1918-10-29Sisters of Service Supervision

It had been an explosive charge. Some very unhappy women who had volunteered with the Sisters of Service had told a Spectator reporter that they had been left alone for extended periods in the homes to which they had been assigned, that they had not been relieved or had any chance for food for 24 hours or more at a time.

It was claimed that S.O.S., while volunteers, would receive some compensation, to cover basic expenses. These payments were often long delayed or no made at all.

To try to address these charges and more generally show the general public that the Sisters of Service volunteers were actually well-looked after :

 “There seems to be some misunderstanding of the work of the S.O.S. and the sort of ladies who would like to assist in this good work. There is an impression that the conditions under which they will asked to work are inimical to their health and safety, and that the work should be done by regular inspectors of the board of health.

“It is because the facilities of normal times are entirely inadequate to cope with an emergency such as the unprecedented epidemic of the ‘flu’ that the S.O.S. came into being.”¹

¹ “Every Care Taken to Guard S.O.S. Nurses : All Volunteers Work Under Direction of Qualified Nurses : To See That They Are Well Looked After and Get Proper Food”

Hamilton Herald.    October 29, 1918.

The Herald reporter then proceeded to recount how the oversight of the Sisters of Service had been put together:

““The headquarters of S.O.S. organization are at the Y.W.C.A. building, West Main street. The city is divided into districts and each district is under the charge of a qualified nurse. When a call is received these emergency call nurses go into the homes, make an investigation and render such temporary help as seems necessary. They arrange to supply S.O.S. nurses where they are most needed.

                   FREQUENT VISITS

“The S.O.S. nurses are then sent into these homes, if conditions warrant, as quickly as they can be supplied. They are followed up once or twice daily as required, by an inspecting or advising nurse, who sees that they get proper food and supplies and that they understand the orders given by the physician and also assist, where necessary to carry out these orders. It will be seen that in no case are the sisters left in a position of the least uncertainty. The inspecting nurses give all information required and make frequent visits in order that any emergency may be met promptly.”¹