View report page

51
The students provide a good source of feedback as to the service, e.g. multiplicity of visiting has been
highlighted where students have been to the same family with a number of different workers. They also
provide a degree of in-service training for some of the staff in that they hear something of modern hospital
techniques from the students. There is now a closer association with the hospital tutorial staff than
previously and we are learning more about each others' functions through the medium of the students.
Finally this provides a new opportunity for younger members of the staff to gain teaching experience, and
for staff planners to assess potential ability in this field.
The cost to the local authority
Eight nurses attend each six-week course. The total cost of one course was calculated and divided by 8,
giving the cost per student which is £30.21. Claims for reimbursement are being sent to the individual
Hospitals on the basis of the fee of £10 per nurse per course as recommended by the General Nursing
Council.
Conclusion
A scheme of evaluation has been set out in the following way: —
(a) Personal Questionnaire
(b) Objectives
(c) Internal Validation (Action Plan Book)
(d) External Validation (Test Paper)
This has been instituted and should ultimately indicate (a) the optimum time for training, (b) the most
desirable prior experience, (c) weakest areas of the programme, and (d) the effect of good or poor
experience.
Although perhaps too early to do more than discuss the possible effects on the service it would seem
overall that the advantages may outweigh the disadvantages. Two important points do emerge. First, that
programme arrangements are, properly, a task of first line management, providing contacts useful to them
in other areas of their work. Secondly, that Field Staff acting as instructors should be thoroughly briefed as
to the needs of the students and the necessity of planning ahead, particularly where a student is attached
for one whole week.
LOAN OF HOME NURSING EQUIPMENT
The service provided by the city council under the scheme for the free loan of home nursing equipment
continues to fulfil the needs of Westminster residents and to ease the burden of those who have the
problem of nursing sick relatives at home. The provision of this equipment often enables the ailing to be
nursed at home and thereby postpone or obviate hospital admission; also by the provision of essential
nursing aids many patients are able to be discharged home from hospital earlier than would be possible
otherwise.
Items requested tend to follow the pattern of previous years.
All requests are dealt with by the Supplies Section who are also responsible for the issuing of aids and
equipment for the disabled and handicapped — a responsibility of the Social Services Department. This has
resulted in a strong link of liaison between the two Departments.
I should again like to express my gratitude to the British Red Cross Society (Westminster Division) for
continuing their help in the distribution of smaller items of equipment.