View report page

72
Residential boarding and special schools and children's homes
Thirty-seven state registered nurses and nine state enrolled assistant nurses are employed
whole-time in residential establishments administered by the Education and Children's
Committees. Their duties are to recognise early symptoms and prevent the spread of
infection, apply first-aid measures in the event of accident, undertake the bedside nursing
of children for whom admission to hospital is unobtainable and generally to be responsible
for the health educational aspects of the care of children. Owing to the shortage of
trained staff for appointment the most effective use has to be made of those available.
In certain special schools in out-County areas it has been possible to obtain non-resident
nursing staff willing to give part-time services. This scheme is working well, particularly
where residential accommodation for whole-time staff is limited. Every effort is made to
ensure that nursing staff in out-County schools and homes who work rather in isolation
are visited regularly by a senior member of the central administrative nursing staff and
lectures and demonstrations are arranged to keep them familiar with modern techniques
in child care.
One nursing sister is in charge of the unit for diabetic children attached to Hutton
Children's Home.
School camps
Three National Holiday Camps are open each year from March to November. Six
school nursing sisters are seconded for duty with the parties of London school children
sent everv fortnight durine this period.
Roland
House
It was found possible during the year to maintain a stable nursing staff at this Holiday
Home which is now open to the fullest extent for the reception of 36 children between
four and eight years. (See page 98.)
Large welfare homes
Forty-three state registered nurses are employed as ward sisters in the large welfare
homes for duties concerned with the care of old and infirm residents and those confined
to bed who need nursing attention. Considerable difficulty is experienced in securing the
admission to hospital of acutely ill as well as chronic sick patients and the nursing
establishment of these homes had to be increased during 1952 to meet the demand. A
high standard of nursing care is maintained by welfare assistants working under the
direction and supervision of trained nursing staff.
Medical examination section at County Hall
The volume of work in the medical examination section required the services of four
school nursing sisters throughout the year with additional relief and help for special
sessions. Duties undertaken include the medical examination of new entrants to the
service, sick staff, and large numbers of children attending for special examination. The
nursing staff is also available for the treatment of casualties or sudden illness amongst
staff and visitors to County Hall and they undertake first-aid duty at all receptions held
in County Hall.
Inspection of nursing agencies
A senior member of the central administrative nursing staff is available to the public
control department for advice and consultation in the inspection, under the Nurses
Act, 1943, of agencies supplying trained nurses.
Refresher courses and post-entry training
All nursing staff engaged on health education duties are given facilities to attend approved
refresher courses periodically. In addition to these refresher courses lectures, discussions
and staff conferences at County Hall are arranged at intervals to ensure that staff are kept