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19
DISTRICT NURSING
Under Section 25 of the National Health Service Act 1946, it is the duty of every local health
authority to provide nurses for persons who require nursing in their own homes. The establishment of nurses
is 49 plus 2 State Enrolled nurses. Under the recommendations of the Department of Health & Social Security
for the Management Structure in Local Authority nursing services, 3 Nursing officers were appointed in April
1972 and recruited from within the service.
The nurses work in close liaison with general practitioners, hospitals and social services. They also
assist in the training programme of student and pupil nurses from hospitals by introducing them to community
care and accompanying them on visits into patients' homes.
Seven part-time bathing attendants are employed. They work under the supervision of the nurses and
receive in-service training to enable them to work with nurses in small teams and obtain greater job satisfaction.
Two thousand seven hundred and twenty-three new patients were referred during the year and the
nurses paid a total of 111,656 visits to all patients. Six thousand and sixty-four visits were paid by bathing
attendants. At the end of the year, 1,147 cases were on the register.
General Practitioner Attachments
One new liaison was started during the year, making a total of 17 attachments and 2 liaison operating
in the Borough. The schemes work well for patients, nurses and doctors. One thousand and two treatments
were given in general practitioners surgeries under the schemes.
Post Certificate Training and Refresher Courses
Courses for nurses are arranged to extend and widen the depth of knowledge already obtained in
their basic training and are held at Chiswick Polytechnic. Royal College of Nursing, London Boroughs Training
Committee and within the Borough.
In November 1972 arrangements were made between the Borough and Chiswick Polytechnic for the
commencement of a Management Appreciation Course for Fieldworkers in the nursing services to be held at
Craven Park Health Centre. This project was unique in its entirety as previously all management courses were
specifically organised by Polytechnic Colleges and held on the college premises.
The format of the course covered half day a week for a period of 11 weeks.
Course tutors visited the Borough and gave lectures and tuition at the Health Centre.
Since the commencement of this project other Boroughs have shown considerable interest in this field.
Courses Attended by Nursing Staff
No. Attended
First Line Management Appreciation Course for Senior Nurses 4
District training for State Registered Nurses 2
Day release courses at London Borough T.C. and hospitals 11
Diploma in nursing studies (R.C.N.) 1
First Line Management Appreciation Courses for Fieldworkers 8
Disposable Equipment
The range of pre-sterilised and disposable equipment has been extended, thus facilitating the nurse#'
work and giving greater safety to patients.
Marie Curie Memorial Foundation
During the year, night nurses were provided for 15 terminal cases of carcinoma. Thirty ripple beds
were also provided by a medical equipment firm paid for by the Foundation thus ensuring that maximum care
was obtained for these patients who chose to be nursed at home. The Council made a grant of £290 to the
Foundation, this is half of what Marie Curie Foundation spends on the Borough in a year.
2,723 new cases Jan. - Dec. 1972
111,656 total visits Jan.-Dec. 1972
1,147 on register at end of year
Marie Curie Night Nurses 15
Ripple beds 30
Surgery Treatments 1,702
Bathing Attendants 6,064 visits
G.P. Attachments 17 plus 2 liaisons
Training Courses 4 S/Nurses First Line Management
1 S/Nurse Management Appreciation—2 weeks
2 S/Nurses S.R.N. District Training
8 Nurses Management Appreciation—Craven Park
11 Nurses Study Days
1 Nurse Diploma Course