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All requests for the service can be received throughout the 24 hours at City Hall, by the Nursing
Officer during the day and by the Duty Officer at night and weekends. Visits are normally made to
patients between 8.30 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.
A clinic is held at 117 Sutherland Avenue from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday for ambulant
or working patients requiring injections or other forms of nursing treatment.
Accommodation
This is available in the Nurses Home at 117 and 90 Sutherland Avenue. A resident housekeeper
was appointed in July 1968 and is responsible for all the domestic arrangements.
Training
Nine State Registered Nurses completed their district nurse training during the year, five of whom
were in the last group to gain the Queen's Certificate of District Nursing. Since May 1968 the students
receive their theoretical instruction at Chiswick Technical College and their practical training as
before, qualifying after examination for the National Certificate in District Nursing.
Three student nurses from the Hammersmith Hospital Integrated Course undertook five weeks'
district nursing as the first part of their training, to be completed in 1970.
Five State Enrolled Nurses received the Queen's Certificate for the Inservice Course of Instruction
which they completed during the year, and nine pupil nurses from Westminster Hospital spent two
weeks working with district nurses as part of their S.E.N. training. The bathing attendants employed
in the Home Nursing Service enjoyed six study days arranged for them at Sutherland Avenue.
Observation Visits
Eighty-eight student nurses from six hospitals and nine medical students spent a day observing
the work of district nurses.
Refresher Courses
Appropriate refresher courses attended this year by district nurses included Practical Work
Instructors Courses and a Management Course for the first time.
Paediatric Home Care Unit
A district nurse works full-time with the St. Mary's Hospital Home Care Unit, visiting sick
children in their homes.
Royal Household
The district nurse resident in Buckingham Palace Mews to provide nursing care for members
of the Royal Household, received her long-service badge from the Queen Mother in November,
for 21 years continuous district nursing service.
City of Westminster District Nursing Association
This Association continues to administer various charities in the area, which are of particular
benefit to the sick and the elderly. Certain amenities for patients and staff are available from
Association funds.
DOMICILIARY MIDWIFERY
The City Council provides a domiciliary midwifery service to meet the needs of mothers who
wish to be confined at home, and for those who are confined in hospital for medical reasons but
whose social conditions permit planned early discharge.
The Westminster Hospital provides the service on an agency basis for the S.W.1 area and the
remainder of the City is covered by four full-time domiciliary midwives employed by the City
Council.
Training
Two pupil midwives from St. Mary's Hospital, Harrow Road, completed their Part II midwifery
training in the Westminster area. One midwife is an approved teacher and a revised training has
now been approved by the Central Midwives Board requiring only six home confinements and
more public health observation visits during the three month's district experience.