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HOME NURSING SERVICE
Although recruitment of staff continued difficult, certain developments occurred
which made for more effective use of staff time as described in subsequent paragraphs. This
encouraged thought to be given to the possibility of the Municipal Home Nurses taking over
areas in the north of the Borough, at present covered by nurses from the Lady Rayleigh
Training Home, Leytonstone.
As a result, preliminary and informal talks with the County Medical Officer of Essex
took place. It was hoped that a gradual 'take-over' could be planned, The discussions
continue in a friendly and helpful atmosphere.
Encouraging Developments
1. Appointment of a clerk to the Home Nursing Centre - A small number of patients come
for their treatment to the Centre in Liverpool Road. A nurse had stayed in from the district
so as to attend to these patients and also to carry out clerical duties such as answering
the telephone and assisting the Superintendent with the recording of statistics.
Towards the end of 1959 a part-time clerk was appointed. Treatments were given
during set periods twice a day and at other times there was no longer any need for a nurse
to leave her district and remain in the Centre.
2. Car and Moped Allowances - In order to maintain the service during the severe staff
shortages in 1958, one nurse who owned a car was allowed a "casual users" allowance over a
three months period. This was extended throughout 1959 and the results were so helpful and
successful, that it was agreed that car and moped allowances should be granted to all nurses,
the scheme to commence in April, 1960. Nurses could also obtain a loan to help with the
purchase of cars. Improved bicycle allowances were included in the arrangement.
3. Uniform for Part-time Staff- Part-time nurses had so far received a monetary
allowance based on hours of work, and this resulted in uniform of varying design, colour
and quality being worn. In an effort to ensure that all the Municipal Home Nurses looked
uniformly neat and tidt and able to take a pride in their appearance, it was decided to
discontinue the allowance and instead to provide a navy blue outdoor uniform with a delphinium
blue indoor dress. This new arrangement was much appreciated by the nurses.
Staffing
Situation December 3rd. 1959
Superintendent 1 (who is also Non Medical Supervisor of Midwives)
Whole-time Nurses 2 S.R.N. Queenfs District Trained
1 Male S.E.A.N.
Part-time Nurses 1 S.R.N. Queen's District Trained
6 S.R.N.
7 S.E.A.N.
Student District 1 training at Lady Rayleigh Training Home
Nurses
Changes
Resignations 1 S.R.N. Queen's District Trained
2 S.E.A.N. Part-time
Appointment 1 S.R.N. Whole-time. Later sponsored for training
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