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groups on a variety of subjects. Red Cross Parentcraft Courses have been popular as afterschool
activities, and all pupils taking the courses were successful.
Five student health visitors have received practical instruction from field work instructors.
Arrangements of Visits to Establishments.
The Borough Health Visiting and Nursing Section arranged programmes of visits for 889
visitors during the year. Nursing and medical students, social workers, teachers in training, and
Senior Public Health Nursing Officers from China, Denmark, Hong Kong and the United States of
America were given an insight into the Personal Health Services of the Borough.
Home Nursing.
The work of the Home Nurses during the year has proceeded without any serious increase
of patients due to epidemic illnesses, and 110, 615 visits have been made. As in previous years,
much time is spent among the aged, many of whom are entirely bedridden and need prolonged care.
Present-day rehabilitation teaching has helped many patients to become a little more independent,
and encouraged their limited ability to help themselves.
Additional items of disposable equipment have been made available to the nursing staff,
thus making it possible to give a more efficient service.
Eight student district nurses have received district training and have successfully pased
the examination. These nurses have all remained in the service.
Loan of Home Nursing Equipment.
There has been a steady increase in the demand for equipment on loan to people nursed
at home. Requests are received from hospitals, general practitioners, district nurses, and from
the Council's social workers. A notable exception is that no requests were received for the
issue of bedding to tuberculous patients nursed at home. The items for which there is the greatest
demand are commodes, wheelchairs, walking aids, and lifting devices.
The Council has continued the arrangements for the provision of incontinence pads commended
to local authorities by the Minister of Health in Circular 14/63. Protective garments with
disposable linings have also been made available for incontinent persons not confined to bed.
Issues made in the year 1965 were:-
Commodes 99
Wheelchairs 52
Tripod walking sticks 22
Walking aids 15
Penryn Hoists 14
Fracture Boards 11
Easi-carri Hoists 6
Maternity and Child Welfare.
Attendances at the Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics have been well maintained. 48,906
children aged between 1-5 years were seen during the year. The register, instituted in 1959, of
children regarded especially at risk because of circumstances at birth or later, has been continued
and provides a valuable indication of the need for supervision or treatment.
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