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COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE
1971 saw the beginning of a new era for the Community Nursing Service.
The Mayston Management Structure was approved and accepted by the Council.
The first appointments were made in October 1971 when Miss M. Dobson, NonMedical
Supervisor of Midwives and Superintendent of Home Nurses and
Mrs. C. Ledden, Deputy Superintendent Health Visitor were appointed as
the two Area Nursing Officers. It is hoped to appoint the Director of
Nursing Services early in the New Year.
The "Social Service" Department officially came into being on the
1st April but did not assume the responsibility of the Day Care of Children
until the 1st July. Therefore the health visiting section continued to
accept the responsibility of registration and supervision of Daily Minders
and Playgroups until that time.
A full complement of District Midwives and District Nurses was
maintained. Recruitment to these services does not normally present
problems as the majority of the staff are recruited locally. A high
standard of nursing care again is evident.
Health Visiting recruitment presents a different picture. There
is a general national shortage of health visitors. Barking falls far
below the national average of health visitors employed, regrettably one
of the lowest figures in the country. This is an unhappy situation.
It is generally accepted that housing accommodation, car loan
purchase schemes with a low rate of interest and general practitioner
attachment are aids in recruitment, which at the moment Barking cannot
offer. As and when the Mayston structure is fully implemented, roles
are clearly defined, first line managers are in post to give support to
field staff and to feed back information to top management, then I have
confidence that with the other "aids" mentioned recruitment will
improve.
Health Visitor Students
The Borough is again sponsoring two student health visitors and this
is a further aid to recruitment.
During the past year Post Graduate courses, courses in management
and refresher courses have been made available to appropriate staff.
Resignations during the year include Miss C. Oldham, Chief Nursing
Officer and Mrs. C. Ledden Area Nursing Officer.
All the nursing staff should be commended for their work during
the past year with special reference to the health visitors who have
shouldered a high case load and responsibility.
STATISTICS
Midwifery Service
Deliveries attended by Domiciliary Midwives-1971
Doctor present at delivery 10
Doctor not present at delivery 234
Cases delivered in hospital and attended by
Domiciliary Midwives on discharge before
10th day 1803
28