London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Tower Hamlets 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tower Hamlets, London Borough]

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III PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Principal Nursing Officer, Mrs. D.E. Marrin, reports as follows:-
"Staff changes during the year included one Assistant Nursing Officer who
left to take up the position of Chief Nursing Officer of aneighbouring borough,
the vacancy being filled by the promotion of one of our Centre Superintendents.
A second Assistant Nursing Officer left to take a tutoring post. This vacancy
was not filled as, apart from health aspects, the responsibi1ity for supervision
of child minders and pre-school playgroups passed to the Social Services
Department.
One Health Visitor took up duties with the Save the Children Fund in
Bangladesh and another was appointed a Justice of the Peace.
Staffing stability was poor during 1971. 19 Health Visitors (including
students who completed their training) were appointed, 17 resigned.
Training
Nine Health Visitor students were sponsored for training commencing in
September, 1971, one of whom was a District Nurse. The six Health Visitor
students sponsored in 1970 were successful in their examination. Three Health
Visitors attended courses to obtain the Field-Work Instructors certificate ,
thus assisting in the continuity of the increasingly heavy training programme
for nurses from surroundin-g hospitals andforHealth Vis i tors and al 1 ied workers,
which each year is undertaken by the nursing section.
Plans were laid for providing the community experience for student nurses
based in hospitals in preparation for their State Registration. The community
experience required is now considerably increased in accordance with the
requirements of the new syllabus of nurse training as laid down by the General
Nursing Council, Special arrangements have also been made for the London Hospital
based students taking the SRN/RMN course of training, to receive sixteen weeks
community experience in co-operation with the Social Services Department.
A total of 96 medical students and 261 student nurses were assisted in gaining
community experience throughout the year
First Line Management courses were attended by four Health Visitors, to
ensure their understanding of the proposed new "Mayston" structure.
Study days and conferences attended by various grades of nursing staff
covered a wide range of topics including the following - audiometric training,
home safety, family planning, colostomy and ileostomy care, multiple sclerosis
and family psychiatry.
Clinic Centre Activities
Placed strategically throughout the borough as they are and easily
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