View report page

PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE AND AFTER-CARE
HOME NURSING
This year has brought some changes in the Home Nursing field which
should prove to be for the good of the service and patients.
One big improvement occurred in March with the commencing of a bath
attendant service. This has been a big boon to both the nursing staff and
patients. Although there are four nursing attendants employed on a parttime
basis it is hoped to increase the number next year.
In September the closure of York House as a nurses' residence for
which it was built and opened in 1932 by the Duchess of York, now the tiueen
Mother, was a sad event. Five resident staff were accommodated in flats
and an office was provided at the Civic Centre for administrative purposes.
The number of nurses providing the service has remained the same as
only a small number of vacancies occurred during the year. These were
quickly filled.
The training of nursing staff for district work has continued, though
on a smaller scale. Three nurses took this course but all were successful
and were placed on the establishment.
The Marie Curie Day/Night Nursing Service has continued its invaluable
work, but it is still regrettable that so few people are available to do this
The need for Marie Curie nurses is irregular and because there is no retainin)
fee, most people leave to find more regular employment.
Statistics
Total number of persons nursed during the year 1,949
Number of persons who were aged under 5 at first visit 12
Number of persons who were aged 65 or over at first visit 830
THE GUTHRIE TEST
Phenylketonuria is a genetic disease which affects 1 in every 10,000
children born in England and Wales. The early diagnosis of this disorder
is now a matter of urgency since it is now known that early dietary control
will mean a child of normal or near normal intelligence and ability. Failure
to diagnose this condition leads to a severely mentally handicapped child
requiring a life¬time of special education and community care.
The introduction of the "Phenistix" test for phenylketonuria was an
important step forward in the field of preventative mental health. There
are, however, two disadvantages associated with this test, (i) It lacks
sufficient sensitivity; (ii) a positive test might not be obtained until
the 6th week of life.
The Guthrie test requires a drop of blood taken on the 6th - 7th day
of life. It is a very sensitive test for phenylketonuria and so far the
rate of detection of cases approaches the known incidence of the disease.
42