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HOME NURSING
Section 25
The home nursing service has continued on the same lines as in
previous years. The winter of 1953 was very mild with few fogs and
as a consequence the service did not encounter the overwhelming
demand which usually occurs during November and December.
General practitioners and hospitals use the service very fully. The
number of requests for the administration of antibiotics increases year
by year. A Ministry of Health circular has laid down the method to
be used when administering streptomycin on account of the tendency
of staff to develop a reaction after handling the drug, usually in the
form of dermatitis. No nurse has suffered any reaction in this Area.
Another aspect of the home nursing service which is becoming more
familiar is the nursing at home of the elderly ill patient who for one
reason or another cannot be admitted to hospital. These patients are
a constant source of anxiety as they are often in a very neglected state
and living alone, and all the resources of the service do not seem
adequately to meet their needs.
Very full use is made of the services of the British Red Cross
Society and the Old People's Welfare Committees and all requests are
met with promptness and courtesy.
The following table gives details of the cases attended by home
nurses during the year. It is set out in the form now required by the
Ministry of Health and direct comparison with previous years is not
possible.