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27
The nurseries are indebted to the Chief Librarian for allowing them to
borrow books. Quite young children use these books and treat them with respect
and care. Members of Staff from the Children's Library visit the
nurseries for story telling sessions.
Another interesting venture was the provision of a Playroom at the AnteNatal
Clinic. Six sessions a week cater for children of mothers attending
this busy combined Hospital and Local Authority Clinic. The remaining four
sessions will provide play facilities for physically handicapped, mentally
handicapped and socially deprived children.
The group which is staffed by a Nursery Nurse and Nursery Assistant is
administered by the nearby Day Nursery Matron. It gives not only custodial
care forthe children during Ante-Natal Clinic sessions, but helps the parents
understand their children's needs. The Nursery Nurse has built up an excellent
relationship with the mothers and finds time to answer questions about behaviour
problems and give advice on suitable toys and their cost. The children
now cry when collected rather than when left with the nursery group.
Domiciliary Midwifery Service
The total number of Domiciliary births dropped by only a small number
this year and each midwife booked an average of 71.4 patients of whom 54.5
were delivered at home (see appendix page 101 ). Busy General Practitioner
Obstetricians enjoy the help of a midwife at their Ante-Natal sessions and
although many more would like this service their small number of bookings
makes it uneconomic from the midwife's point of view. No doubt health
centres will do much to ease this situation.
Home Nursing Service
A local survey of the day to day work of each home nurse was carried out
in 1969 and repeated for comparison in 1970. Although not intended for general
publication the results showed areas of work requiring further investigation
and possible change.
The survey suggested that 18% of the work being done by Registered and
Enrolled Nurses could be adequately carried out by a Nursing Auxiliary
working under the guidance and control of a Registered Home Nurse. During
1970 where appropriate and as Registered Nurses retired a Nursing Auxiliary
was appointed in her place. It is interesting to note that in September when it
was felt saturation point had been reached. Nursing Auxiliaries were in fact
18% of Registered/Enrolled Nurse Establishment.
As a result of the survey and experience gained during 1970, a new
approved establishment was agreed in October reducing the number of Registered
Nurses from 60 to 48 and increasing Enrolled Nurses from 3 to 12 and
Nursing Auxiliaries from 1 to 14. This new establishment gave an increased
number of staff at minimal cost and provided for an improved service.