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The second project consisted of a group system of working, having several smaller
areas grouped into one larger area and the whole covered by a group of nurses who work
together under a group leader. This has resulted in the nurses getting to know most of
the patients in the larger area, particularly the ill ones. The care given has thus
been more consistent and the patients have experienced a better sense of security
through knowing their own nurses.
The Marie Curie Memorial Foundation has continued to be of great help to the
patients suffering from cancer by paying for extra nourishment and a night nurse when
needed to give the relatives a rest.
During 1966 a total of eight students completed their district nursing training
with the Islington Home Nursing Service, of these six came from countries outside the
United Kingdom.
Home Nursing
Total No. of patients being nursed at 1.1.66 650
31,12.66 637
" " " nursed during the year 2,634
" " visits made " " 98.265
" " "to persons aged over 65 77,814
Proportion of visits made to persons aged over 65 79%
Nursing treatments completed during the year 2,016
" " commenced " " 2,003
Loan of Equipment
The scheme for the loan of equipment, free of charge to persons being nursed
(irrespective of whether by district nurse, relative or friend) in their own home
continued during the year. The items loaned included the following:-
Equipment Total Number loaned
during 1966
Air and sorbo rings 40
Bed blocks 10
Bed cradles 35
Bed and back rests 87
Bed pans 42
Commodes, toilet seats, etc. 278
Dunlopillo, mattresses 11
Fracture boards 13
Mackintosh sheets 145
Special beds and hoists 28
Walking aids 40
Wheel chairs and other special chairs 116
Prophylaxis
All children attending the maternity and child welfare centres continued to
receive a full course of protection, except in cases where there were medical contraindications
or parental refusal. As children neared school age parents were advised
that they should bring the children to the centres for booster doses or obtain this
additional protection from their general practitioner.
Supplies of vaccines were available free of charge to general practitioners from
the local welfare centres and the central office. The Council paid a fee of 5/-d. to
general practitioners for each record of a completed course of immunisation providing
this record was received within three months of the completion of the course.
Checks made in primary schools in Islington revealed that there were considerable
numbers of children, particularly immigrants, who were not fully protected when they
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