Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)
The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) was co-founded in 1897 by Lady Aberdeen, wife of the current Governor-General, and Henrietta Muir Edwards as a memorial to the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s ascent to the throne. Lady Aberdeen wrote of that memorial meeting:
many of the members told pathetic stories of cases where young mothers and children had died, whilst husbands and fathers were traveling many weary miles for the medical and nursing aid which might have saved them.
A not-for-profit national health care organization, the VON was established to provide nursing services to districts that did not have medical care.
Members of the VON often comprise those first on the scene during a health emergency. They were present in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax explosion, through the 1918 influenza epidemic, through two world wars, and a depression. They boast a “proud tradition of often being the first to identify emerging health and social needs, and then providing innovative services that meet those needs.”
Home Health Care Services that the V.O.N. provides include wound care, palliative care, I/V care, ostomy care, pediatric care and well-baby clinics, respiratory care, mental health programs for community group homes, dialysis, and footcare clinics.
The VON also provides services such as personal care, light housekeeping, respite care, meal preparation, Alzheimer day care programs, and retirement education.
The VON provides care for all ages. It exists in ten provinces, and operates on a 24 hours/day, 7 days/week basis. Nationwide, there are 62 branches in 1300 communities.
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