View report page

108
Observation Visits—Facilities for the purposes of observation
were afforded by the department to the following:—
2 Ward Sisters
1 Health Visitor Student
36 Female Hospital Students
12 Male Hospital Students
District Nursing—An Appraisal—Improved child health has led
to a fall in the proportion of paediatric cases but the operation of the
Mental Health Act of 1959, which has resulted in a reorientation of
treatment of the mentally ill from hospital to community care, will
undoubtedly increase demands on the district nursing service as will
the general tendency towards an ageing population.
Until a better understanding is developed between district
nursing and its allied services, the full potentiality of home nursing
cannot be realised and the public, in general, benefit from its use.
Good home nursing staff has not been easy to recruit, those
resigning, almost always for domestic reasons, have persistently
outweighed those commencing. Our staff of district nurses has,
therefore, remained below establishment although there are signs
that the position is improving.
Attachment of nurses to group practices, their employment in
groups under a senior district sister, greater use of S.E.Ns., auxiliary
nurses and bath attendants, are all subjects being investigated with
a view to improving the standards of service.
With the introduction of disposable equipment and presterilized
dressing packs a more efficient service has been made
available to the patient. However, advantages gained by the nursing
services on the introduction of disposable equipment are being offset
by the growing problems arising from its disposal. Elimination of
the coal fires and stoves in new, high density dwellings and smoke
control areas, intensifies the difficulties encountered in the disposal
of soiled dressings, incontinent pads, etc., the solution to which may
mean an expensive ad hoc collecting service.
Home Help Service
During 1966, as in the preceding year, the aged infirm section
of the population were the predominant users of the Home Help
Service. The number of those over 65 years receiving help almost
trebled during the year and it is without doubt the devoted service
of both the District Nurses and the Home Helps which enables many
elderly folk to continue living in their own homes for as long as
possible. Without such a service, the increase in pressure on the
Council's Part III accommodation would be considerable.
Unlike previous years, there was no undue difficulty in recruitment
of suitable persons for this work, apart from a few months at