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makes follow-up visits to patients, consequently relieving the general practitioner of a number
of visits. The scheme has been favourably accepted and the role of the district nurse has been
more clearly defined to general practitioners and the public generally.
ANCILLARY STAFF
The recruitment of 3 nursing auxiliaries to our establishment has been an essential
contribution in relieving district nurses in bathing duties. On appointment a period of
in-service training is given to the auxiliaries who work under close supervision by the trained
staff, who make periodic visits to the patients being attended. Recently, there has been a
noticeable increase in demand for this service by hospitals and general practitioners.
TRAINING
All newly joined staff are required to take a course conducted by the Kent County
Council and obtain the National District Nursing Certificate. During the year, 7 district
nurses were successful and awarded the certificate. The Kent County Council Refresher
Course for district nurses was attended by most of the staff. Arrangements were also made for
staff to attend various day courses and conferences. During the year, 2 senior members of the
staff have attended management courses arranged by Thames Polytechnic and Royal College
of Nursing.
HOSPITAL LIAISON
Liaison between hospitals and Local Authority nursing staff has been improved. District
nursing sisters are now invited to hospital sisters' study days and this is much appreciated.
Sisters from the Bromley Hospital Group have also accompanied district nurses on observation
visits. Since the introduction of a revised training syllabus for student nurses, 12 students from
Orpington and Farnborough Hospitals have had the community care experience. This has
obviously been of great assistance to the student in her understanding of the work carried out
in the community and services that are available to patients on discharge from hospital.
We were invited to participate in the local Hospitals Careers Week, held at Farnborough.
A stand was provided for the Local Authority and manned by our nursing staff.
MARIE CURIE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The night nursing service for terminal carcinoma cases has again proved to be of great
benefit.
STATISTICS
During the year 4,428 persons were nursed. This represented an increase when compared
with the previous year of 1,157. The number of visits to patients totalled 84,182 i.e. 5,679
more than in 1971.
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