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12
Liaison
The Health Visitors are frequently in contact with Medical Social Workers in hospitals in the area,
and much valuable work is done in this field.
Because of geographical difficulties and the large number of general practitioners in the Borough,
specific attachment of Health Visitors to group practices is not practicable, but a close co-operation with
general practitioners is actively pursued.
There is, however, an arrangement made whereby one Health Visitor attends the surgery of a group
practice weekly, in order to effect the closest liaison possible. It is hoped to extend this scheme in the near
future to include two more group practices.
Refresher Course
One Health Visitor attended a residential course at Hoddesdon, Herts.

DISTRICT NURSING
Under Section 25 of the National Health Service Act 1946, it is the duty of every health authority
to provide nurses for persons who require nursing in their own homes. The full establishment of nurses
(47) was maintained during the year; two state enrolled nurses were appointed to work in the Willesden
area. The nurses work in close liaison with general practitioners to ensure comprehensive nursing care
for patients.
2,678 new patients were referred during the year, and the nurses paid a total number of 138,208
visits to all patients. 1,288 of these visits were more than one hour's duration. At the end of the year, 1,075
cases were on the register.
General Practitioner Attachment
There are now four district nursing sisters attached to group practices. The scheme works well to
the benefit of the patient and to the satisfaction of the doctors and nurses.
Disposable Equipment
Sterilised disposable syringes and pre-sterilised swabs are now used for all injections except Insulin.
The provision of these syringes results in a more efficient service as they obviate the necessity of sterilising
by boiling in the patients' homes where, in some cases, it was impossible to obtain even the minimum equipment.
Training Courses
Three nurses attended the District Nurse Training Course at Chiswick Polytechnic. They were all
successful and obtained the National Certificate of the Ministry of Health.
Marie Curie Memorial Foundation
Help is given from this Foundation to terminal cases of carcinoma nursed at home. Night Nurses were
provided for three patients during the year thus enabling relatives to have some rest through the most difficult and
trying periods. One patient was provided with a day nurse. Several patients were provided with extra nourishment
and special invalid food. Sheets were also provided for a number of needy cases. Two Marie Curie nurses
were appointed during the year but both resigned for domestic reasons. Nurses from a Nursing Agency were used
when required.
INCONTINENCE PADS
The Minister of Health in Circular 14/66 of the 18th August, commended the provision of incontinence
pads to an extent which ensured that they were made available for all those to whom they could be
of benefit. The Council considered the Circular and accepted the Minister's commendation. Prior to this,
the pads had only been supplied, free of charge, to patients who were incontinent and being nursed at home.
The types of cases affected by this decision are old people who are incontinent by day but not confined
to bed, those who are incontinent at night but not confined to bed during the day, physically handicapped
and mentally sub-normal who are incontinent.