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LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
The British Red Cross Society continued to operate a scheme on behalf of the
Borough for the loan of standard items of nursing equipment. Until 1st April, 1971, the
Council paid the small loan charges in respect of patients in receipt of supplementary
benefit. Thereafter the procedure was simplified by the introduction of an annual grant
to the Society.
The Council own some special equipment including hoists, mechanical and electrically
operated beds, etc. These items were loaned free of charge to patients requiring
nursing care.
In April, 1971, the Council made available a store in the Waldegrave Road, Teddington
which has enabled the central storage of nursing equipment.
Alternate Pressure Pads.
Alternate Pressure Pads known as "Ripple Beds" and "Ripple Pads" are hired by
the Council for the use of certain patients. One hundred and six ripple beds and 5 ripple
chair cushions were hired for varying periods during the year.
INCONTINENT LAUNDRY SERVICE
A free incontinent laundry service is provided throughout the Borough. Sheets are
loaned to patients on the recommendations of the District Nursing Service as also are
night clothes, should these be considered necessary, and are laundered regularly. Normally
deliveries and collections are made twice weekly by Corporation van. The laundering
is undertaken by a local firm.
At the end of the year there were approximately 100 patients receiving this service.
Pads, waterproof pants with disposable linings are also provided. Incontinence
pads, instead of sheets, are used where appropriate, thus reducing the laundering of
soiled bed linen. These are normally distributed by the district nurses. Used pads are
collected and destroyed whenever disposal is requested.
TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE
Until 1st April, 1971, the service provided by Telephone Answering Services
Limited was used for emergency calls by the midwifery, mental health services and to
some extent by the home help service. Following the establishment of the Social Services
Department, this facility was used only by the midwives until the introduction of the
Night Nursing Service later in the year.
RADIO TELEPHONE SERVICE
Radio telephones continued to be used until 30th September, 1971, when the agreement
with Telephone Answering Services Ltd. was cancelled. This move followed various
difficulties which were being experienced in this Borough.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS
The assessment of medical fitness of new entrants to the Council's service continued
to make heavy demands.
A completed medical questionnaire and a satisfactory chest X-ray examination
undertaken within the last twelve months are required of each new entrant.
A full physical examination is carried out in any case of doubt, on all new entrants
to the teaching profession, all entrants to teacher training colleges and all drivers of heavy
goods and public service vehicles.
In addition, recommendations as to medical fitness to continue in the Council's
service were made following consultation with the family doctors and/or consultants
concerned, physical examinations, and personal interviews.
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