G L S R H

SJA BLOCK BUSTER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland. and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs. Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire. have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn. Curriculum Development Centre. Preston New Road, Blackburn. Lancs.

How to play (if you don't already know)

Two teams or opponents. The first chooses a letter in the grid and the question master asks them that question. If they answer correctly they have scored that square. The object is to take all the squares in a line vertically or horizontally in the grid - to be the winner of the game. An opponent tries of course to block any line, by taking a square in it, of the other team. In the unlikely event of a.U the lines being blocked, so that neither team can complete a line, the game IS all square.

St John Fellowship

THIS MONTH we welcome three more Fellowship branches spread across the world. They are, in order of formation : Western Suburbs Branch, Melbourne, Australia

GAME SIXTEEN

A. A localised collection of pus.

B. The central organ of the nervous system.

C. Minute blood vessels communicating between the arteries J. K. L. M. N. O. P.

Involuntary movement of muscle

The protein substance which forms hair and nails. The box-like voice organ.

A portion of brain continuous with the sp inal cord.

A nerve cell and its fibres. and veins.

D. The act of opening the b{)wels

E. Nose bleeding.

F. The slender outer and smaller of the two bones of the leg.

G. A group of cells which manufacture and discharge substance int{) the bloodstream.

H. High blood pressure.

I. Fractures where the broken bones are driven into each other

Q. R. S. T. A small bone in the middle ear.

A basin-shaped cavity forming the ring of the innominate bones, sacrum and coccyx

Anyone of four children born of one pregnancy.

A skin eruption.

A burn caused by hot fluids or vapour.

A clot of blood from within the heart vessels.

Answers on p.263

Contact: Mr Frank O Brien 17 Bishop Stree t , Wes t Footscray, Melbourne , Victoria 3012 , Australia.

Christchurch Branch, New Zealand

Contact: Mr K A. J Smith 203 Memorial Avenue , Christchurch , New Zealand.

South Cumbria Branch

Contact: Mrs Elizabeth Hackett, 31 Hartington Street Barrow-in-Furness

Our first two overseas branches were formed in Australia. It is good to know that interest continues to grow. I have received enquiries from New Zealand going back to 1984. They have gone into the matter very thoroughly and already have an impressively organised branch with 41 members ; they hope more will follow. Cumbria too has done a lot of spadework which has enabled them to start with 15-20 members. It is undoubtedly

wise to wait for positive enthusiasm before forming a branch. Also, ali three of these new branches are fortunate in having the active support of their St John Headquarters. We would like to greet members from each at the next AGM on May 311989.

(Left) CUMBRIA Tracey-Marie Dixon, of Maryport Combined Cadet Division, receives her Grand Prior certificate from Area Commissioner Mr J R. Fyan es. Tra cey is not only the youngest in the Area to receive the award, but she is also Mr Fyanes' granddaughter (Photo Cum brian Newspapers).

(Right) SUSSEX Hastings Cadets won first prize in their class in the carnival with this scene

(Left ) Sutton Badgers receive their certificates at the local SJA HQ.

HANTS: Lions' president Ron Stotter (right ), and Welfare Committee chairman, Frank Holmes , presented first aid kits to Fareham Cadet Divis on (Photo: Courtesy The News, Portsmouth).

The two Fellowship branches of Surrey met for the second year running for a tea-party at Chilworth Manor the home of Lady LionelHeald , retired county superintendent.

rock s to lifeboat.

RESCUE!

County PRO Pete Cotton did a grand job - two press photographers and an TV camerama n got a ll the faci ities they needed.

CADET by REX EXERCISE PURCHASE Life boat

Diagnostic and basic

THE WEYMOUTH Ambulance and Nursing Cadet Divisions recently combined forces in a joint first aid and rescue exercise with the Weymouth lifeboat and local coastguard. The exercise was the outcome of an infonnal chat between the lifeboat coxwain , Mr Derek Sargent Dr Peter Gibbins, divisional surgeon of the ambulance cadets , who is also the lifeboat medical officer, and the author.

Designed to

The scenario created by Dr Gibbins and myself was designed to exercise the diagnostic skills of the St John cadets and provide realistic first aid training for the crew particularly where basic life-support was required to be sustained for long periods of time at sea. It was assumed that no helicopter rescue services were available and no doctor was able to accompany the lifeboat to sea

The story to the scenario was that four cadets (two ambu lance and two nursing) with two of their officers - not in uniformwere out on a proficiency badge subject. They see five holiday-makers (grockles) in a small boat get into difficulties off a rocky area near Portland.

One of the group notifies the coastguard while the remainder provide assistance with only limited first aid materials One casualty (resusci-anne) is floating face down in the water several yards from shore which is only accessible by boat. (We assumed none of the team could swim!)

The other casualties manage to scramble ashore suffering from the following:

Casualty No.1

Diabetic. Confused/aggressive, progresses to hypoglycaemic coma before transfer to the lifeboat. No sweets available during the time when the casualty is conscious. Consciousness is not regained during the exercise.

Treatment: Recovery position when unconscious, monitor and record levels of response at regular intervals.

Casualty No.2

Fracture of right ankle, vomited

life-support practise

through swallowing sea water. Asphyxiates through choking on vomit (really vegetable soup).

Treatment: Airway cannot be cleared by back slapping, use abdominal thrust and casualty recovers Treat fracture of ankle, no splints available, casualty's legs are dangling over edge of rock close to water. Treat shock. Nil by mouth

Casualty No.3

Heart attack.

Treatment: Reassure , treat shock, semi-recumbent position , monitor variables.

Casualty No.4

Grazes to forehead with slight concussion, has not been unconscious. Open fracture of right forearm.

Treatment: Build up dressing , padding, arm sling. Check radial pulse and bleeding controlled. Nil by mouth.

Casualty No.5

Drowning

Treatment: Recover by lifeboat, respiratory arrest , followed by cardiac arrest when on lifeboat. Mouth to mouth initially followed by mouth to mouth and E.C.M. for remainder of time on lifeboat. Details of all casualties and progress/condition are to be passed to the medical authorities by radio link via the coastguards. All casualties were officers and members of the cadet divisions.

Transfer priorities and on-board treatment

No.5. Recover from water and continue mouth to mouthlE.C.M. as necessary.

No. 1. Diabetic. Stretcher. Maintain recovery pOSItIOn and clear airway. Observe and record condition.

No.4. Head injury/fractured arm. Assisted wa lking or sitting. Check bleeding controlled. Observe.

No.2. Fractured ankle. Stretcher. Observe.

No.3. Heart attack. Stretcher or sitting (semi-rec umbent). Observe. This cas u alty to be the fina l transfer to reduce unnecessary movement caused by the stationary Meboat.

Adequate treatment for shock should be continued throughout the exercise.

The exercise commenced at 19.05 on June 28 with a beautiful evening and a fiat calm over Weymouth bay and Portland harbour (thank goodness).

Within two minutes of the lifeboat arriving , a dinghy had been launched and resusci-anne had been rescued , mouth to mouth started and transfer back to the lifeboat completed.

D etails relayed

The St John team carried out their diagnosis and treatment, with details being relayed via the coastguard radio. All casualties were treated and ready for transfer to the lifeboat at 19.40

During this time two members of the lifeboat crew have been resuscitating Annie on board. The remainder of the crew then took over responsibility for the casualties , but requested the assistance of the St John team for transfer and monitoring of the casualties on board. (The St John team were delighted at the chance of a trip on the lifeboat and no one refused.)

Transfer from the rocks to the lifeboat was completed in about 15 minutes using lifeboat equipment

The journey to Weymouth commenced, and the casualties' conditions were monitored , recorded and changes radioed to the medical authorities ashore At one stage

Dr Gibbins radioed the local coastguard and asked for an update on the casualties condition , just to check if they were being recorded accurately. They were.

Within ten minutes we arrived back at Weymouth, the casualties transferred ashore and the exercise ended

The de-briefing took place at the lifeboat station and it was agreed that it was difficult to believe that this was the first time that St John , lifeboat and coastguards

had worked together. Everything went smoothly, with most of the priorities agreed and treatment , both on-shore and aboard, was of a very high standard and more than adequate to Preserve, Prevent and P romote . Some lessons were learnt in the way to deal with casualties on difficult terrain , and the need to monitor progress continuously when medical aid is far away , and with limited first aid equipment. The first aid administered by the lifeboat crew and the confident and competent way they transferred the casualties at sea were most impressive.

Our county PRO Pete Cotton , always out to get maximum publicity for us , did a grand job. The local BBC TV accompanied the lifeboat and filmed the whole event at sea , while the local lTV filmed the shore side The local radio (2CR ) attended and interviewed the cadets taking part and two local newspapers sent photographers and reporters. Pete is quite a ' dab-hand with a camera himself , and took quite a few pictures.

We all felt quite important and a great time was had by all particularly the additional de -briefing of adults later at the local pub

From the cadets ' point of view the most exciting part was a ride on the lifeboat which certainly showed its paces around Portland harbour and Weymouth bay Weymouth St John cadet divisions are very grateful to the lifeboat coxwain and crew , and the local Coastguard for giving us the valuable experience of a real world situation at sea. Also thanks to the Admiralty Research Establishment at Portland and the MoD police for allowing us access to the rocky area.

I would like to personally thank Dr Gibbins for all his assistance in helping me with the scenario.

2.

1.

4.

FOR WOUNDS AND BURNS

At the 1988 SJA Medical Confe'rence at Nottingham University in April, Mr P. Levick, Consultant in Plastic Surgery and Burns to the Birmingham Accident Hospital, spoke on First Aid Treatment of Wounds and Burns. His observations on the use of oling film aroused great interest.

So we asked Mr Levick to summarise his remarks and he wrote:

'At the Birmingham Accident Hospital we find simple domestic cling film to be an excellent non-stick occlusive dressing which relieves discomfort by including air. It also allows the wound to be inspected without removal of the dressing wfuich can, of course, start bleeding in the event of lint or gauze being applied. Should a wound require pressure this can be transmitted by gauze and bandaging over the cling film. The rolls of cling film from the supermarket shelf are sterile and do not require any specific preparation.

'Snappy or any other appropriate food bags are used routlllely III most burn centres as an occlusive dressing for burned hands. They allow greater mobility of the fingers facilitating early physiotherapy which is so important to prevent the swelling and stiffness and long-term loss of mobility.'

Headquarters

STUDENT NURSES

John Hammond Sec, SJA Medical Board

I write to complain about the lack of interest and recognition shown to student nurses who are members of the Brigade. The Brigade treats them as ordinary members, failing to recognise that a first year nurse has probably more experience than your unqualified Brigade nursing officer. Nurses today and espeCIally student nurses are no longer the handmaidens of doctors; they are highly trained and motivated people, who give up their spare time to be members of St John without recognition of their current training.

I feel that the Brigade should take steps to ensure that student nurses be treated in a more favourable manner, by firstly allowing them a specific badge of recognition and secondly by treating them as potential officers from the moment they join. Brigade , so that when they qualify they can make the transItIOn from member to officer smoothly and thus ensure that the Brigade continues to receive young blood in the form of newly-qualified nurses.

The Brigade must tap and exploit this supply of potential officers, because failure to do so will result in an even larger drop in the already falling membership of this once revered Brigade.

On a personal note , I would be glad if anyone with any points or ideas on this topic would get in touch with me with a view to actions.

Room 151, Nurses Home, Edgware General Hospital, Middlesex HAS OAD

CADET PROFICIENCY

Kinsella 1st year Student Nurse

Those who remember the Cadet Manual will have welcomed the latest revision of the Proficiency Scheme. The red Cadet Manual binder was used to house booklets on each proficiency subject which could be purchased individually and were revised when necessary - ideal for the guidance of instructors, examiners and cadets alike. Reasonably easy access to modem phOtOCOPYlllg facilities ensures that the new proficiency manual can be used in a similar way and is a vast improvement on the cards we have used for some 10 years.

My experience of the proficiency scheme is probably unique; as both cadet and divisional superintendent Gn the 'original' scheme, as a county cadet officer responsible for introducing the latest scheme in my county and now as divisional superintendent of a very active ambulance cadet division actually implementing the new scheme. The ideas in this letter about how to use the scheme may therefore be 1!lseful.

First, there is an assumption that the subject naliIle to appear on

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation.

Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor.

the proficiency certificate should be the Grand Prior category into which that subject falls. For example , a cadet who takes the cycling proficiency may receive a certificate Fitness'.. . Other proficiencies in this category include canoemg, horse ndlllg and life saving out of the total of 17 subjects available. Many cadets are likely to take more than one of these subjects and apart from the title Fitness' not being wholly apt there seems to be no reason why he or she should not have a certificate titled Cycling ', or ' Canoeing' or whatever. It would be sensible too to note on the BFC4 the name of the subject, perhaps in brackets after the category name , eg Cycling' would be entered as ' Fitness (Cycling)' under the 'Leisure' group

Hopefully more of the subjects in Fitness and Outdoor PurSUltS might be allowed to count for the Grand Prior s Badge in the future. Even so there will be seven compulsory certificates to obtain out of 13 , Essentials of First Aid having become effectivel y the thirteenth but unrecognised subject. The other six are Knowledge of the Order and one from each of the five groups. It would in any event seem sensible to give the cadet a more aptly worded certificate and to keep on his BFC4 a record of the subject actuall y completed.

Extra care needs to be taken in planning proficiencies. Although not more than three may be obtained in any of the five groups of five, the arithmetic also means that a minimum of three must be obtained in one of the groups. The restrictions on subject choice mean that in a year or two it may become difficult to plan proficiency work which will still count for the Grand Prior 's Badge for a majority of the division.

Not all old subjects were included , as promised, in the new scheme. One notable omission so far as this county is concerned is 'Orienteering'. This may , however, count as a 'Fitness topic. Bucks has produced a booklet which includes the syllabus and sufficient information to enable cadets to participate in what can be a very exciting proficiency. National HQ might also approve other topics which are of particular local interest and relevance.

The new scheme lends itself ideally to modular' training. It takes time to carry out the various sections of practical and written work We use a 'planning sheet ' to organise the timetable and a 'results sheet' which can be used to record each of the three areas to be tested as they are completed. These serve too as the county record, avoiding the need for any other paperwork Both sheets include full explanatory notes about the scheme on the reverse.

Those who have tried to get anything in writing out of an ambulance cadet will know the problem about the written aspect of the new proficiencies . I fully support this as I believe a needs to make a tangible effort for his proficiency. However, Lf he does then within reason I think he should obtain at least the pass mark on this aspect of the assessment. The quality of the written work should determine how much higher is the mark awarded. So far, our examiners have agreed to this.

Much of the work for 'outdoor' activities can be carried out at weekends and camps. We have produced a log book for cadets to record practical work for map reading, expeditions, camping, orienteering, rambling and radio communications. We also have a log for adults involved in these proficiencies to record training and experience for the Adventure Training Leader's Warrant.

The new proficiency scheme provides marvellous opportunitie s for cadets. This letter suggests ways to make the most of them

The scheme will be reviewed. You need to let Cadet Staff know your views , particularly about subject choice if it is to give us even greater opportunities in the future

I should be delighted to provide copies of any of the items mentioned in this letter in return for a contribution toward s the costs

54 Padstow Avenue, Fishermead, Milton Keynes MK6 2ES Alan Sharkey

Jim Bond, National Director, Cadet and Training, writes: I am grateful for the comments by Mr Sharkey and the constructive nature of them Readers may be aware that we have instituted a Cadet Programme Working Party which consists of representatives from the whole country. This working party meets in October 1988 and the matters raised in Mr Sharkey's letter will be considered by the working party.

NURSING

Come training at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth

(And other RN and RAF hospitals)

ON A VERY rainy Sunday in July , I left my home at Oldham to visit the RN Hospital , Stonehouse , Plymouth on a two week course , and I must admit to feeling rather apprehensive not knowing what to expeat.

On my first morning, after being introduced to Matron , I was taken on a tour of the hospital which although small admits civilian as well as service patients.

Men's Surgical Ward was told to attach myself to someone on this ward and follow them around. There were not many patients so the ward was quiet. But I did learn about setting up a drip, accompanied a patient to theatre , watched post-op care of a patient with stomach drainage, who was also on oxygen and an intravenous drip , which was set up and later changed. I took blood pressure of another patient just returned from theatre

On my second day I helped with bed-making and general ward duties and watched the cleaning and dressing of various wounds and suture removal. I also saw a stone after it had been passed by a patient!

Male Orthopaedics

My second ward - which I thoroughly enjoyed. Here I saw treatment for different injuries which I could encounter while on St John duties , which was very valuable.

There was a young man on a Stryker (revolving) bed who had broken his back. I was allowed to feel his spine in the injured area and saw X-rays of the damage The ward included a variety of patients, from back-ache to operations for bone rotation , severe breaks repaired by pins and plates , and an elderly man receiving a second hip replacement. I was allowed (under supervision) to remove a drainage tube from a young man s leg and saw the treatment of skin grafts. I learned to admit patients, take them to theatre and bring them back; and then helped with their post-op care and generally tried to help on the ward, chatting to patients When time allowed.

I moved on to the Accident and Emergency Dept for four very full days, which was most interesting. Here I saw various injuries, (continu ed overleaf)

CADETS

HYDE PARK S Great Party was a memorable occasion .. and a headache for the organisers. But it was certainly the highlight of centenary year. So when our vice-president, George Bowdidge , suggested we should put on a similar but more modest event I said Why not ?' So was born Newham Cadet Divisions Fete.

The Brigade has been here since 1895 and there are now six divisions (three adult three cadet) in the Borough centred at Beckton , East Ham and West Ham , who were all invited to join us

The fete took the best part of a year to put on , and it cost George in particular a great deal of blood , sweat and tears (that ' ll teach him) And we made mistakes We certainly could have taken mor e money although we netted £600 to share between three divisions. But we generated much goodwill and publicity for the Brigade. And we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Try it - we re booked for next year.

Derek

Badger Cla i re Buckmaster arrives with friend. (Below ) The Mayor and Mayoress meet the lads

' FETE (Or how to stop worrYIng)

Ian Buckmaster DIS

OVERSEAS NEWS

Solomon Islands

LAST JUNE the Brigade was heavily involved in the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of independence in the Solomon Islands. These coincided with a farewell ceremony for the outgoing Governor-General , Sir Baddeley Devesi , who was president of St John Council during his term of office. The first-aiders on duty were kept busy administering to the spectators, and to Scouts , Guides and even a US Marine bandsman who fainted on parade. It was a highly organised operation, which included the use of two-way radios in the ambulances, and fully occupied all the adult members and senior cadets for over a week.

One major incident which occurred during the week reflected great credit on the Brigade At a bus stop on a main road one of the banners advertising the celebrations wrapped itself round some high voltage wires and 'electrocuted' two people standing underneath. Members on the spot got both casualties to hospital in 'excellent condition', having done all that was necess-

NURSING: Come training at

The

ary under the circumstances. The casualty doctor at the hospital highly commended the Brigade members on their action.

British Columbia

Mrs Yvonne Coveney-Boyd has been appointed co-ordinator of Branch and Brigade operations for the Province of British Columbia in Canada.

Born and educated in Faversham , Kent, Mrs Coveney-Boyd emigrated to Canada and has been a member of SJ A for 22 years. Her last job was training manager of the Vancouver Branch.

Our picture (right) shows her at her investiture as a Dame of Grace by the

... (cont.)

broken limbs and different plaster casts, as well as overdosed patients, one of whom had to have a stomach washout. Other patients included wet and dry burns. Then one afternoon - with bells ringing - there was an emergency. A cardiovascular patient was successfully and later I accompanied him to the intensive care ward. WhIch was a little frightening, but I felt privileged to have been a part of it.

There were various head injury patients during my four days on the ward, one of whom was not helped by the large consumption of alcohol; there was an unconscious hypoglycaemic patient, and an American footballer, who had been in collision with another player, with suspected kidney damage. Another man , brought in by the police, was to be examined to see if he was 'fit to be imprisoned'. I saw the removal of a needle fr?m a child's a dislocated shoulder put back under anaesthetIc, several ECG s (electro-cardiograms) and sutures, and helped plaster cast a marine's leg

In the fracture clinic I saw X-rays of injuries before and after treatment, which was fascinating. I visited the dispensary, spent a further day on the orthopaedic ward and ended my two weeks with two days in theatre.

I learned pre-op procedures and watched spinal anaesthetics being given and followed the patients into theatre. On the first day I saw an operation for an intestinal blockage. The next ?ay I watched a hip replacement, which was very involved, WIth dnllmg, sawing, hammering and cementing, but totally absorbing!

I ended my stay at the RN Hospital with a visit to Matron, who asked if I had enjoyed my visit, to which I replied: 'Enormously!' The staff were very helpful and everyone - surgeons, doctors and nurses - answered questions and quite happily explained things to me.

FOR THE FREEZER

'PACK YOUR bags, you're going to Alaska, said the voice on the phone from Aeromedical HQ, interrupting my plans for the weekend.

My first reaction was 'pull the other leg! ', but such was the urgency that I was asked to be at the airport and ready for 'off in les s than an hour.

My patient was a director of a fishing concern in Alaska. While on business in Africa he had been involved in a serious road accident in which his chauffeur had been killed. He had sustained a badly fractured jaw, which was not wired but bound up with elastoplast, fractures of right arm and shoulder which were not set but plastered into an 'aeroplane splint' raised at an uncomfortable angle , and lacerations , mostly minor, to his face , body and legs which had not been dressed.

Unescorted

Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, with Mr Aubrey Creed KStJ (left) and ' Colonel John Cumberford KStJ , chairman of the Vancouver Branch.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Royal Naval Hospital Plymouth, and feel that the knowledge gained plus the c0n?dence it has given me, will be beneficial when I am on duty , especIally at sporting events and when out with the It enabled me to do things I had been taught but not expenenced, and I am sure that other hospitals offering the course will make our members feel just as welcome.

In this condition he had arrived at Gatwick Airport, unescorted, and made his way by taxi to Heathrow, intending to catch any plane to Alaska. By chance there was one due out within the hour

It was obvious that there had been very little time for an escort to be located, or for the staff of the Medical Centre to attend to him before take-off Fortunately the plane was not fully booked and three seats were made available fo r my patient to rest.

Ingenuity knew no bounds as I with help

A fishy aeromedical yarn

from the crew and at times suggestions from the passengers endeavoured to make him comfortable for the journey. Boxes and hand luggage were piled up and covered with blankets on which to rest his permanently raised arm, which seemed to get in the way of everything we tried to do. His frustration at being unable to speak, coupled with lack of sleep, was by this time having its effect. However , humour was restored after having a meal of baby food fed by the teaspoonful, and he managed to doze for the rest of the journey.

Operating theatre

On arrival at the hospital in Alaska , the orthopaedic surgeon expressed his feelings by looks rather than words, and indicated that the patient would be in the operating theatre within a few hours.

As there had been no time to make arrangements for my accommodation , I booked into the same hotel as the plane's crew. As this was Friday, there would not be a p lane due back until the Monday.

So the next day the crew hired a minibus , and invited me to join them for the day. We had a most enjoyable trip around Anchorage and its surroundings, which is a glorious kaleidoscope of fishing villages, glaciers, mountains and lakes.

As we were leaving early on Monday , I called at the hospital on the Sunday to enquire after my patient. He had appar-

ently spent several hours in the operating theatre and was now minus his arm splint , and his jaw had been set. He certainly looked more comfortable.

His family indicated that they would like to show their gratitude to me and waving aside all argument told me that they had already arranged for a small parcel to be picked up by me at the airport - but no parcel appeared by the time we left Anchorage so I assumed my protests on the subject had been effective.

Large carton

Having only hand luggage I was surprised to be 'page d when I reached Heathrow. I was told a package for me had been put on the plane at Anchorage. It was now with Customs. A very large cardboard carton was handed over and my mind ran riot on the way home as to what it contained. Opening the package at home , I was confronted with the largest salmon I had ever seen! Packed in ice in a special container, it was too big to go into my kitchen sink never mind my small freezer. I eventually managed to get the fish jointed and for weeks afterwards guests were treated to a really large salmon steak - straight from Alaska!

Brigade in the Solomon Islands parade, led by DIS H. Wickham (Below right) Mrs Yvonne Coven ey-Boyd of British Columbia

Mrs Rosemary Deloo ze, NIM Oldham Division

Miss M. F. Weller

SEVERAL MEMBERS from St John in Bedfordshire received invitations to attend last summer's Royal Garden Party. Here is a report from Dave Pearce, Divisional Superintendent, Kempston Quadrilateral (RE) Division.

I was delighted to receive my invitation to a Royal Garden Party which took place on July 6 as a token of thanks for my work in the community.

We woke to torrential rain on the day, but undaunted we left Bedfordshire at about 11.30 am. My wife Stephanie was wearing a black and white outfit which complemented my St John uniform. On arriving in London (in sunshine) we were shown to a priority car park in Constitution Hill, which meant only a short walk down to the Palace gates where our photographs were taken. When the gates opened and we walked through under the gaze of sightseers, we felt very proud. Through the Palace and out to the gardens at the rear, where we were invited to take refreshments which were available throughout the day.

The Yeomen of the Guard came into the garden after this to line everyone up in preparation to meet the Queen, Prince

Royal Garden Party

Philip and the Queen Mother. Stephanie and I were lucky enough to find ourselves at the front of one of the lines and after the Royal Family had been introduced to the dignitaries they separated and made their way down the lines.

Prince Philip approached me and spent some time talking about what my duties were with the St John Ambulance and was also very interested in my previous uniformed days in the Royal Navy. Not surprisingly he also showed great interest in my Duke of Edinburgh Award Badge which I was wearing.

After he moved on we broke ranks and

stood around im small groups and although the Queen passed some three feet away from our group, she was unable to speak to everyone as dignitaries and people who had done special things during the year had already been picked out to speak to her.

The QUeen Mother made a very short walk to the Royal Enclosure where she was later joined by The Queen and Prince Philip.

An equerry then invited us to walk freely around the Palace and gardens and we were also told that we could look at the Royal Family's private cars. It was also suggested that we go down to the lake and see the flamingos

Time passed very quickly and on leaving the Palace we discovered that the VIP treatment was to last to the end. On returning to our car and being faced with joining the London traffic , a friendly policeman came to our assistance by stopping the traffic in Constitution Hill and allowing us to reverse out unhindered.

We stopped for a meal on the way home and on arriving back found that my parents and some friends had arranged a party for us, complete with champagne.

Definitely a day that I will remember for the rest of my life.

SAVE THAT MAN a real life first aid situation

SITTING DOWN for a cup of coffee my bleeper suddenly activated. Trying to look calm I hurried to reception with a first aid kit A man on the phone to the Ambulance Service was explaining the accident he had just witnessed. The receptionist indicated to me and pointed to the road outside. I saw a van with its front end embedded in the factory perimeter wall with its hazard lights flashing. I heard the man on the phone say: 'He's gone blue and I think he's stopped breathing.' On approaching the van I saw a man leaning forward in the driver's seat, held by his seat belt. His chin rested on his chest and he did not respond when I opened the door and spoke to him. He was unconscious, there was no doubt, and not breathing and cyanosed, but his carotid pulse was bounding. I felt his cervical vertebrae for swelling or misalignment. Supporting his neck, I gently lifted his jaw to clear the airway. Suddenly he took a deep gasping breath and then settled into a rhythmic breathing pattern. Still supporting his neck and maintaining an open airway, I checked for other injuries, but none were evident. The colour of his face was slowly returning and his level of consciousness was improving. In the distance I heard the siren of an ambulance . It was some seven or eight minutes since the accident was reported. I handed over to the crew and then saw the casualty manage to walk to the ambulance.

I learned later that the man had been overcome by carbon monoxide gases from

262

a faulty exhaust connection in the engine compartment, the fumes entering the van via the heater. He had felt nausea and became unconscious as he approached the traffic lights, going through them on the red and to collide with the wall. His seat belt had completely cut off his air supply when he slumped forward chin on chest , and was already low on oxygen as a result of CO in the van.

Lessons learned :

1. Sometimes all it takes to save a life is to open the airway.

2. Carbon monoxide can occur while driving when exhaust systems are faulty

3. I smelled nothing but CO must have been present.

Barbara Forster , Leeds Centre Instructor

ON PARADE

The first annual inspection of Pre· scot and Ashtonin-Makerfield Badgers at St Helens and Knowsley HQ Merseyside.

Do you know your manual? (5) Answers

1. (a) Food handlers (b) First-aiders.

2 Carrying by hand.

SHIREEN

- the story

of a 7-year-old from Kharas

THE PICTURE is the market square in a village on the West Bank called Kharas. Donkeys brayed, cocks crowed and hens scattered as people clustered around the two white St John Ophthalmic Hospital vans which had just arr ived. The background is one of minarets spires and domed roofs which have changed little over the centuries in this small village south of Jerusalem.

In the crowd , a frightened 7-year-old girl clutched her doll and her mother S hand. She claimed that she could not see properly and was unable to avoid the sharp object which scratched her forehead that morning. At breakfast she had spilled her milk and soiled her dress She could hear her brothers and sisters but sbe could not see them preparing for school.

Little sympathy came her way. You are not trying! Try harder! Tell tbe doctor that you see his hand! You are just being a bit stubborn! said her mother. ' But I really can ' t see mummy , I can ' t ,' came the reply She was examined by the doctor who quickly turned to her mother to say: ' Your child was born with cataracts and she is in need of surgery '.

Later in the afternoon the white vans left and calm resumed in the market square.

But Shireen and her family were both

Block Buster (16) ANSWERS

hopeful and alarmed and somewhat ashamed of their past behaviour.

Shireen was admitted to the St John Ophthalmic Hospital four days later.

Surgery wa s performed on one eye. For two days Shireen lay in darkness and on the third day the doctor removed the bandage. Shireen could hardly believe what she saw. There was a doctor beside her bedhe was dressed in white. Her mother wore a brightly coloured dress Other women were there who wore white. Everybody was smiling.

Shireen s hands fascinated her , her feet too Sbe gazed around at tbe room and at the people in it. Later she touched things and named tbem. Walking and finding her way around became easy when ber second cataract was removed.

Six weeks later the white vans returned to the market square , greeted by the same noisy welcome of man, beast and fowl. But one element had changed. A little girl, neatly dressed , waved wildly and shouted greetings to her doctor friend. Then, smiling and laughing Shireen ran up the narrow winding path shouting to ber mother that the nurses who looked after ber in the hospital had come back to see ber in her own home.

Shireen was number 21 ,074 in the list of

patients seen in the Outreacb scheme. Sbe was aged seven at tbe time of surgery. No child under tbe age of 12 is charged eitber for surgery or for accommodation. Sbe is one of many whose sight has been restored thanks to the presence of The Order of St John in Jerusalem in the form of its Eye Hospital.

OBITUARY

Mrs Margaret Hemsley Handyside OBE , formerly County Superintendent , Nortbumbria. Officer of the Order. Wife of Dr W. B Handyside formerly County Surgeon, Northumbria Past National Cbairman , Royal British Legion Women s Section. Died September 13 1988 Memorial Service at St Peter 's Church , Sunderland , November 1.

ST JOHN REVIEW

St John Fellowship

The four Christian virtues: 4

Fortitude

THE FOURTH arm of the cross of St John as described to the cadets on their enrolment into the St John Ambulance is Fortitude - which is courage'

We all know that life can be hard , and it takes a lot of courage to keep going. No wonder fortitude is one of the great Christian virtues. We have to stick it out. Many years ago the Rev W. H. Lax was preaching his sermon in the Poplar Mission when a drunken man wandered in. He sat down very noisely, but then went quiet for a minute or two. Then suddenly, he shouted , 'Hey, Lax , how long have you been preaching?' Lax thought for a moment then said, 'About 38 years.' 'Well,' said the drunk , ' You must be near the end now, I'll just have to stick it out. Fortitude - which is courage.

Courage is one of the great qualities of the men and women of the Bible. They all seem to have a certain toughness about them. They knew that living up to their religious beliefs would bring some hard knocks. But they didn t complain. They knew that the world could be a very hard place for people with spiritual ideals. So they didn't whine when the world treated them badly. They took it as part of the day's work, and got on with it. They took it

as their motto : 'He that endureth to the end shall be saved.' They had to have lots of courage.

Paul got it right in writing to Timothy, 'E ndure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.' It was the same with Christ. He needed fortitude - which is courage. In the end he was abandoned even by his most enthusiastic supporters. 'Even the disciples forsook him and fled.' But he found the courage to go on through the agony of the Garden of Gethsemane, 'becoming obedient even unto death , yea even the death of the cross.'

As we get older we come to see that success in most things is a matter of hav ing the courage to stick it out. But , like the other Christian virtues, this is much easier said than done. Once again we need outside help. Weare so often tempted to run away from some of the demands of life.

50 YEARS

AVON: Mrs Emmie Meredith (centre), divisional president for Bristol South N/C division, received the jubilee vellum when the off cers and cadets celebrated their 50th anniversary (Photo: Myra Mered th).

REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 11 (88) by W. A. Potter

Across: 1. Large extinct animal, part mother part insect. (7). 5 Morbidly excessive hunger. (7). 9. Award finally for unhealthy structure due

How can we do it? The Epistle to the Hebrews says of Moses, ' he endured as seeing him who is invisible.' P a ul put it eve n better , 'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. That means that if we need to dig in our heels and face up to life bravely , there is help available.

To sum up these four articles: the four Christian virtues symbolised by the four arms of the cross are Prudence - which is common sense, Justice - which is fair play , Temperance - which is self control, and Fortitude - which is courage. These are the aims of those who serve in the Order of St John. We know they are not achieved in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us put our lives in the path of this power so that the four Christian virtues will be fulfilled in our lives.

Frank Thewlis (Rev) (Reproduced from The M ethodi st Record er, 1987).

to defective nutrition. (9). 10. Fine swindle. (5). 11. The sort of numbers which could make seven. (5). 12. Fire becomes 19 Down. (4).14. It's an unwanted task to (4). Fine calculi passed with urine (6). 18. Support for 111jured lower limb (3 -4) .20. Revised law for pointed tool. (3). 21. Water-brash or heart-burn. (7). 23. Change to name for folds of peritoneum (6). 26. Cold, clammy atmosphere (4). 27. Grab for dress (4). 28. Taken for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. (5). 30.. Tumour of muscle (5). 31. A bright idea for a cerebral convolutIon. (5-4). 32. Contamer, therefore, in an angle of the eye. (7).33. Boy in set fever. (7).

Down:

1. Achondroplasic. (6). 2. Physiotherapist uses arm strangely. (7). 3. Root is base for perfumery and medicinal powders. (5) 4. Overgrowth of tissue (11). 5. Horse howl. (3). 6. Anatomical member. (4).7. A meal is mixed to produce (?). 8. Not a diet to counteract poisoning. (8). 13 In high spmts after a leguminous meal. (4 2.5). 15. Maleria. (4). 17. Anatomical (4). 19. Widespread ill-feelings. (8).22. Disparage a person 111 poor health (3-4). 24. One tail forms epidermal appen?age of the foot. (3-4).25. Stop a cardiac emergency. (6) 28. Laxative pOd.s. (5) Precipitate a dermatological condition. (4). 31. Pubhc servIce vehicle. (3).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No.1 0 (88)

Across: 1. Butter fingers; 9. Amnesia; 10. A·bsc ess; 11. Tone; 12. St ye; 13. Spore; 15. Re·ached; 16. Patient; 18. O·cci·put; Perturb; 23. Theca; 25. Edam; 26. Heel; 28. Turn-out; 29. Tounst, 30. Convalescence.

Down: 1. Bonanza ; 2. Task; 3. Exalted; 4. Flare-up ; 5. Nisus; 6. Eye-sore; 7. Susceptibility; 8. Bacteriostatic; Chip; 17. Term; 19. Chevron; 20. The·atre; 21. Plastic; 22. Utenne; 24 Aroma; 27. Burn.

FACTS ABOUT ST JOHN

THE PR MESSAGE of the month takes the form of a brief summary of the work of St John so, when ta lking to the public or the media , you can be sure to have all the relevant facts to hand!

The St John Amb u lance Br iga de

The 'S t J ohn Ambulance Brigade is always there'. For over 100 years its members , on an entirely voluntary basis, have been administering First Aid and comforting others , devoting over four million hours each year, treating 800 casualties a day. The Brigade , which boasts 60,000 adult and Cadet members in the UK, is also involved in Community projects , working with the elderly and disabled.

The St John Ambulance A ssociat o n

The St John Ambulance Ass ociat ion issues nearly 200,000 certificates each year and is the leading organisation teaching members of the public and industry First Aid skills to deal with an emergency in the home, street or workplace. The Association is also responsible for the first national 'emergency aid' training scheme for schoolchildren - the very successful Three Cross Award.

The St John Youth Movements

St John has two thriving youth movements - the Bad gers, formed at the beginning of last year , now boasts 1,000 sets and a pproximately 20,000 members aged between 6 and 10 and the Cadets formed in 1922. St J ohn Cadets , aged between 10 and 16 , have fun taking part in a wide-ranging and challenging se lection of activities. As well as assisting adult Brigade members with First Aid duties, they also enjoy taking part in community programmes.

AA St John Alert

The St John Aeromedical Service was founded in 1924 to provide a worldwide repatriation service at minimal cost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Today the service is run in conjunction with the AA's medical assistance service and known as 'AA St John Alert' and volunteer St John Ambulance doctors and nurses accompany patients on their return home.

The St John Air Wing

The St John Air W ing, formed in 1972, has completed over one thousand life-saving missions transporting limited-life organs for transplant. Over 200 missions were completed in 1987 and the total distance flown is equivalent to almost 20 times round the world

The St John Ophthalmic Hospital

The St John O phthalmic Hospital in Je r u salem is the largest eye hospital in the Middle East treating 50,000 out-patients and carrying out 5,000 eye operations each year. There is an 'Outreach' programme which takes treatment and screening to those in iso l ated villages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The St John 'Primary Health Care ' Pro g r am me

The St John Prim a r y H ealth C ar e programme teaches basic care to people in the Third World. Some countries where St John operates are Zambia, Malawi, Fiji, Zimbabwe, Guyana and Barbados and subjects covered include Sanitation, Nutrition, Fami ly P lan n ing, and Eye Care.

TJOHN REVIEW

New Chief Commander In Jerusalem A History of Wound Care

MILLS,

Director ot Pub·lic Relations

MESSAGE OF THE MONTH

ST JOHN AMBULANCE Brigade members throughout the country are involved in a wide :range of 'care in the community' projects all the year round However, at this time of the year, working with other organisations concerned with the care of the aged, members pay particular attention to the needs of the elderly.

Brigade volunteers identify the special assistance required by the elderly in their locality, whether organising outings for Christmas shopping, offering nursing help o r s]mply companionship.

St John Ambulance has recently launched a course known as 'Homecare for the Elderly', which offers practical advice on safety, personal care and emergency aid to the elderly. A course that should be of great value to everyone in this field.

STOP PRESS

NEW CHIEF COMMANDER

WELCOME

Dr Herbert Ellis,

HRH THE DUKE of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the Order of St John, has approved the appointment of Dr Herbert Ellis AFC MD as Chief Commander of St John Ambulance with effect from early 1989.

Dr Ellis , who is currently Commander of St John Ambulance in Gloucestershire , succeeds Major-General P. R. Leuchars CBE who has held the post since 1980. Dr Ellis has had a distinguished career. He was a Surgeon-Commander in the Royal Navy who qualified to fly 55 different types of aircraft, with 2,000 flying hours to his credit. He was involved in research with the US Navy relating to the human factors in early orbital and manned spacecraft. He is the only naval doctor to have been awarded the Air Force Cross.

Dr Ellis has held a number of senior appointments in industry , including Marketing Director of the Appleyard Group and VicePresident of Schweppes (USA). He is the author of various papers concerning the human factor in industry , management and motivation and has recently written a book on his activities as a

Major-General Peter

naval flying doctor. During the 1970s he was Director-General of Dr Barnado 's and has been actively involved with St John Ambulance for the last 10 years.

Major-General Peter Leuchars, from whom Dr Ellis will take over next year came to St John after a particularly distinguished military career. Major-General Leuchars has seen St John Ambulance through a period of great change. He was Commissioner-in-Chief of St John Ambulance Brigade before becoming Chief Commander. He has travelled widely to visit St John units overseas , as well as keeping in close touch with St John activities at home

First aid classes continue at home for the Woods family, of Grays, Essex. And Mum (Lyn) who we re sure has more than enough to do around the house (she also helps with the Badgers, by the way), becomes the patient patient a ded by Dad (Alan), a fireman, for the r FIVE

Contents

New Chief Commander p.265

Running for SJA p.266

Malcolm Rutherford on p.267

In Jerusalem p.268

SJ Fellowship p.269

In Essex p.270

World of St John p 272

Block Buster (17)

FAREWELL

Leuchars, who has been Chief Commander since 1980 , retires in 1989

Running for SJA

In a Hot Seat

DEREK LAMBERT (right) has recently undertaken a marathon fund-raising event on behalf of St John Ambulance by taking part in one of the great running events in the world - the New York Marathon

Fifty-seven-year-old Derek, who is managing director of Thompson Machine Tools of Sheffield, has raised substantial sums for charity. He successfully completed the 1988 London Marathon, but says the New York event will be his last major fund-raising run.

He runs 60 miles a week in training, and hoped to complete the 26-mile NY run in a mere 3 hours and 15 minutes. He has been running for several years and has been thankful for the presence of St John Ambulance at sporting events. He was once 'rescued' by St John members after a cycle race accident.

At the time of going to press, he had raised well over £1,000 for SJ and hopes this will increase substantially and be a big boost for the Cleveland appeal fund.

The SJA Director-General, Robert Balchin , nobly vacated his National HQ office for a day recently when comedian Mel Smith came to Grosvenor Crescent for a day's location filming for a feature film Mel is directing 'The Camden Boy'. The havoc was all in a good cause - a cheque for the appeal fund and a redecorated D-G's office!

XMAS OUTING

NEXT MONTH the magazine will have a new look and even a new name. The St John Review becomes the Sc John World. Some peopJe won t like it. That is inevitable because most people are by nature conservatives They do not see the case for unnecessary change. Indeed a rather fashionable political saying at present is: If it ain broke , don t fix it. The problem is to spot when change is necessary and to introduce it in the right way.

That is very difficult , as we know from what used to be called Fleet Street. Readers of the Guardian will have seen that in the last year it has changed its look substantially It has all sorts of drawings and photographs at the top of its front page. The paper spent many months a nd no doubt quite a lot of money, devising it. Yet after a n initial burst of readers ' letters some for but mostly against , the Guardian is much the same as it was in content and people have learned to live with its appearance Indeed some people think of it still as the Manchester Guardian - a title that it gave up over 20 years ago perhaps wrongly.

At the Financial Times a few months ago we split the London edition into two sections - as the Frankfurt edition has always been. Because the vast majority of readers do not write letters to newspapers , and many of those who do are e ither distinctly eccentric or professional letter-writers and quite possibly both we do not know a great deal about readers' reactions. But I suspect that they were slightly sullen, One man sent two postcards, The first ended in mid-sentence. The second took up exactly where the first left off. The writer said that he was trying to demonstrate the illogicality of splitting the paper in two.

At the Economist they have not yet tackled the problem Anyone who reads it will notice that it is crammed with very expensive advertising , Yet the paper cannot be made any fatter because it would literally burst at the seams: the paper clips would not hold the pages together. So the Economist gets richer and richer while the number of articles seems to grow smaller. That cannot go on for ever.

Then there is poor Punch: poor because it no longer makes a profit, but also because it

seems to have lost its sense of humouT. It has had three editors in the last 12 months and had to look desperately for another. The reason why was that it cannot be fun to edit a magazine that is no longer funny.

In the rest of the national press the signs may be misleading, Superficially there is a boom , and it is certainly true that the new technology has made newspapers and magazines much cheaper to produce. Hence the new colour su pplements and new sections and the free magazines that come through your letter box : so much so that disposing of all the paper has become a major household problem, They take up too much room in the rubbish bin, and very few councils seem to have facilities where yo u can donate the waste to recycling.

All that happened , however , at the time of high economic growth when advertising revenues are plentiful. If the economy turns down , the newspaper and magazine industry will be among th e first to turn down with it. Some will say that that will be no bad thing: ,there is far too much to read already. And in way I agree though I also like the spirit of the trouper who keeps papers going - like a man called Fitzgerald who used to stand in for the Financial Times in Dublin. One night there was an Irish crisis and the regular correspondent could not be found. Try Fitzgerald the stringer, said the Night Editor , who was not terribly well up on Irish affairs. B y that time Dr Garrett Fitzgerald had become Foreign Minister. But he still had his old telephone number. He answered it himself , and wrote the story.

(our thoughts at Christmas)

by JOHN SIONS and HEIDI MINSHALL

PROs Hampto n Co urt and M o esey Division

HOSPITAL JERUSALEM

THIS CORNER STONE WAS LA.ID BY THE CHANCEL OF THE ORDER SIR HENRY POWNALL Kf.B. ElC. ;\Nll HOSPITALLER Of THE ORDER SIR om . ON 5 T H MARCH 1959. THIS HOSPIT.&.L IS BUILT IN THE SERV THE PEOPLE Of THE MIDDLE EAST BEEN PROVIDED BY DONATIONS THIS PURPOSE BY MEMBERS OF THE ORDEROf'

WHEN WE joined the Brigade in 1987 , we had little idea that less than a year later we would find ourselves in Jerusalem visiting the St John Ophthalmic Hospital. Later, having been made joint PROs of the division we began to look at ways to promote the Order of St John in our local area and realised that few people, if any, were aware of the existence of the Order 'S Hospital in Jerusalem With this in mind we decided to combine our planned holiday to Israel with a visit to the Hospital. We contacted the Hospitaller, Sir Stephen Miller at National HQ, and obtained permission for the trip , and his personal assistant made the necessary phone calls informing the Hospital of our arrival.

We arrived in Jerusalem on March IS and the next day we went to the Hospital to meet the matron , Miss Pauline O ' Donnell and to arrange a convenient time to visit. We also as ked for her advice on th e subject of cheap accommodation in the city ; the hostel sh e recommended was full but on the advice of the Tourist Office , we stayed at the Lutheran Hostel in the Old City As we settled in , we were surprised to discover that the building , Watson House had housed the Hospital from 1948 until it moved to its present site in the Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem. We loved the calm and beauty of th e cool rooms and walled gardens of the hostel and felt that the atmosphere must have been highly conducive to a complete recovery. A plaque In the reception area commemorates the work of the Hospital there.

Three wards

We returned to the Hospital a week later and Miss O'Donnell kindly showed us round, answering our questions and int:oducing us to members of staff. The HospItal comprises three wards (male, female and children) , two theatres and an out-patients department The three wards contain 85 beds but these are rarely all filled; when the Hospital was built in 1960, post operative recovery times were substantially longer than they are today. For example , then a cataract operation required a ten day stay; now a patient can be discharged after only 24 hours , if admission is required at all. There are also a small number of private beds. These might provide much needed extra revenue for the Hospital; however, most of the patients are not well off and the facility is under used.

After this introduction to the work of the Hospital we made arrangements to the next day in order to observe the mornlllg clinic in the out-patients department. When we arrived at 8.30 the next morning the department was already filling with patients. However, what looked full to us was apparently well below the usual levels The current unrest in the region has led to a decrease in the numbers of patients attending the clinic by about 30% compared with the first two months of 1987. Patients are

unable to travel to the Hospital due to the general strike, which has affected bus and taxi services, and to the curfews imposed in many areas. However , the number of patients seen by the Outreach team has risen proportion a tely.

On arrival patients first register at the desk and are then sent for an eye test and brief examination by an ophthalmic nurse. They then wait to be seen by one of the doctors in the examination cubicles. There is no formal appointments system and order in the waiting room is maintained only by the considerable efforts of the sister in charge. Having observed the registration and testing of some of the patients , we were invited by Dr Ziad Jaouni to sit in on his morning clinic, where we saw a full cross section of the department's work. The main problems encountered are glaucoma cataracts and vernal conjunctivitis; we also saw a small number of trauma cases with eye injuries sustained in the recent troubles.

Every sector

Ophthalmic disorders affect every sector of the community. A small girl , accompanied by her mother and grandmother was treated for vernal conjunctivitis A young man from Janin had lost an eye when soldiers opened fire with rubber bullets; he would return in two weeks to be fitted with an artificial shell. An old man barely able to see at all was brought in by a former ophthalmic nurse now living in the Hebron area. The problem was advanced cataracts on both eyes; there was extensive scarring on the left eye but Dr J aouni hoped to restore normal vision in the other with a simple operation.

The clinic saw 47,553 patients last year, of whom 5,000 were operated on. A further 15,000 patients were seen on the Outreach Programme This programme , established in 1982 , consists of mobile clinics set up by medical teams in the towns and villages of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to treat patients who are unable or unwilling to travel to the Hospital itself. Its aim is the control and prevention of eye disease and blindness and the teams try to achieve this by treating patients either at the mobile clinics or by referral at the Hospital and by educating villagers in aspects of primary ophthalmic health care. Many patients, for example, onJy use prescribed eye drops until the perceptible symptoms of the infection have disappeared, and they frequently fail to finish their full course of treatment. Others who may have been given drugs to reduce high blood pressure prior to an operation, do not take them resulting in a wasted journey to the Hospital

Another important aspect of the Hospital's work, perhaps less well known, is its commitment to training local nurses, who follow a course leading to a qualification recognised throughout the Middle East. The significance of this educational role in a developing region cannot be highly enough stressed. Through all these aspects of its

work, the Hospital has earned for itself a very high reputation and the goodwill of the local population.

However , the price for providing so valuable a service is not cheap. The cost of running the Hospital now stands at an annual £1.3 million. The total number of patients seen has increased by 25% since 1981, and advances in medical science require ever more sophisticated equipment. This equipment is not only expensive to purchase but also to maintain. The cost of living is generally high in Israel. When a simple hair-dryer was needed to dry certain delicate instruments, thereby reducing handling to a minimum and extending their life , it would have cost 100 NIS (over £30) in Israel.

In the end, purchased at Boots Chemist in England and brought back by a staff member visiting the UK, it cost only £10 Drugs and medical equipment are particularly expensive and Israeli law forbids the importation of any that can be produced locally, even if they have been donated. Those medicines and items of equipment which may be imported are subject to substantial taxes. For example, each bottle of the drops used to treat vernal conjunctivitis costs £25.

Who meets these costs? Until a few years ago all the patients were treated free of charge. Now the blind refugees from the camps , children under twelve and those

injured in the rioting are treated free. Everyone else pays 15% of the costs involved. They cannot afford to pay more. The average wage is £200 a month and most wage earners are supporting a large family. The political situation has further added to the general poverty. Basic medical insurance is available only to those living within the Green Line and cannot be obtained by the inhabitants of the Occupied Territories and the refugee camps Funding comes from donations from the Priories all over the world and, since 1978, from the surrounding Arab nations. There is, however , a constant struggle to make ends meet. An atmosphere of austerity is apparent to even the most casual observer.

At the most basic level, we noticed eye pads secured with Sellotape because surgical tape is too expensive. The Hospital is short of surgical gowns , bed linen plates and cutlery.

On the larger scale, the X-ray department remains closed and unused because there is no radiographer to staff it; the records office handles and stores files of over 100,000 patients without the aid of a computer.

Surgeons often have to wait for more than 20 minutes between ope rations for instruments to be sterilised so that they can be used again, and if a piece of equipment breaks down, the staff must manage without it until a technicia!l can come from Tel Aviv (at (continued on p.285)

St John Fellovvship

A CHRISTMAS message from MajorGeneral D. S. Gordon, Chairman, St John Fellowship:

At this time of family gatherings we can be thankful for the strength and unity of the St John Family reflected for us in the spread of Fellowship branches throughout the world.

On behalf of the Central Committee I send greetings and warmest good wishes for a joyful Christmas to our members in Africa,

Australia, Canada, the West Indies, New Zealand and here in the United Kingdom. And a Happy New Year to you all. We welcome another 'first' this month: the first branch in South Africa It is the 24th branch to be formed in 1988 and the 13th overseas.

Witwatersrand & Southern Transvaal Branch, South Africa

Contact: Miss Fran Brown , PO Box 744, Johannesburg 2000, Republic of South Africa

Leadership IN ESSEX

Training

EARLY IN the year a group of Essex ambulance and nursing members made their way to Shoeburyness , near Southend, with no idea of what lay in store for them other than it was a weekend of 'leadership training ' No programme had been published and only 18-25 year aIds were participating. Some, probably the less adventurous, had second thoughts and didn't turn up!

But those who faced the challenge found it to be a training weekend with a difference. There were no lectures. This was a whole weekend of experiencial learning. Activities included initiative tests, confidence building , syndicate studies , night exercises , obstacle courses with stretchers and even early morning PT!

The weekend was designed to give active young members an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their leadership potential. It certainly achieved its aim! It was not all hard work though. On the Saturday evening the social atmosphere at dinner provided a valuable interchange of ideas , particularly between young members and their area and county staffs.

The course was run by a cross-section of officers holding various appointments in Essex and assisted by Lady Westbury and Jim Bond from National HQ. Both the Commander and Commissioner for Essex made valuable contributions

At the end of the course a parade was held at which the inspection and salute was taken by the local military commander, Lt -Col P. M. T. Blessington. After the parade, he presented certificates to the participants, commenting: 'This is one parade I shall never forget!'

The weekend was over all too quickly, but much had been achieved. Plans are to repeat the course and to run a more advanced one next year. If you think you have got what it takes - apply to Essex HQ .

No idea

lNhat was in store for them

Confidence training and (below) those who were on the course and the organisers.

rid of ,St John l"he World of .St John The World of St Joh'

The World of St John

The World of St John

Thanks from Hospital

The response to the appeal for children's clothes for the Ophthalmic Hospital in the October R eview has been so great that Lady Miller, wife of the Hospitaller Sir Stephen Miller , writes to say that she would like to thank all who contributed so speedily. The response has been overwhelming and replenished Matron's stores, for which she is most grateful.

Further appeals will be made when the need arises again.

Looking Ahead

Dec 7: Annual Ball, (Fund-raising event).

Dec 9-11: Cadet Leader of the Year competition, Chingford.

Dec 23 to Jan 3 1989: HQ Chris tma slNew Year break.

Real Casualty

Mrs Ailsa Malcolm, wife of SJA Deputy Direetor-General , Mervyn Malcolm, met with an accident at Scarborough during the first aid competitions in October when she was bitten by a dog outside the Spa Grand Hall where the competitions were held. However with 75 first-aiders on hand, Mrs Malcolm received first-class treatment!

Power of the Press

After 49 years in the same headquarters Moreton (Wirral) Division has gone up in the world, I'm told.

For the last ten years the local council had plans to demolish their HQ, an old wooden hut, and rehouse them, but

EASY OLD FELLA!

nothing came of it. There was nowhere suitable, it seemed , to send them. At least , there wasn't until a reporter from the local paper went to a council meeting and wrote a stor y 'Medics to be Thrown Out' , which let everyone know that SJ A was to be made homeless to create a car park (Times change don t they?) There was an instant public outcry. And then as if by magic, two representatives of the Royal British Legion called on the Division and offered them free use of modern accommodation.

(Hooray for the Legionaires.)

Having redecorated the premises SJ A Moreton has now moved into their new HQ, which was officially opened during November by their oldest member, Andy Beed. Good Luck , Moreton!

Terry - you're wanted

Dr Terry Glanvill , East Devon 's Area Commissioner, who is a medical officer to the British International Rescue Corps received a call last week f rom a Britishbased international ambulance service asking him to fly to Chile at short notic e to bring back an injured Briton from Santiago , a hotbed of political unr est and martial law because of national elections.

Dr Glanvill cancelled all his appointments and left immediately for London and the 8,000 mile journey to Chile. He was to bring back Richard Bryce , 28, a teacher from the London area, who had tripped and fallen down some steps while being pursued by someone he thought was a mugger

He suffered a compression fracture of the cervical spine, a compound fracture of the radius and a lacerated scalp.

Because of the fractured spine he would have been paralysed had he moved and so his neck , chest and arms were in pla ster and he had to lie on a special airbed that kept him rigid.

During his mercy mission, Dr Glanvill had first hand experience of the tension and disquiet in the troubled South American state.

Political slogans and banners were everywhere, as were posters questioning the fate of th e 'Va nished Ones' , dissidents and enemies of the current regime who h ave simply disappeared.

Armed soldiers were policing the streets full of marchers and protesters.

On his return to England , Dr Glanvill left Mr Bryce in a London hospital where he was comfortable.

Mr Crossword

Mr W. A. Potter (we s till don't know his Christian name) oUT crossword compiler has been supplying the R ev iew with his puzzles for the last thirty years. That's half the time th e ma gazi ne ha s been in existence. It was founded in 1928. And as most of yo u probably know by now , it will be dramatically changing from January 1989a n ew nam e - St John World - design and use of full co lour.

Mr Potter produced his first R eview crossword in October 1958, at the reque st of the then Press and PR Officer to the Order , Ronald W . Fees.

We wish our compiler a happy further 30 yea rs.

Night walk

Cadets from Guildford (Surrey) Divisions made another night walk on Saturday October 22 , the second this ye ar. They left Cranleigh at 11 pm and walked to the Headquarters in Stocton Road, Guildford. A soup kitchen was prepared by Kevin Knight on Blackheath Common and a cooked breakfast was given to the cadets at Headquarters by Mrs Heather Pantlin . The walk was organised by two senior cadets, Steve Hoade and Scott Taylor who are

IN GERMANY

A familiar phone box in a Kiel (Coventry s twin city) hospital. Yes, it was supplied by SJA Coventry Area, with ASO Brian Timms arranging to get two of them from British Telecom. Here , a group of Coventry members are in Kiel for the official presentation of the phone boxes by Area Commissioner W i lfred Heath to the hospital's Casualty Dept

This eye-catching member (a

and

(Below) Highbridge (Somerset) nursing cadets won the junior section of the local raft race - look confident don't they? They are Clare Young, L z Peploe , Tracy Brown and Christine Thomas Need a crew?

(Left) Mrs Balchin (wife of the Director-General) is the new vice-president of Felbridge and East Grinstead Division Surrey. She is here present ng certificates to a very large public first aid course and enthusing them about joining the Division

(Below) Away from it all. Tom King MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, at Holnicote Races, near Minehead, earlier in the year

(Right)

model ) was designed

made of Lego by Elaine Jones, Wrexham, who hands it over to Roy Eaton, Commissioner for Clwyd North Wales, for display in Wrexham

The World of St John The World of St John

The changes will enable us to continue to provide a faster service for the increasing volumes of mail orders , yet continue to provide a range of products at the St John shop. For help on particular requirements , including advice on uniform matters, phone Salesline 01-2510004.

St John Supplies will be closed for Christmas stocktaking (and the preparation of the new shop) from December 23 unti l January 9 1989 and all orders received by December 23 wi11 be cleared by that date.

We wish all readers a very happy Christmas and successful New Year.

The St John Supplies showroom service at Priory House, St John ' s Gate will close

(Cornwall)

e World of St John

permanently on Thursday December 22 1988. The decision to close the showroom results from a review of the service by a major retail consultant and the need for additional space for the rapidly expanding mail order business. The change has been approved by the Council of The Order of St John.

A new St John shop , combining the Supplies and Museum shop , will open on Tuesday January 10 1989 on the ground floor at St John's Gate adjacent to the Museum. A range of non-uniform products from St John Supplies will be available together with the products sold in the Museum shop. A wide range of books will be available. Because of limited space it will not be possible to display or sell a number of products , including uniforms in the new shop. (Uniforms will continue to be available by mail order.) The shop will be able to accept payment by cheque or credi t card

Account holders visiting the shop will be able to select from the products in the shop , paying by cheque or credit card , or can select from the entire St John Supplies range from catalogues on display. Orders for these products can be left at the shop and will be despatched by mail order.

All account orders left at the shop by personal callers will receive free expressline service. Orders left before noon will be despatched by mail same day.

The World of St John T 'he World 'of St

ALL SJ WEDDING

The game that is making learning first aid FUN

If you have any queries or further thoughts on the Review s Block Buster, ring compiler Vic Helmore on 02572 64454 or write 114 Greenside, Euxton, .r t&:'_ Chorley Lanes PR7 6AP.

A J I M C P F R G T H K 0 B D U N S L E

SJA BLOCK BU STER

The popular lTV game has now been adapted by Vic Helmore, of Chorley (Lanes) for first aid questions. SJA London District, Northern Ireland, and some 200 schools in Lancashire as well as authorities in Staffs, Cheshire, Northumbria and Nottinghamshire, have so far applied for computer discs of this SJA game. We thank Central Independent TV for permission to use the name BLOCK BUSTER. Computer discs (480z) of the game are available from Dr Graham Dunn, Curriculum Development Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lanes.

These serve th re e purpo ses in life savin g, what a re th ey?

The heart does this on an avera ge of 60 to 90 tim es a mi nut e, what is it?

By applying ches t co mpre ssion we incr ease thi s

What is th e safe di stance to re main awa y from a cas u a lt y still in contact with high v@ltage ele ctricity

Burns can be cause d if this pa sses through th e bod y.

Contaminated food or incorrect cooking oft e n ca uses t his.

Layers of th is form a soft , pliable covering for large wo unds.

This condition is caused b y lo ss of salt and wa ter fr o m th e body.

The well tr ained first-a ider shou ld be a bl e to do this with anything that is available.

These are also known a s Portugu es e Man-o f- War

These are some time s damaged n crush injur ie s especi all y if trapped for over an hour

L. T h e thi gh bone k nee ca p , tibia a nd fibu la form this

M Th e heart muscl e is known as

N. Th ese a r e generally inj ec ted, b ut can be t aken v ia t he mouth o r inh ale d

O. Hea t ex h a ustio n or h ea t st r oke ca n be ca u sed by this.

P Tw e nt y of th ese a r e ge n t ly given to a n as ph yx iated ba b y per minut e.

R. U ncon sci o us people

g.

T D e ca y a nd irr ita tio n of the gums wi t h th robbing pain in the j aw mi ght be th e ca u se of t his.

U This h e rni a occurs in the nave l area.

Answers

SKEGNESS CAMP

A HISTORY OF WOUND CARE

by D. J. Leaper and S. Cameron

Advances in the understanding of the physiology of wound healing, particularly o ver the past 25 years, have led to exciting developments in wound care. The authors discuss the landmarks in the history of wound care and the contribution these have made to advances in surgery, the understanding of infection and its control

IN THE PAST 25 years there have been some exciting developments in wound care. Wound dressings are now being designed, not only to protect wounds , but also to produce an environment that provides optimal conditions for healing. Paradoxically , some of the time-honoured products that are available and still used today (with very little scientific evidence of their efficacy) are not dissimilar to dressings used in ancient recorded his tor?, to treat wounds. There is a fierce competItIOn developing amongst the advocates of the newer dressings resulting in a need for careful evaluation of their theoretical physiological advantages in wound healing processes.

Early wound care

The wound care practised by pr e historic man is largely conjectural , as no known records were made until about 2500 BC when the Sumerians of Mesopotamia developed a writing system which has been preserved on clay tablets. It is likely that their instinctive reactions to trauma were those shared by their forebears , such as the application of pressure to bleeding wound.s and possibly the licking of wounds clean , as animals do. The early Hammlds probably applied dressings such as leaves, mud or animal skin to wounds and used snow or ice to relieve pain.

In ancient civilisations

AnCient civilisations recorded that substances such as honey animal fat , butter , herbs and other plant ma t erials mixed into greasy concoctions were commonly applied to wounds. Other substances including animal dung , cobwebs, ground copper pigments and boiling oil have also been advocated. There is evidence that primitive tribes, such as the South American Indians developed and still use a method for closing incised wounds using the jaws ?f leaf-cutter ants, which act like the skm clips favoured by many surgeons.

The Greeks believed strongly in the healing powers of their gods and yet Hippocrates, the ' father of medicine' , was a?l.e to distinguish between the irrelevant rebglous ideas and practical successful procedures. He recommended very basic

D.1. Leaper, MD, ChM, FRCS, Consultant Senior Lecturer, and Sonia Cameron, RGN, Department of Surgery, Medical School Unit, Southmead Hospital, Bristol

This article is based on a talk given at the Blackburn and District Postgraduate Medical Association, and appeared in Update of June 1988.

In Egypt and India

Several Egyptian medical papyri record surgical treatment for abscesses, small tumours and other operations together with an insight into wound management. Contemporary surgery in India significantly advanced cosmetic surgery, as the punishment for adultery and other transgressions involved cutting off the nose; this enabled Indian healers to gain skill in remodelling and replacing this structure!

Introduction of anaesthesia

Fig.2 Trephined skull of the Neolithic period; this surgical procedure is thought to have been undertaken to release demon spirits, although it may have been a treatment for skull fractures. (Courtesy of the National Museum, Copenhagen.)

procedures for wound care , such as cleansing with boiled or filtered water and applying dressings of sponge or wool soaked in wine or vinegar. He clearly understood the concepts of delayed primary suture and healing by secondary intention.

Suppuration and healing

Some 500 years later , Claudius Galen greatly influenced wound care procedures with his theory that pus was bonum et laudabile ' He gained his experience in wound care by working as a surgeon to the gladiators in the Pergamon arena, and recognised that infected wounds often healed rapidly following the localisation and discharge of pus. Unfortunately, his observations were misinterpreted by many to mean that pus formation was necessary in all wounds before healing would occur; this led to all manner of substances being applied to wounds to encourage suppuration - a procedure that was advocated for many centuries.

Advances in surgery

Developments in surgery tended to be made hand-in-hand with an increased understanding of wound healing. One of the oldest forms of surgery was that of trephining the skull (Fig. 2) -a procedure thought to have been undertaken to release demon spirits from an afflicted person, although it is feasible that this may have been a treatment for skull fractures . Many skulls have been recovered from a wide area of Europe dating back to the Neolithic period, and with evidence of healing around such wounds; this indicates that some patients survived after this procedure presumably with the care of their attendant surgeon.

Landmarks in the history of wound care. There have been many other important contributors to the history and developments in the understa nd i ng of the hea ing process - this summary is desig ned to serve mere ly as a g u ide to eve nts.

Understanding infection

The benefits of allowing better and more complicated surgical procedures were overshadowed by the frequent devastating effects of infection , which often culminated in the patient's death. Only when the germ theory of infection was discovered and accepted could internal surgery be carried out safely. Unfortunately, the germ theory did not conform to the current medical wisdom' even into the 1850s and therefore was greatly resisted

Surgery made a great advance following the introduction of anaesthesia in the early and mid 19th century. This avoiderl the limitations of pain and movement during surgical procedures , and allowed surgeons more time, enabling them to operate beyond the surface areas of the body. Until this time , speed was considered to be an important factor for successful surgery. In 1698 Frere Jacques , a lithotomist from Paris , prided himself on the performance of 10 lithotomies in less than an hour.

William Cheselden was even faster , performing a single similar operation in less than 30 seconds!

Theory of infection

The beginning of an understanding of infection was first recorded in the 1st century BC by the Roman Varro, who speculated that infection was caused by 'tiny animals , invisible to the naked eye " yet carried in the air to enter the body through the nose or mouth. Pliny the Elder agreed with this idea, but it was not until 1546 that the first developed theory of infection was described by Girolamo Fracastoro who , in his work 'On Contagion' , described disease seeds ' that could be carried by the wind , touch , or contact with infected objects.

Continued on p.288

1

6.

4.

2.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

It was rather sad to see National HQ come under attack in the September Review , suggesting that all our problems are made at Grosvenor Crescent. I am wondering where these correspondents have hidden since centenary year.

It is time we stopped a slanging match with those at the top of our organisation and recognised that the staff at Grosvenor Crescent and county commissioners have some expertise in taking St John into the next century

St John was going down rapidly , something had to be done , and whatever measures are taken must be experimentaL Some we win, some we don t.

Surely if you read the Review, press cuttings, etc, no one can fault (other than the triumph of our centenary year. No other organisation in my lifetime (58) has had so much publicity as we did in 1987. Five hours of TV , numerous small slots, nearly every publication carried somethjng about us , and we had the front cover plus in the American Express magazine The Party in the Park was better than everyone's expectations. Over the years we have got used to our efforts at publicity and fund-raising falling short, and never in our wildest dreams expected to see such an event,

The Guide Association only got its centenary in the headlines because half a parade fainted, which was not in the best interests of that organisation. All ours was good pUblicity.

Headquarters has produced a draw in which th e proceeds are kept by the unit selling the tickets , with no risk at all. We can only gain by it. There is notillng half hearted in the last year about national fund -raising (ie , £70 ,000 from Blenheim Palace).

Who can say that our publicity material and approach have not improved out of all recognition (except for the late arrival of material for St John Week). And St John Weeks have been mapped out for a few years to come.

We have the Schools Project, Headquarters training courses (that are over-subscribed), and the Badger organisation, which has been of the greatest success. The Association and the Brigade seem to be getting together more , with the Director-General at many Brigade functions Headquarters officers and staff are getting out among the members more , and the members in the field do know the names of people at National HQ

Those of us who went to the Bath Conference in 1987 were impressed in the main with the keenness to get St John off the rocks.

Notillng is gained by retiring members bringing up the past other than perhaps in a few ' warnings from experience. We must stop using words such as bureaucracy when talking about those at National HQ .

We had the same sort of non -progressive approach years ago when the cadet people blamed the adults for losing all the young men and ladies; and the adults blamed the cadet people for hanging on to the teenagers and not promoting them to adults.

The correspondence continued in tills vein, conferences were dominated by this line of talk, until Col Goring, Assistant C-in-C, came into St John and upset everyone by telling them a few home truths, such as we were running two organisations adults and cadets, with no motivation to get along together.

We must avoid this approach again, with a them and us vendetta. And we in the field are not without blame

1 Do we put up all the posters we have been given over the last two years? (I would agree that some of the material before then was better filed in the bin.) It is all right now.

2. A lot of us do not read the Review, by its circulation. Whatever we think about it, it does contain information, and the editor can only print what he is given,

3, I know of staff officers who do not subscribe to the Review, and I will stick my neck out and say they should not be staff officers. The Review is our main avenue of communication to all ranks.

One of the best moves was made by Major-General Gordon (then C-in-C) who made all divisions subscribe to one copy of the Review with the cost coming out of divisional funds. One does see a copy on many divisional noticeboards now

4 Do all of us show county orders and circulars to members or do we simply 'file' them?

Letters Letters Letters

Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St John and its foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the Editor

5. We are a very busy organisation and it all gets more involved But do all officers stop and consider whether members are carrying out duties, weekend after weekend and if so how about a little encouragement occasionally to attend any area , county or national event, where they can meet others and so obtain a broader spectrum of St John. All work and no play makes Jack (or division) a dull boy

Betchworth , Surrey J. E. Smith , ASO

ELECTRICITY TARIFFS

Most divisional headquarters will be used only in the evening but their electricity will be metered on a standard day rate tariff. Most electricity boards now have an Evening and Weekend tariff , which provide s cheaper electricity during the hours of 7 pm to 8 am daily , and all day Saturday and Sunday. By having our metering altered by the Electricity Board (free of charge), Blackpool Divisions are saving around £150 a year compared with what they would have been paying on the old tariff.

The only drawb ack with the new tariff is that during the peak times of 8 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday any units consumed will cost more than normal. However , if your building is rarely used during these hours then considerable savings can be made, especially if the building is heated by Economy 7 night-storage heaters.

As an indication of the costs per unit , here are comparisons between NORWEBS Standard and Evening and Weekend tariffs: Standard G13 Tariff Standing Charge £9.30 First 1200 unit s/quarter 7.72p

Remaining units/quarter 5 .79p Evening and Weekend G,71 Tariff

Charge £11.70 All units 7 pm tillS am Mon-Fri, all day Sat and Sun 4 00p First 1200 units/quarter at other times 9.37p

Rem a ining unit s/q uarter 7.44p

Divisions contemplating changing their tariffs should contact their local Electricity Board and seek the advice of the Energy Marketing Engineers who will advise them free of charge if their tariff is the most s uitable , and arrange for the necessary changes to be made.

Blackpool Combined Div T. S. Bleasdale, Corporal

Director of Services, National HQ, writes: I am sure many divisions will be indebted to Mr Bleasdale for hi s observations. There are of course twelve boards whose tariffs all vary. I checked London's L.E.B. and found that the evening and weekend rate was lower than that quot ed for NORWEBS in his letter.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

How many times have we said this? Tills is what I asked myself when the Newark Divisions had a combined recruiting drive in the Town Hall, Newark, on Saturday September 10.

There was not a word of praise about the exhibition, which two of us had spent several hours preparing the previous day. Just the remarks: 'It should have been advertised. 'You should have sold tickets. People would have bought them, even if they didn't come along. That would have helped to cover expenses.'

Just or unjust criticism?

How can one honestly advertise a recruiting drive as a coffee morning to the public, when you know that the object is to recruit new members, not to sell coffee , cakes or raffle tickets for fundraising purposes?

I knew that we incur a loss, but would the results justify the expense? That IS something which time alone will tell.

On credit side we did get a number of people interested in attend 109 a firs t aId course in October. A correspondent for a free weekly paper very sympathetically to my appeal for new the Ambulance Division Hopefully this may stImulate mterest 111 the younger men of the town

What about the Brigade members?

One can on ly thank those who turned out early to help get the exhibits from Headquarters to the Town Hall on a busy market day, and to those who helped carry them a greater distance to waiting cars which could not enter the Market Place because of parking restrictions.

Thanks too to the cadets who carried out cardiac resuscitation demonstrations on Resusci-Anne by kneeling on a hard pavement· demonstrated bandaging outside the Town Hall; handed out leaflets and carried placards around the Market Place. posters from Brigade HQ , photographs of the DIVIS Ions III actIon , training on a FA W Course we were fortunate in having the loan of the National HQ video two others made in the county.

Thanks to CSO P. Hudson who brought the TV and video from C:0unty HQ ; and AIMs P. Jessop and P. Buttong who brought in a VIdeo and TV set.

Coffee was served by two retired officers , a retired member and the widow of an o ld ambulance member. This allowed the uniformed members to devote their time to those who showed interest in the first aid course or the Brigade the debit side we finished with a financial loss. To a point that IS cancelled out by the moral support we received from some members of the public, and if we successfully sowed the seeds of interest in St John then we probably struck a balance What are the lessons to be learned from our experience ? we advertised our recruiting campaign as an exhIbItion at whIch. coffee would be served , or had an ordinary coffee mornlOg whIch IOcluded an exhibition and the showing of the videos?

Maybe other Divisions can learn from our experiences I know what I learned.

Newark

Editor:

Thos H. Hollingworth Div Secretary/Treasurer

Other members ' views on this subject would be both interesting and useful. How do you plan your recruiting drive? And how is it financed?

INFORMATION NEEDED

I app.eal to fellow St John memb ers for help? I am trying to compIle a hIstory of the Southwark Division (founded 1896). If anyone has any mformatron on 24 Doultons Div, 24 Southwark Div, or 423 Southwark Div , could they please contact me at 1 Bertie Road , Sydenham , London SE26 5LW. If requested, any photographS , records , e tc , will be returned promptly. London SE26 0.1. Farrel!

For the third year running Wallasey's Poulton Primary School won the Association Trophy for the highest number of chi dren to qualify for the SJ Three Cross Award

MERSEVSIDE

Wirral Area camp near Frodshamcookhouse line-up

NEWS from SCOTLAND

A VERY special presentation was held at Risca Comprehensive School , Gwent , during September , when 253 first and second year pupils were awarded their One and Two Cross Award certificates and badges

The Risca pupils were presented wit h their certificates and badges b y six guests: Islwyn 's Mayor , Councillor Leon Gardiner ; Gwent' s Senior Education Adviser , Mr Michael Oxford; the Bailiff of St Davids 0f the Order of St John, Priory for Wales , Mr Donald McDougall; th e Director of Association for Wales, Dr George Mitchell; Chief Training Co-

NORTHERN IRELAND

Londond e rry Area awards presented by Her Grace the Du c hess of Abercorn who is a da ughte r of Mrs H. Phillips Brigad e Chief President. (L to R, front row Mr s J. Brown Ar ea Nursing Off ce r , 2nd bar; He Grace Th e Du c hess of Ab ercorn, Presid ent o f Newtownstewart AlN Division; Dr D. G. C. Whyte Area President; Dr G Stewart, Area Surgeon, 1st bar (Back row) Mr T A. Smallwoods Area Commissioner 4th bar Mrs

in photo : Mrs M. Dykes, Londonderry Waterside/Osborne Division, 2nd bar.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY Warmth in Winter campaign

In the magnificent ba nq ueting su te of Glasgow's City Ch ambers.

of t he Prior , the Viscount of Arbuthnott, and the Chancellor, The Very .Rev . Dr Duncan Shaw.

253 certificates were presented at Gwe nt's Ri sca Comprehensive School. Plenty of potential Brigade members here? Photo: South Wales Argus).

ordinator for Wales, Mr Keith Dunn; and the Editor of the South Wales Argus , Mr Steve Hoselitz.

After the pupils had received their awards, the Headmistress, Mrs Beryl Jenkins, received an inscribed Priory Vote of Thanks from Mr McDougall for the school's leading role in first aid and for training more than 500 pupi ls to date.

Welsh certificates From October the Priory for Wales has been offering One , Two and Three CrosS Award certificates in W e1sh.

OVERSEAS

In Jerusalem (cont. from p.269)

considerable expense) to repair it There is a need for a third operating theatre for infectious cases who m ust at present wait without food or drink until th e end of the d ay's schedule-an additiona l strain on those who are frequently th e weakest patients. When the mains power supply fails, there is no generator to take over.

A survey carried out by Dr Ian Thompson while working for the Outreach Programme in 1982/3 showed that the incidence of blindness was over eight times that in the UK or USA, and that 80% of this blindness was either curable or preventab le. The work of the Hospital must continue, and the Brigade needs to do more to h elp.

This h e lp wou ld consist of two main parts.

The first is pUblicity: awareness of the Hospital 's existe nce is low eve n among Brigade

Li fe down under at this time of year. Sun and sport and sport and sport which means p le nty of duties for fellow SJA members, like this one

members, let alone the general public It is, therefore , important when organising publicity at local level to stress that the Hospital is an integral part of the Order and to include information on its aims and work.

Sir Stephen Miller h as said that his staff will be happy to provide any PROs or other interested members with publicity aids, such as pamphlets slides and videos on request.

The second way in which members can h elp is , of course, through fund raising. We know that most divisions are financially stretched but even comparatively small sums donated by each division in the country would result in quite a considerable total

The Hospital h as set up an e ndowm ent sch e me in an atte mpt to secure its financial future ; to endow a bed costs £85,000. This sounds an unattainable figure, but let us look at it in a different way. There are over 3,000 divisions in England alone. If each were to

THE HEALTH Education Authority ha s agreed to fund the 'Warm th in Win t er leaflet again this year and Age Concern and Help the Aged who are involved in the project have asked for our cooperation.

Sadly the leaflet has not reached me in time for the publication of this article but I understand the items covered in the paper will give advice and information to vulnerab le people witb problems caused by cold weather.

This advice ranges from special pr eca utions to help to avoid HYPOTHERMIA , safety precautions in ICY SPELLS , advice on FUEL DEBTS to finding someone to do SHOPPING during exceptionally bad weather.

I know tbat many of yo u including our CADETS regularly help in this way but you may receive extra request s to assist during bad winter weather and I know that if it is po ss ible to do so you will respond

'In the Service of Mankind' Jeanne Mercer Chief Welfare Officer

contribu te only £25 to the Divisional Bed Fund , which has been set up to allow divisions to contribute, the bed could be endowed. Thus united , the financial muscle of the divisions is awesome. We suggest that divisions devote one fund-raising event each year to the Hospital , and we hope that this time next year there will be at least one bed in Jerusalem endowed by divisions.

Our warmest thanks go to Sir Stephen Miller and his personal assistant, Sy lvia Holmes , who made our visit possible. And to all the staff at the Hospital who found time in their busy schedules to welcome us and to answer OLlr questions, especially Miss Pauline O 'Donnell, Sister Jackie Die and Dr Ziad Jaouni.

National First Aid Competitions

British Telecom

British Rail and London Underground Ltd

At Weston-super-Mare, October 19

St John

A

HISTORY OF WOUND CARE

{Conti n ued f ro m p 279}

Some und e r standing t h at infection co uld b e transmitte d was demonstrated n the Middle Ages b y the s h Ulming of epers, t h e segr ega ti on of the severely ill a nd fleeing fro m ar eas of pl ag u e. It was no t u n il the d is covery of t he microscope a t the beginnin g of th e 17 th ce nt ury th at t here was p ro of of th e existen ce of micro-organisms, a nd t h e th e o ry of sp ontaneo u s ge n erat ion co uld b e discarde d

Control of infect i o n T h e hi sto r y of wo und ca r e reveals that a wi de va r ie t y of su b stances have been u sed t o co nt r ol infectio n whe th er intentio n a ll y o r o therw se. Hipp ocr ates u sed resi n s and b a lsam s as ant ise pti cs, t he Egyptians used co ppe r p igments, et h erea l oil s and various spi ces, an d from the Mid dl e Ages until the 19th century turpentine was recomm ended.

An cient Greek med icine suggested that wi n e an d vinegar soaks sh ould b e used for wo un d dr essin gs. Alcoho l was u se d to disinfe ct wound s i n the early 19th century, an d io d in e b ecame p opular after it s di scovery b y B ernar d Co urt ois, in 1811.

O t h e r a ntise p tics incl ud eQ ferrous

ch loride, zinc ch loride, nitric acid, creosote and brom ine.

During the 19th century continued improvement in microbiology and laboratory techniques led to the work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch, who proved the germ theory of disease. The findings of Pasteur were of great -interest to Joseph Lister, w h o app ied Pasteur 's ideas to design an antiseptic wound dressing and his carbolic spray, which he used during surgery to reduce infection rates. This was the sa m e antiseptic used by Ignaz Semmelweis some years before to prevent puerperal fever on the obstetric wards but sadly his discovery went unrecognised.

The research of Robert Koch showed t h at chemical antiseptic so lu ti ons were less effective than expected at preventing infection, and wound management turned from antisepsis to asepsis Lister's carbolic spray was abandoned in favour of rubber gloves face masks and heat treatments to sterilise dressings and surgical instruments.

Use of anti se ptics

T h e a n tiseptic princi pl e continues to be firmly esta bli shed in surgical and nursing pra ctice for managing infected or open

granulating wounds, yet there is no antiseptic t h at can be used without toxicity that has prolonged efficacy against all infective micro-organisms.

There is evidence that some antiseptic sol u tions used in wo u nd care may cause harm to healing tiss u e and this offsets any antiseptic effect they may have on bacteria l growth. Alexander Fleming advocated that antiseptics shou ld enhance or conserve natura l defence mechanisms to infection, although he did not measure antiseptic toxicity.

Natural defe nce mechanisms

Much interest now lies in aiding these natural defence systems, particularly as scientists develop a greater understanding of the processes that take place in the healing wound. In the early part of the 19th century , Julius Cohnheim showed that white cells migrated through the walls of capillaries in inflamed tissue and began the fight against infection This work was supported by Elie Metchnikoff, who defined the macrophage the polymorpho-nuclear leukocyte and the process of phagocytosis , and emphasised their importance as being the main defence of the body.

Modern research into wound management is being directed at stimulating the complex cellular and humoral n at ural defence mechanisms rather than encouraging the increasing, widespread and dangerous use of antibiotics.

19. 13 Across characteristic of measles (7). 21. Indication of injury or disease experienced by patient. (7). 23. Practice colleague. (7). 25. Anatomical vessels as in Virginia (4). 26. Short , sharp inspiration in gas poisoning. (4). 27. Part of body having abnormal roots (5). 30. Parasite infesting skin and hair (5). 31. Knots of capillaries forming filtration units of kidney nephrons. (9). 32. Uncomfortab e and sick b ecause not at attention? (3-2-4). 33. Unusual shade for underworld abode of departed spirits. (5).

Down :

1. Overgrowth of horny layer of the skin. (9). 2 How a decimal may come back to mind? (5) 3. Slightly inebriated (5). 4. Crossing of fibres of optic nerves at the base of the brain. (7). 5. Physical activity forming basis for mentally-orientated exercise. (7). 6. Hindu system of physical and mental exercises promoting well-being. (4). 7.

Application of ointment to the skin. (9). 8. Machine for efferent nerves (5). 12. A pair of entertainers. (3). 15 Urge on bony outgrowth of calcaneum. (4) 17. Anaesthetise cranium for a stupid person. (9). 18. Vote to reject resolution (4). 20. Long muscle of thigh. (9). 22 Muscle pain. (7) 23. Product of partial digestion of protein by the gastric juice. (7). 24. Number of phalanges in great toe or thumb. (3). 25. Absorbing structures of small intestine (5). 27. Most common prostheses. (5) 28. Consultant's review of his ward patients. (5).29. Material perceived by touch (4).

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD No. 11 (88')

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

S ing le co u mn ce ntim etre £9 .00 (m inim um £ 18. 00) ncluding VA T B ox number £3 .00 e.r;tra. Se nd copy to S h eila Me rrett, A dvertise m en t Man ager, 14 Box g rove Garden s, B ogn or R egis, Wes t S ussex P021 4BB. T elephon

Fo

(Dec) Ford Ha

RECONDITIONED AMBULANCES

REVIEW CROSSW ORD N o. 12 (88) by W. A Potter

Across :

Across: 1. Mam·moth; 5. Bulimia; 9 Dys·trophy; 10. Mulet; 11. Evens; 12. Rife; 14. Bind; 16. Gravel; 18. Leg-rest; 20. Awl; 2l. Pyrosis; 23. Omenta; 26. Dank; 27. Garb; 28. Smear; 30. Myoma; 3l. Brain-wave; 32 Can·thus; 33 S·carl et. 1. Stark chan ge in limesto n e featu r e. (5). 4. Eye"wash. (9) 9. R eviewing salie nt p oints - for insertio n of prosthetic pat ella? (9). 10. Thin and haggard in app eara nce. (5). 11. Late feature of plantar d ys trophy. (5) 13. R as h u ni t. (4). 14 Remin d er of a n o ld wo u n d (4). 16 Lubric ant- secre ting m e mbrane of joints a n d te nd on sheaths. (7). 288

Down: 1. Midget; :i. Masseur; 3 Orris; 4 Hyperplasia; 5. Bay; 6. Limb; 7. Malaise; 8. 13. Full of beans; 15. Ague; 17. Vasa; 19. Epidemic; 22 Run-down; 24. Toe-nail; 25. Arrest; 28. Senna; 29. Rash; 31. B u s.

THE ORDER FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

at the

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