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This total of 1,086 was eleven fewer than in the previous year.
The number of home nurses working in partnership with general
practitioners has increased from three to six. Discussions are
taking place with other general practitioners and it is anticipated
that more "attachment" schemes will be introduced in the coming
year. A most encouraging aspect of group attachment is the
increasing support given to the elderly sick and the handicapped
in the community. Over 70 per cent of all cases requiring nursing
care at home are 65 years of age or over, and the number steadily
increases year by year. Regular consultation with the general
practitioner and improved communication between hospital and
community staff has resulted in the home nurse not only giving
skilled nursing care, but assisting in the rehabilitation of the
elderly. Immobility and incontinence are commonly found in this
age group of patients and the increase in the number of nursing
auxiliaries and the in-service training now provided, has led not
only to an increased number of visits, but also ensured an
improved quality of care.
After discussion with the staff of Queen Mary's Hospital,
Roehampton, a liaison scheme involving both hospital and the
community nursing staff commenced in January This scheme,
called the Planned Early Discharge of Surgical Patients, enabled
the admission and discharge of selected surgical patients to be
arranged with the full knowledge of the patient's clinical and
social conditions and the support that can be provided by the
community services. The provision of home nursing service
commences on the actual day of discharge, the nurse acting as
communicator with the general practitioner, the hospital and the
community services.
The following table shows the total number of persons nursed
and the visits paid during the yean-
Home nursing service