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establishment of 36 nurses. The establishment also provides for a Superintendent
and two Assistant Superintendents, but one of the latter poets has not been
occupied.
Footnote-From the above report it will be seen that a great deal of time is
spent by professional staff doing work, e.g. bed baths, which could quite
adequately be done by less highly qualified staff.
Statistics
Total number of persons nursed during the year 1,868
Number of persons who were aged under 5 at first visit 28
Number of persons who were aged 65 or over at first visit 713
LOAN OF SICK-ROOM EQUIPMENT
Patients being nursed at home may, on medical recommendation, be loaned a
wide variety of equipment to assist in their care. Bulky items are delivered
to patients' homes, smaller articles are collected from the health department
by relatives.
2,024 articles were loaned during the year and 3,858 items were out on loan
at the end of the year. In addition, 26,500 disposable pads for incontinent
patients were issued. The disposal of these pads has not given rise to any
major difficulty up to the present, although their increasing use may call for
epecial arrangements in the future, particularly in smokeless zones and in
centrally heated blocks of flats. Where patients have not been able to dispose
of the pads, this has been arranged at the destructor plant.
Following advice from the Ministry of Health in August 1966, the sick-room
equipment loan scheme was extended to include the provision of waterproof pants
and knickers with disposable linings for incontinent people. During the year,
19 patients were issued with these garments.
OVER SIXTIES CLINIC, OXLOW LANE
The medico-social assessment of the elderly continued through the year,
although there was a period when its activities were suspended due to a severe
shortage of doctors.
The centre has proved over the past nine years that it has a useful
contribution to make towards the preventive care of the elderly. Active
preparation is taking place for the provision of an additional centre at the
Porters Avenue Clinic in 1968. Further expansion of this service is hampered
by chronic shortage of medical staff which exists not only in this Borough but
throughout the nation.
GERIATRIC LIAISON OFFICER
An important function of the Geriatric Liaison Officer is to provide a
link between the geriatrician, the family doctor, and those departments of the
Borough Council and voluntary organisations concerned with the support of the
elderly. She also contributes to the task of promoting greater understanding
of the problems and needs of the elderly amongst their relatives and the
public at large.
During the year, close liaison with family doctors and geriatricians was
maintained. In addition, a good working relationship with other departments
has been strengthened and contacts formed with voluntary agencies concerned
with the care of the elderly.
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