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37
complete their training with the Borough Council's midwives. This scheme
will commence in March 1968.
Group Attachment to General Practitioners
Two further liaison arrangements by midwives with groups of general
practitioners were started during the year, making a total of three altogether.
These arrangements are proving very satisfactory from the point of view of both
patients and staff.
HOME NURSING
At the end of December 1967 the staff of the home nursing service
consisted of the superintendent and her deputy, who also acted as non-medical
supervisors of the midwifery service, 19 full time and 13 part time home nurses,
3 full time persons who shared their time between the home nursing and midwifery
services, and 2 full time and 2 part time nursing auxiliaries.
The services of the district nurses were made available at the
request of general practitioners, evening calls being covered by a rota of
nurses.
Altogether 2184 persons were nursed during 1967, involving a total of
84,840 visits. Details are shown in the table overleaf.
Nursing Auxiliaries
Nursing auxiliaries, who were first appointed last year, have now
become well integrated in the nursing structure and are proving to be very
helpful, particularly in the care of the aged who do not require continual
skilled nursing care.
Instruction in procedures is given by the senior nursing staff.
The Younger Chronic Sick being Nursed at Home
The district nurses are spending a considerable proportion of their
time giving skilled nursing to help these patients to remain in their own homes.
The staff are trained to be aware of the stresses which so often occur in the
families, particularly those who are coping with long term illness. A very close
liaison must be maintained with the social welfare officer who is also visiting
the patient so that the utmost support can be given to the relatives as well as
nursing care to the patient, throughout their difficulties, and to maintain their
independence within the community.