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10 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 establishment for Home
Nursing staff consists of the equivalent of 49 full-time
State Registered Nurses and State Enrolled Nurses and
includes two male nurses. There are also the equivalent
of three full-time nursing auxiliaries some of whom work
part-time and whose duties are assisting with the bathing
of the elderly frail in their own homes. This is of
invaluable assistance to the Home Nursing team. Patients
are referred to the department by general practitioners.
The type of work continues to range through short-term
care of acutely ill patients, post-operative dressings,
injections, regular care of the chronic sick and terminal
care. The Home Nursing Service works in collaboration
with two voluntary organisations. 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 authorised to
engage nurses for this work on behalf of the Foundation.
This is a most valuable service and during the last year
six patients were nursed in this way. Secondly, the
British Red Cross Society acts 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.
During 1971, the Home Nursing Service dealt with the
fol lowing:-
Total number of patients during year:- 2922
Total number of visits:- 120,519
The night nursing service still proves of great use by
extending the hours of the Home Nursing Service from
7 p.m. to 7 a.m. It works in the same way as the day
service and is a visiting rather than a sitting-in service.
The number of patients and visits made by the Night
Service during 1971 were:-
Number of patients 134
Number of visits made 4,233
New staff have continued to attend Chiswick Polytechnic
for District Nursing training and 2 were successful in the
examination. Refresher courses and practical work
instructor courses have also been attended by four
members of the staff, and proved beneficial.