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however, some time for the public to get used to the idea of the
nurses living in their own homes, though in fact the majority had
been doing so for years, and only a few lived in the Nurses Homes,
It would appear from this year's numbers that some stability
has been reached in requests for the nurses' help. The same
relationship exists in calls for general nursing, other treatments
and injections. The slight drop in the number of injections
given by the nurses is due to the fact that penicillin is now more
often administered orally,
22 full time and eight part time nurses are at present employed
in the Home Nursing Service.
Apart from four nurses who are kept for relief duties each
nurse has a localised district where she works permanently,
This has proved to be the most satisfactory method of using the
staff. During the year five home nurses attended refresher courses
each of one week's duration,
The work has varied little from that of 1955, injections of
various drugs and the care of the aged sick still forming-a
preponderence.
With the increasing demand for nursing the helpless patients
at home a need has become obvious in that some type of lifting
apparatus is required to enable a nurse to move heavy patients
without injury to herself, It is hoped to provide a simple type
of hoist for this work in the near future. Also in connection
with nursing these patients, the Hornsey Nursing Association has
kindly made a gift of two Dunlopillo mattresses for use in Hornsey,
These mattresses were sent out to patients a few days after delivery
and have been in constant use ever since. They have afforded
great relief and comfort to the long term bed patients.
Surgical cases discharged home for care of post operative
wounds has continued in an effort to release hospital beds earlier
than would otherwise be possible.
As reported in previous years lack of adequate motor transport
affects efficiency, During the cold and wet winter of 1955 much
discomfort for the nurse and much delay was encountered in carrying
out visits.