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confused at night, so preventing the relative from getting a good night's rest is
much needed. An expansion of the home bathing service is under consideration
to meet the waiting list of patients recommended for this service.
It is likely that next year St. Thomas's Hospital will commence a pilot
scheme for day surgery, when the patient will have a minor operation in the
morning and come home in the afternoon. It is agreed that Lambeth district
nurses will be involved in the follow up and care of these patients. This will
make a fuller use of nursing skills and will help make for even closer co-operation
with hospitals.
Total number of persons nursed during the year 5,963
Number aged under 5 at first visit during the year 425
Number aged 65 and over at first visit in the year 3,323
Total number of visits during the year 160,405
Health Education
Increasirg interest in Health Education amongst teaching staff in secondary
schools has been encouraging this year, and several pilot projects have been
mounted in order to try and meet specific needs within each school.
Groups of 4th year girls attending the nearby Child Health Centre for
their classes on Parentcraft has helped relieve accommodation problems at one
school.
Participation with teaching staff with established health education and
parentcraft courses has been a useful way of relating relevant subjects to the
physical, mental and social health teaching in the community, and 6th Form
discussion groups on problems arising from unwanted pregnancies, venereal
disease, drug addiction etc. has reinforced our belief that these subjects need
to be introduced earlier in their school life. Debates on "Smoking" with 5th
and 6th year students resulted in resounding victories for those against the
motion "That Smoking is beneficial and socially acceptable". It is hoped that
the converted upper school pupils will impress upon the lower school children
the error of their ways !
The winter courses at the Adolescent Hostels continue to prove to be a
source of much useful discussion on parental responsibility; Mothers Clubs
continue to thrive and have doubled in number in the last two years. Relaxation
and Mothercraft Classes have been well attended, and we continue to receive
requests for Speakers to talk to Youth Clubs, Colleges of Further Education,
Mother and Baby Homes, Hospitals etc., on a variety of subjects. A
Certificated course given by a Health Visitor at a teacher training college on