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will therefore be rapid and with the general shortage of Health
Visitors the future i uncertain. Despite the employment of
ancillary staff, there are many duties which only the health
visitor can carry out successfully.
SECTION 25
HOME NURSING
Home Nursing
Details of the work undertaken during 1967 by the Home
Nurses are as follows: —
Total patients nursed — 2,900
Aged under 5 years — 46
Aged over 65 years — 1,848
Others 1,006
Miss M. A. Potter, Superintendent of Midwives and District
Nurses reports as follows on the Home Nursing Service:-
Hypothermia Survey
The year commenced with a pilot survey into the incidence
of hypothermia in the elderly. Visiting took place in January,
February and March- Twenty people were selected at random
each month and visited daily for one calendar month.
Body temperatures, using a low reading thermometer and the
current and minimum temperatures of the living room and bedroom,
were recorded. A questionnaire was completed for each
person.
Dr. Shaw, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, who conducted
the survey, submitted an Interesting written report on the
findings of the survey.
Group Practice Attachment
Two district nurses are attached to "Group Practice
Doctors". The larger group in Woodford consists of five doctors
and the second group inIlford of three doctors.
After the nurses became attached meetings took place
between the doctors in the group practices, the Principal
Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Health Service and the
Superintendent of District Nurses.
Both nurses have reported that their work has become more
interesting and are enjoying the liaison with the doctors In
their groups.