London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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In this connection it is necessary to consider the number of staff employed in each grade. The following table shows the proportion of trained to untrained staff at a London County Council Fever Hospital, Manchester Fever Hospital and the Willesden Municipal Hospital:—
| Hospital. | Total Nursing Staff. | Number of trained Staff. | Number of untrained Staff. | Percentage of trained to untrained Staff. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trained. | Untrained. | ||||
| L.C.C. | 210 | 106 | 104 | 50.5 | 49.5 |
| Manchester | 152 | 70 | 82 | 46.0 | 54.0 |
| Willesden | 60 | 21 | 39 | 35.0 | 65.0 |
It will be observed that the number of trained staff at the Willesden Municipal Hospital is
proportionately less than in London or Manchester. This deficiency of trained staff means that
probationer nurses are called upon to undertake duties which ought to be carried out by more
experienced persons. It is highly desirable that the proportion of trained to untrained staff should be
increased to approximately 45-55.
The approximate increase of staff required on the present establishment to institute a 48-hour week is shown as follows:—
| Rank. | Number. | Hours per week. | Total hours per week | Extra Staff required. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day. | Night. | Day. | Night. | |||
| Sisters | 8 | 1 | 55 | 60 | 500 | 1 |
| 9 | 1 | 48 | 48 | 480 | ||
| Staff Nurses | 11 | 1 | 58 | 60 | 698 | 3 |
| 13 | 2 | 48 | 48 | 720 | ||
| Probationer Nurses | 24 | 15 | 56 | 60 | 2,244 | 8 |
| 28 | 19 | 48 | 48 | 2,256 | ||
The extra staff required, therefore, can be estimated at 12 and in order that the proportion
may be correct it is suggested that the total staff for a 48 hours' week should be:—
Sisters 11
Staff Nurses 21
Probationer Nurses 40
(2) Salaries.
The following are the salary scales of the Nursing Staff at the Municipal Hospital:—
Senior Sister and Sister Tutor £110 by £10 to £140.
Night Superintendent £105 by £5 to £120.
Sisters £85 by £5 to £100. (After 8 years' service by £5
to £110.)
Staff Nurses £65 by £5 to £75. (Plus £5 extra if both General and
Fever trained.)
Probationer Nurses £37 by £2 to £39.
Under present conditions it is almost impossible to get the proper complement of probationer
nurses and from time to time there is difficulty in getting senior staff.
(3) Accommodation in Nurses' Home.
Total number of beds 56
Existing Establishment of Nursing Staff 60
Establishment required for 48-hour week 72
At the present time 4 members of the existing establishment of nurses live out.
(4) Living Out or Living In.
The age at which probationer nurses are accepted for fever training is 18. Some girls start even
younger. Practically no candidates from the London area apply. The largest number come from
Wales and Ireland with a smaller proportion from the Provinces and Scotland. Living-in
accommodation should be provided for all probationer nurses and a certain proportion of the sisters
and staff nurses.
A short time ago, owing to insufficient accommodation, the Sisters and Staff Nurses were requested
to indicate whether they desired to live out. Four out of a total of 21 have asked for permission to do
so. Two of these had arranged to live with their sisters and the other two with friends. The remainder
preferred to live in.