London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Tottenham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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76
HOME NURSING SERVICE
(Section 25)
The number of nurses employed in the Area at the end of the year was 19
full-time and 7 part-time, and again care of the aged sick made the greatest
demand on the service. The total number of visits paid by home nurses during
the year was 79286.
The treatment of cases during the year may be classified asfollows:-
Injections 1431
General nursing care 576
Blanket baths 354
Enemas 332
Dressings 324
Preparation for diagnositc
investigation 186
Pessaries changed 58
Wash-outs, douches, etc. 42
Attendance at minor operation 1
Other treatments 152
The sex and age of patients at the time of the nurse's first visit may be classified as follows:-
| Age | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 21 | 15 |
| 5-15 | 39 | 36 |
| 16-39 | 88 | 179 |
| 40-64 | 372 | 631 |
| 65 and over | 589 | 1203 |
| 1109 | 2064 |
Cases attended during the year were referred from the following sources:-
General Practitioners 2363
Hospitals 789
Chest Physicians 18
Public Health Department 3
The shortage of car transport must again be emphasised in that only 25% of
the nursing staff have any form of individual motorised transport, the remainder
being dependent on bicycles and public transport.
Co-operation with voluntary and other outside services has been well
maintained and in particular with the British Red Cross Society who deal with the
distribution of nursing equipment on loan, the W.V.S.,and the Old People's Welfare
Organisations who have assisted in the supply of clothing and bed linen in
approved cases.