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A charity fundraiser ebook, 'From Bagtown to Base' delves into the fascinating history of district health care of yesteryear and the personal recollections and anecdotes of the people of a country town who provided it.
The pioneering days, starting with a hessian 'hospital' before the ?rst hospital was built through to the establishment in 1969 of a base hospital in Griffith (NSW, Australia), saw a special breed of midwives, nurses and doctors who were responsible for providing health care without the benefits of bitumen roads, efficient communication, antibiotics, disposable supplies, advances in medical technology and so much more that we take for granted today.
Covering the whole spectrum of hospital activity, including auxiliary services, this 'unofficial history' has been put together by an elderly group of women whose friendships have endured many decades since working together at the hospital in various roles all those years ago.
While it is specifically focused on the Griffith area and its local people, the history is of interest to anyone anywhere in the world who, for personal interest or research, might like to delve into the yesteryear of health service delivery. For that reason, one section of the book keeps the specific Griffith focus, and another section provides an entertaining selection of stories with minimal local reference. A third section includes hundreds of digitally-improved images.
Their many memories are a delight to read. Some sad, some surprising, some entertaining, with many amusing anecdotes shared; one nurse almost got her marching orders for turning a blind eye to patients sneaking a cold beer into the hospital late one stiflingly hot New Year's Eve night.
Then there was the orderly whose method of disposing of small amounts of ether (a very ?ammable liquid) was to pour it into the toilet. One of the doctors, in the habit of lighting a cigarette and dropping the match into the bowl, experienced dramatic but fortunately non-serious consequences!
And can you imagine a doctor doing evening rounds in a modern hospital... accompanied by his dog? Or a patient whose condition improves dramatically after being accidentally dropped on the floor?
Enjoy these and many other yesteryear stories (and occasionally exploits!) told by those who lived them, as they give you an appreciation of what Australian country hospitals of that era were like - the challenges faced and the character, skills, resourcefulness, resilience and dedication of the people who were the glue that held it all together and somehow made it work.
Profits from the sale of the original book were donated to Griffith Base Hospital in the form of two special beds worth several thousand dollars each, and a $2000 cash donation to Country Hope.
All proceeds from the sale of this ebook are being donated to 'Griffith Can Assist' (an independent, local group volunteering their services for local cancer patients).
"We are a small volunteer group and community support is vital to be able to maintain a strong and viable Branch. Through your kindness, Griffith Can Assist will be able to provide additional care and comfort for many financially traumatised local cancer patients. We are very excited and grateful to be chosen as the recipients of the proceeds from the sale of this ebook." Olga Forner, President.
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