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as in group sessions held at the clinics. At the request of the paediatricians
concerned health visitors attend out-patients djpartments 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 35 and 31 respectively,
there being 12 resignations and 8 appointments during the year. Command Paper 1973
recommended an estab 1ishment for the year 1967 of 36 health and tuberculosis visitors,
based on aproportion of 0,18 visitors per 1,000 population which ratio would equate
to 30 staff for the current year.
HOME NURSING
An increasing number of patients are being nursed at home by the District Nurses,
partly because of earlier discharge from hospital e.g., for suture removing. Thishas
resulted in the proportion of patients over 65 years of age reducing from 57% last
year to 48% this year.
Two senior staff completed the advanced course of Practical Work Instruction
during the year. Two State Registered Nurses completed the District Nursing Training
course one obtaining the National Certificate. One state Enrolled Nurse had a course
of District Nurse instruction.
The following number of pupils from the London Hospital undertook the State
Enrolled Nurses' Integrated course of training, 23 pupils for 2 days District Nurse
training. 25 pupils for 2 weeks District Nurse training and 9 pupils for 8 weeks
District Nurse training, all 9 being successful intheir examination for the National
Ce rt i f icate.
Two pilot liaison schemes with general practitioners commenced during the year.
In 1970 two pilot schemes for Group Practice attachment commenced.
Nursing Auxiliaries assist District Nurses by undertaking the bathing of patients
in their own homes, thus allowing them more time for nursing duties.
Statistics relating to the Home Nursing Service are on page 84.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
Soiled personal clothing, bed linen, etc., is collected at least twice weekly
from the homes of persons who are incontinent, and cleansed and laundered in the
department's laundry at Branch Road Cleansing Station, The number of collections
made showed an increase of 12% over those made in 1970. Additional equipment was
purchased for the laundry at a cost of £1,625.
Statistics on page 84.
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