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THE PRINCIPAL NURSING OFFICER REPORTS:
The borough has been fortunate throughout the year in maintaining a reasonable
staffing position, although recruitment of all grades of nursing staff has not
reached the level hoped for. Four health visitor students sponsored by the borough
successfully completed their training and joined the staff. In September six
sponsored students commenced health visitor training.
Despite some staffing shortages clinic activities have not only been maintained,
but it has been found possible due to the extra efforts of members of staff, to
expand in some fields.
Two training colleges send health visitor students to the borough for practical
experience. Facilities have been provided for post-graduate medical students from
countries throughout the world. Visits of social studies students to centres and
day nurseries have continued.
The department provides services which play an important part in enabling
families to be kept together during periods of stress. Day nursery places are
arranged during times when mothers are in hospital or ill at home, and home helps
can be provided for social reasons.
The creche service, in addition to providing play opportunities for children
under 5 years, also relieves the mother who is feeling some stress, particularly
where there are no relatives or neighbours to act as sitters-in for an afternoon.
No major changes have taken place in the day nursery service during the year.
Facilities for deaf children and other handicapped children are provided in either
special groups or as part of the routine service.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
A film entitled "Stranger in his own Country" was shown to members of the Health
Committee. The film deals with the patient processes of accustoming the mentally afflicted
to self reliant life in the community.
Day Centres: There is a Council day centre for the mentally ill and two others
administered by a voluntary organisation in the borough. Their aim and purpose is to
provide a meeting place where patients who live at home can obtain occupational and
educational therapy. Patients are able to discuss with mental health social workers
their personal problems and difficulties. An incidental object of the day centres is
to provide some relief to relatives from the care of mentally ill persons. The patients
attend for the whole day on five days a week and are provided with a midday meal and
light refreshments.
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