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clinics. At the request of the paediatricians concerned health visitors attended the out-pat ients
departments at hospitals to provide a link between hospital and home.
The numbers of health visitors including centre superintendents and tuberculosis visitors
employed at the beginning and end of the year were 39, there being 11 resignations and 11
appointments during the year. Command Paper 1973 recommended an establishment for the year
1967 of 36 health and tuberculosis visitors, based on a proportion of 0.18 visitors per 1,000
population, which ratio would equate to 34 staff for the current year.
HOME NURSING
Until the 31st March this year the home nursing service for the borough was carried out on
an agency basis by the East London Nursing Society for the major part of the borough, and by the
Nursing Sisters of St. John the Divine for the remainder of the area.
Following adoption by the Council of a recommendation that, having regard to the wide range
of health services provided directly by the Council in pursuance of its statutory powers, it was
in the best Interests of the borough and its inhabitants to bfciing the home nursing service under
the Council's direct control, and consequent upon approval being received from the Department of
Health and Social Security to amending proposals under Section 25 of the National Health Service
Act, 1946, the district nurses attached to the East London Nursing Society transferred their
services to the Council on the 1st April, from which date they operated from the Health Department
offices; The Society's premises, comprising headquarters and residential nurses' home, were not
transferred and housing accomirodation was made available by the Council to the nurses.
Additional auxiliary staff were appointed during the year for domici1iary bathing duties and
the like, in order to make more effective time available to nurses for nursing duties.
Statistics relating to the home nursing service are on page 97.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
Soiled personal clothing, bed linen, etc., iscollected at least twice weekly from the homes
of persons who are incontinent, and cleansed and laundered in the 1 aundry at Branch Head Cleansing
station. Increased demands led to a further expansion of the service necessitatingthe purchase
of additional equipment and the appointment of an additional 1 aundrywoman. (Statistics on page
97).
INCONTINENCE PADS
Special commercially prepared disposable pads and/or knickers are supplied free in suitable
cases for use by incontinent and chronical ly il1 aged pesons. Over 27,000 pads plus knickers and
1 inings were purchased during the year and issued to 165 persons, 29% more persons than 1 ast year
receiving this service.
LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
Articles of nursing and sick room equipment are loaned at the request of the general
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