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DISTRICT NURSING
On the appointed day the department took over all the Kent County Council District Nurses
operating in the area of the new Borough. The establishment of nurses has fluctuated as the following
table shows. The number of patients treated each year is also shown.
No. of District Nurses
No. of Patients
1965
34
2013
1966
35
2560
1967
30
2657
1968
33
2227
1969
33
2426
In December 1968 in order to enable the District Nurses to concentrate on activities requiring
their special skills. Home Bathing Attendants were appointed. These persons undertake the routine
bathing of chronic sick or elderly patients who do not require the special skill of the nurse. They
work under the supervision of theNurse in charge of the patient.
The number of baths given by the Bathing Attendants each year is as follows
1968
274
1969
6710
Recently (1969) the Council has agreed to the employment of eight Nursing Auxiliaries. These
are unqualified persons with an interest in simple nursing who must undergo training in elementary
nursing procedures before undertaking the care of patients in their own homes and always under
the direction and supervision of a qualified nurse. It is hoped to combine the duties of Bathing
Attendants referred to above with those of the proposed Nursing Auxiliaries and the present
Bathing Attendants will be eligible to transfer and undergo training.
The District Nurses also play an important role in the provision of nursing aids to the sick and
physically handicapped and carry out preliminary investigations as to need and suitability of the
aids requested and instruct in the use of the aid where necessary.
INCONTINENCE PADS AND MEANS OF DISPOSAL
One of the major problems in nursing the elderly or chronic sick at home arises when the
patient is incontinent. To assist when this situation exists incontinence pads are issued, free of
charge, by the department through the District Nurses.
The number of pads issued each year since 1965 is given in the following table
No. of pads issued
1965
19,200
1966
37,700
1967
35,427
1968
47,500
1969
35,000
Disposal of soiled pads is by burning or where this is not convenient, the department supplies,
free of charge, waterproof bags which enable the soiled pads to be removed hygienically with the
domestic refuse.
The demand for waterproof bags had been very small so far.
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