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23.2.2 It was intended that through this scheme a closer working relationship between
the nurse and the doctor would be established. It would also facilitate the exchange of
reports on patients and would save the doctor's time by letting the nurse accept such
work as could be delegated to her. This pilot scheme worked satisfactorily and the
numbers of patients treated by the nurse at home and in the surgery are both steadily
increasing.
STATISTICS
23.3 There was an increase in the number of patients nursed at home: 2,944 in 1968
compared with 2,530 in 1967. Although proportionately the greatest increase was in the
number of patients under five years old (109 as against 48) the most significant increase
was that of the patients nursed who were over 65: 1,996 such patients (67.8 per cent, of
the total) were nursed in 1968, compared with 1,620 (64 per cent, of the total) in 1967.
This is possibly an indication of the increasing proportion of elderly people in the
community and the consequent need to devote a larger portion of the available services
to this age group. Another indication of the increasing service provided is shown in the
total of 101,115 visits (including group attachment visits) made during 1968. as against
92,575 visits made in 1967.
POST-CERTIFICATE TRAINING
23.4 Nine home nurses attended refresher courses during 1967 and thirteen in 1968.
Twelve and eight received district training in the respective years. In 1967, 271 hospital
student nurses accompanied home nurses on the district in order to obtain first hand
knowledge of the home nurses' work; the comparable figure for 1968 was 207.
RENAL DIALYSIS IN THE HOME
23.5 The Council agreed to arrange, under Section 28 of the National Health Service
Act, 1946, for the adaptation of any dwelling and/or the provision of additional facilities
which might be necessary for installing equipment for renal dialysis for use of a person
suffering from illness. The Council also decided that no charge should be made for this
service. At the end of 1968, three such patients were known to be living in Camden, and
the Borough had paid adaptation costs in respect of the horie of one of them. An application
to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for authority to make an ex-gratia
payment to one of the other patients, who had already had adaptations carried out at his
own expense, was approved and reimbursement made. The cost of the adaptations in
these two cases were respectively £361 and £78 - somewhat at variance with figures in
the neighbourhood of £180 quoted in official guidance on the subject.
23.6 Miss B. Newman-Pilkington is Superintendent of Midwives and Home Nurses.
She tackles her commitment against the background of wide social interest and
experience.