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At the end of the year 21 statutorily registered private nurseries and playgroups
were providing places for 505 children.
The amendments to the 1948 Act are unlikely to have any effect on the numbers of
premises to be registered.
Child Minders
As for premises above, visits of inspection are carried out by a senior medical officer
and a senior nursing officer to persons who are required to register as child minders. These
visits are essential not only for inspection purposes but to advise and assist the child minder
in the care of the young children under her charge.
At the end of the year 19 statutorily registered child minders were providing places
for 100 children.
A considerable volume of work will fall upon visiting officers and administrative and
clerical staff as a result of the extension of registration to persons receiving less than three
children. The number of registered child minders is expected to reach 300.
Voluntary Child Minders Scheme
Persons daily minding less than three children for reward were not required to
register under the 1948 Act before its amendment, but were invited to join the Council's
voluntary scheme and receive a fee of 6 shillings a week for conforming to the Council's
requirements and accepting supervision by a health visitor. Charges were mutually agreed
between the parent and minder.
At 31 December, 1968, 52 minders were receiving fees and minding a total of 71
children.
The scheme is likely to cease early in the New Year as its objects can be achieved by
registration under the amended Act from 1 February 1969.
District Nursing
Section 25 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, as amended imposes a duty on
local health authorities to make provision, either directly or through a voluntary body for
the attendance of nurses on patients who require nursing in their own homes or elsewhere.
The district nursing service in Southwark is provided directly by the Council. The
service is provided only on the recommendation of the patient's general practitioner with
whom the nurse works in close co-operation. (see also page 31, "Attachment of staff
to General Practitioners"). Nursing auxiliaries were employed to provide the routine care
of long-term patients and to carry out other duties not requiring the skills of a trained
nurse. Many student nurses from Guy's, St. Francis and St.Giles' Hospitals and medical
students from Middlesex Hospital accompanied district nurses on their rounds.
During the year 5 students completed their district nurse training. In view of the
decision of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing to discontinue the training of district
nurses after the course in May, 1968, application was made to the Department of Health
and Social Security for approval of Southwark as a centre for district nurse training.
Approval was received early in the year and the Council's training scheme was accordingly
registered.
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