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36
Co-ordination of Services
The co-operation between workers at all levels has been
strengthened, and by co-ordinating both statutory and voluntary
services for the benefit of the public in the Borough, the Health
Visitor is being increasingly used as the liaison worker in bringing
the: appropriate services to the individual or family unit.
HOME NURSING
Mrs. .(. Symington, s.r.n., s.c.m., d.d.n.
Superintendent, Home Nursing Service
Under Section 25 of the National Health Service Act, 1946.
it is the duty of every Local Health Authority to make provision
in their area for securing the attendance of nurses on persons
who require nursing in their own homes.
The Home Nursing establishment is 41 full-time nurses, plus
3 Home Nurse/Midwives. During the year there were 4 retirements,
these positions being filled within a reasonable time. Sickness
among the staff has been considerable, but loyalty of their
colleagues pulling together enabled the service to be maintained.
The pattern of nursing is changing, demand for the nursing
of aged and Geriatric cases has increased, and these, coupled with
terminal patients, make a heavy call upon the service.
The number of patients attended during the year was 3,284,
of which 1,297 were over 65 years of age. A total of 111.888 visits
was made during 1967.
Courses for District Nurses
Since the last report, the Diploma of District Nursing has
been awarded to nine District Nurses. A further five nurses have
recently taken the examination, the results of which are awaited.
Marie Curie Foundation Fund
This service, which deals with cases of terminal carcinoma,
is complementary to that already rendered by the District Nurses.
Full use has been made of the night attendances these patients
so desperately need, enabling them to stay in their own homes.
Attachments
In this field, discussions are in hand to provide a pilot scheme
whereby General Practitioners are able to have a District Nurse
attached to their Group practice, but the present financial
stringency and shortage of staff will delay its implementation.