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The usual arrangements were made for the five-yearly refresher
courses for midwives and health visitors. These courses are
arranged by the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College
of Nursing, the Health Visitors' Association and the Central Council
for Health Education and are recognised by the Ministry of
Health.
The senior staff in the day nurseries have remained unchanged
throughout the year but there is a rapid turnover of young nursery
nurses and nursery assistants. Newly qualified nursery nurses tend
either to go on to further training in hospital or else apply for
posts with private families. Many return to day nursery work
later on. On the whole the staffing position has been slightly
better this year than last but with such small staffs even one
vacancy can create difficulties during periods of sickness and
holidays. It is also very difficult to recruit suitable domestic staff
but cooking and cleaning have to go on, however few staff are
available. Some relief has been obtained by extending the use of
a commercial laundry service leaving only emergency washing to
be done in the nursery.
Seven student nursery nurses completed their two-year training
and sat for the National Nursery Examination Board examination
in July. Six passed and the one who failed re-sat in November
and passed.
Facilities for Student Training
During the year practical health visiting experience was provided
for eight students from Battersea College of Advanced Technology
(University of Surrey). These students spend approximately
three months with us, one month each term. Two students are
allocated to a Welfare Centre and their training is supervised by
a Field Work Instructor.
We have continued to provide a one-day programme of experience
for about 200 student nurses from the various local hospital
Nurse Training Schools. In addition a number of talks were given
to the student nurses in hospitals in preparation for, or following,
these visits.
The domiciliary midwifery service provided a period of three
months' training for 40 pupil midwives and a single day of district
experience for 24 student nurses taking an obstetric course.
Visits and talks were also arranged for a number of students
and visitors from various fields of public health and social work
including a number of overseas students.