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Staffing remains a problem with a shortage of recruits combined with high
and early marriage rates. Closer integration of the service with the borough
provisions for bathing attendants, and domiciliary chiropody for the aged
ensures maximum efficiency in the use of scarce nursing staff. The expanding
use of disposal equipment is time-saving and allows more personal assistance
to be given to help the rehabilitation of patients. The provision of an
Occupational Therapist on the staff of the Health Department able to make
domiciliary visits is proving a boon to the housebound patient and helping
'to add life to years, when modern therapy adds years to life'. (Statistics
on page 93).
Laundry Service for Incontinent Persons
Soiled personal clothing, bed linen, etc. is collected twice weekly from
the homes of persons who are incontinent, and cleansed and laundered in the
laundry at Branch Road cleansing station. (Statistics on page 93).
The Council also provides this service on an agency basis for the City of
London.
Loan of Nursing Equipment
Articles of nursing equipment are loaned free of charge to persons being
nursed in their own homes. The Council purchased many items of additional
equipment required to meet requests for loans. In addition equipment is
loaned to persons by the British Red Cross Society and by the Council's
Welfare Department to handicapped persons in particular. (Statistics on page
94).
Incontinence pads
The provision of incontinence pads free in suitable cases began this year
for use by some incontinent and chronically ill aged persons.
Domiciliary Midwifery
The Council operates a domiciliary midwifery service under Section 23 of
the National Health Service Act 1946, by arrangements for utilising the services
of midwives employed by the Nursing Sisters of St. John the Divine and the
London Hospital.
In addition the Council directly employs a midwife who is also the Nonmedical
Supervisor of Midwives. In all,nine midwives operate in the area of
the Borough. Pupil midwives in training at the end of the year numbered 5.
36.