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of the former Harrow Nursing Association, supplemented by the work of
new staff recruited either part-time or whole-time, most of them living
in their own homes. In addition, there was one of the two remaining
nurses of the former Pinner and Hatch End Nursing Association. For
some time after resuming responsibility for this service, the County
Council was not able to recruit additional staff who wished to live in.
Neither of the two Nurses' Homes then was full. The County Council
then decided that the Bessborough Road Nurses' Home should be closed ;
this step was taken on 31st August, 1951. Since that time, the service
has been mainained by staff, some living at the home at 93, Uppingham
Avenue, Stanmore (Superintendent, Miss J. L. Dodds. Tel. No. Wordsworth
2538) ; some part-time nurses who work mostly in the mornings,
and who are based on the Home, and some whole-time nurses who live
in their own homes and who work their own areas. In addition there are
two whole-time male nurses whose work is selective.
It has not up to this been possible to recruit to establishment.
Even if it were, the service could meet only part of the demand, as it
would need many more nurses to enable a 24-hour service to be provided.
As it is, there are many persons who are being looked after at home who
cannot be adequately helped. Some are suffering from chronic conditions
from which some are not to recover. Their great need is for some attention
at a particular time ; but no nursing service can guarantee that.
The help that is needed by so many of these is something which can be
given by someone less skilled than a trained nurse. The only other
member of the staff of the Health Department who might be able to help
is a Home Help. But just as what is required falls short of what a
nurse is needed for, so it is something which is beyond the range of what
a Home Help could be expected or be permitted to do. Members of the
voluntary associations with their training and experience could do this
work, but with to-day's changed conditions they are not available for
such work in the way they used to be.
2. Midwifery and Maternity Nursing.
The County Council as the local authority is responsible for the
domiciliary midwifery service of the district. At one time, there were
17 midwives on the health staff. The fall in the number of births and
the higher proportion of confinements which take place in hospitals have
reduced the number of home confinements to be attended by these
midwives, so that now not so many are necessary. At the end of the
year, the staff was 16 midwives living in various parts of the district,
who work under the supervision of the Non-medical Supervisor of Midwives
and the Senior Midwife, Mrs. Bromley, of 213, Exeter Road, South
Harrow (Tel. No. Pinner 5752).
3. Home Helps.
The County Council, as local health authority, provides domestic
helps for households where such help is required owing to the presence
of any person who is ill, lying-in, an expectant mother, mentally defective,
aged, or a child not over compulsory school age.
Helps are engaged full-time or part-time. They are paid by the