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9. HOME NURSING
This service is provided under Section 25 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, for sick and
aged persons living in their own homes. The Council's Home Nursing staff consists of 46 nurses,
including 2 male nurses.
Patients are almost entirely referred to the department either from hospitals (70%) or general
practitioners (20%). The type of work ranges through short-term care of acutely ill patients, postoperative
dressings and injections, the regular care of the aged and chronic sick, and finally to
terminal care.
The Home Nursing Service works in collaboration with two voluntary organizations. Firstly, the
Council acts as the local agent for the Marie Curie Foundation, which provides without charge, day
and night assistance to patients with terminal cancer. I am authorized to engage nurses for this work
on behalf of the Foundation. This is a most valuable service, and during the year 17 patients were
nursed in this way.
Secondly, the British Red Cross Society act as the Council's agent under Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act, for the loan of nursing equipment. A small charge is made to the patient to
cover replacement of equipment as required, but if this is unable to be met, the charge is paid by the
Council. The Health Department arranges for the transport of heavy equipment. There were 3,452
articles loaned to patients during the year.
The night nursing service inaugurated in the previous year has proved to be of great use by
extending the hours of the home nursing service. Terminal patients can now receive additional care
late at night or in the early morning and elderly, invalid people can be got ready to go to day centres
or hospitals without haste in the mornings and can be put back to bed at a more normal hour in the
evenings.
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