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26
THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICES
Miss A. Hayward, A.R.R.C., T.D., S.R.N., S.C.M., H.V.Cert.
Chief Nursing Officer
The year under review has again provided a challenge to the nursing
section. In keeping with progressive trends in domiciliary care attachment
of nursing teams to general practitioners has resulted in a better doctor/
nurse/patient relationship.
The number of staff working in Group Attachment schemes has increased
particularly in the Home Nursing Service where attachment is easier. An increasing
number of nurses are holding sessions in General Practice Surgeries,
treating patients they would otherwise have to visit.
During the year agreement was reached with Surrey County Council for
attached Nurses and Health Visitors to work either side of the Borough boundary
and in the north of the Borough a Health Visitor attached to a group of
Doctors in the London Borough of Lambeth crosses into Croydon.
Improved liaison with the medical and nursing staff of Mayday Hospital
has resulted in more planned early discharges to the Midwifery and Home
Nursing services and provided for a wider use of home nursing skills. A group
adviser in the Health Visiting service acting as a liaison officer with the
Paediatrician, Paediatric Ward Sister and Medical Social Worker has proved a
worth-while appointment.
Day Nursery Service
Each year there is a heavy demand for Nursery Nurse training and 1970
was no exception. Whitehorse Road Nursery has three work based students
each year and selecting them from the flood of worth-while applicants is a
difficult task.
Because of the increasing demand for Nursery Nurses, a College based
course of Nursery Nurse training was started by Croydon Technical College.
Hazelglen, the day nursery in Sanderstead, was approved for training
purposes and two College based students started practical training there in
October. For training purposes the Nursery is linked with a nearby Nursery
School. The nursery staff have found this an interesting and stimulating
experience.
This nursery operates in a delightful house full of nooks and crannies
that children love. It has adapted well to family grouping which was introduced
during 1970. The change from age grouping was made with relative
ease and when it had been in operation only a few weeks it was interesting
to note that a child who had a fall when playing in the garden went to her
own Nursery Nurse for comfort and ignored staff near her. This change has
provided useful experience for the new Day Nursery in Thornton Heath
which should open next year, and is purpose built for family grouping.