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on an agency basis by the Nursing Sisters of St. John the Divine). The changeover
was made smoothly and all members of the staff co-operated to the fullest extent.
In general the service is used mostly by the older patients suffering from chronic
illness. The trend for patients to need care over a long period continues.
Liaison between District Nursing and General Practitioners
In 1964 the group system of administering the district nursing service had been
introduced; and the advantages of this scheme became apparent in 1965 as general
practitioners began to know and meet more regularly the group of nurses nursing in
their areas.
A most interesting survey of the new cases in the half year April-September 1965
revealed that 150 general practitioners used the service during that period.
Of these 14 referred more than 20 cases in the six months
9 „ between 15-20 „ „ „ „ „
13 „ „ 10-15 „ „ „ „ „
28 „ „ 5-10 „ „ „ „ „
86 „ less than 5 „ „ „ „ „
Liaison between District Nursing and Hospital Service
Hospital Ward Sisters and Medico-Social Workers maintain a close partnership with
the service. 38 student nurses and one ward sister paid domiciliary visits with the
district nursing staff as part of the enrichment of their hospital experience.
Rota duty and Night attendance service
A new rota system allowing alternate weekends off duty and giving all staff the
equivalent of a 5 day working week was commenced on 1st November. All calls
outside office hours are referred through the Control Centre (see Domiciliary Midwifery)
to the Superintendant or deputy on duty. One member of each group in
rotation is on late evening duty and takes emergency night calls.
The night attendance service is financed through the Marie Curie Memorial
Foundation. An attendant who will sit up at night and relieve the relatives in cases
of terminal cancer is available in the borough. This is a short term service which is
used intermittently but is of great value. Twelve patients made use of the service
during the year.
Bathing Attendants
1 male and 3 female bathing attendants were employed to bed-bath patients who,
while under the overall supervision of the District Nurses, do not require skilled
nursing. This help has so far only been available in Metropolitan Lewisham but it is
hoped to extend the service to the whole borough in the near future. The number of
home-baths carried out by Bathing Attendants during the year was 4,422.
LOAN SERVICE
Any article of equipment which will assist in the nursing of people in their own homes
can be borrowed provided:—
(a) it is not required for permanent use
(b) it is not of a type which has to be made to measure, and therefore can be
used by successive persons with the same requirement.
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