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attracted to better paid posts in Social Service Departments and
many would-be recruits to Health Visiting decided to stay in the
Hospital Service.
(3) Prophylaxis
Figures are shown elsewhere and all were above the National
Average, but vaccination against Smallpox showed a lower figure
than usual, due to the change of policy by the Department of
Health and Social Security.
HOME NURSING
Mrs. M. O. Tierney, s.r.n., q.n.
The Home Nursing Service is now well known to the Family
Doctor, Hospitals and the General Public. Although a Night
Service is not yet provided, The Marie Curie Cancer Service is
utilised where necessary. Late evening visits are covered by staff
"on call."
The Establishment of Home Nursing Sisters on the staff
remained at 45 and there has been no difficulty in staff recruitment.
Training
All newly appointed Staff are required to take the National
District Nursing Certificate. During the year six Sisters and one
State Enrolled Nurse were successful in obtaining their certificate.
Attachment/Liaison with General Practitioner
The gradual abandonment of geographical areas of work in
favour of Attachment/Liaison of District Nurses to Family
Doctors is now being successfully implemented and six schemes
were started during the year. The potentialities of District
Nursing are now being fully realised and where facilities are
available, staff attend patients at the surgery.
Liaison with Hospitals
Arrangements have now been made for District Nurses to
visit some patients prior to discharge from the Lennard Geriatric
Unit of Farnborough Hospital.
Sisters from Orpington Hospital have accompanied District
Nursing Sisters on observation visits. Pupil Midwives, Student and
Pupil Nurses also continue to have visits arranged during their
training.
During the year, discussions were held with the Hospital
Teaching Staff regarding the G.N.C.'s revised syllabus for Student