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Student Nurses, Pupil Nurses and Pupil Midwives accompany
District Nurses on their domiciliary visits.
The District Nursing Service was helped considerably by the
generous help of the staff of St. Christopher's Hospice, and the
staff of the local branches of the British Red Cross Association.
Statistics
During the year 2,827 persons were nursed, representing a
continuing decrease over the previous year (3,192). The total
number of visits to patients was 99,624, an increase in average
attendance over the previous year of 0.5 to 31.2.
HEALTH VISITING
Miss B. N. Chandler, s.r.n., s.c.m., h.v.cert.
Dip.Soc.Studies (Lond.)
Establishment
The establishment of Health Visitors has been increased by
five this year, although at no time has it been up to strength.
One Health Visitor left for further training in church work, one to
take another post, and three for domestic reasons. Four sponsored
Student Health Visitors gained their certificates, but one did not
take up her position due to domestic problems. Two full-time
staff have been appointed and one retired but returned to work
part-time. At the end of the year the staff in post were 41 fulltime
equivalent. It is hoped that by increasing the number
of students the staff situation will be improved in the coming year.
Training
Four sponsored Students commenced training in September
and the five Fieldwork Instructors are assisting in the practical
training of seven students from other areas. 149 Nurses from the
local hospitals, 42 Pupil Midwives, and 14 Students, including
Post-Graduate visitors from overseas, have been given an insight
into the work of the Community Health Services in the Borough.
Health Visitors once more had the opportunity of participating in
In-Service Training with the Kent County Council Health Visitors.
Four went on a fortnight's Refresher Course and two more
Fieldwork Instructors were trained.
Home Visits
27,000 effective home visits were paid of which 22,400 were
to mothers with children under five years, and 600 were to persons
over 65 years of age.
97 home visits were paid to households where one of the