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11
Field nursing attachments to general practices and links with
local hospitals have also developed satisfactorily in relation to
district nursing. The number of home nurses attached to general
practitioners doubled in 1972 as this highly desirable development
gathered momentum with the ultimate objective of universal
attachment in support of primary medical care. In addition at the
beginning of the year a planned early discharge scheme of
surgical patients - based on their clinical condition, home
circumstances, and the community supporting services available
was introduced at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, in consultation
with the hospital staff, general practitioners and home
nurses concerned. Such joint ventures are in the true spirit of an
integrated service. The grand total of home nursing visits paid
reached the record figure of 125,096 and to this achievement must
be allied the splendid support given by the increased force of
nursing auxiliaries whose contribution entailed far more than the
mere provision of a home bathing service. Over 80% of the patients
nursed were aged 65 or more. The home nursing commitment in
relation to renal dialysis, first mentioned in the 1971 Annual
Report, continued to be met effectively and the implementation of
the Mayston Report recommendations regarding the management
structure of the local health authority nursing services proceeded
smoothly and unspectacularly throughout the year. The Chief
Nursing Officer, Miss Harding, is to be congratulated on the able
and unostentatious manner in which she coped with the problems
inevitably associated with such a major reorganisation.
Two other valuable services for the elderly which flourished
during 1972 were the supply of incontinence pads - 185,900
being issued compared with 132,000 the previous year — and the
provision of chiropody facilities in clinics, old people's
residential accommodation, individual homes and private
surgeries. The Council is indeed fortunate to have such an
enthusiastic and talented Chief Chiropodist as Mr.Trenter; the
statistics in Part 4 of the Report testify to his zeal and leadership
and, characteristic of the breadth of his interest, he
undertook in collaboration with Dr.Michael Church a pilot survey
of children's feet and footwear at various schools in the Borough
which, not surprisingly, revealed only too frequently the wearing
of shoes undoubtedly detrimental to foot health. The moral is
clear - prevention of needless deformity in early life may be the
means of ensuring that mobility so conducive to enjoyment of
old age.
Few can doubt that the provision of primary medical and
nursing care in purpose-built general practice premises or health