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42
TRAINING
Apart from the statutory requirement to give pupil midwives training, the
Council has arrangements for training other nursing staff for specific duties.
Nursery Nurses
There is an annual intake of young girls who have just left school for
a two-year course of practical and theoretical training in the care of children
from birth to seven years of age, leading to the examination for the Certificate
of the National Nursery Examination Board.
Practical training is given to these nursery students at six of the Council's
day nurseries which nave been approved by the Minister of Healtn for this purpose,
whilst formal theoretical study is undertaken at the North London College for
Further Education.
Thirty students received training during the year and nine secondyear
students taking the examination in 1967 were successful in obtaining the
certificate.
District Nurses
State registered nurses are accepted for training as district nurses and
receive theoretical and practical instruction based on tne syllabus of tne Queen's
Institute of District Nursing for a period of three or four months, depending on
the individual's professional nursing qualifications and experience.
During the three courses of training held in 1967 two sponsored students
were successful at their examinations, as was also a member of the nursing staff
of the Borough of Tower Hamlets for whom training facilities were made available
in this Borough. In addition, a course of training, again based on the syllabus
of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, was made available to state enrolled
nurses wishing to become trained in district work. One state enrolled
nurse employed in the Department successfully completed the course, as well as
three nurses seconded from St. Matthew's Hospital.
Health Visitors
Up to ten qualified nurses who have had midwifery or obstetric training
who are accepted by Colleges of Further Education to undertake a course in health
visitor training are sponsored by the Council for the duration of such a course.
The Course leading to the Health Visitor Certificate involves one year's
full-time study, including both theoretical and practical work and is based on
the syllabus of the Council for the Training of Health Visitors.
During the academic year 1966/1967 six students were sponsored, of whom
five were successful at the final examination, one having resigned meanwhile.
A further five students were sponsored for the academic year 1967/68.
Mental Health Staff
Mental health social workers and training centre, day centre and Special
care unit staff have attended short residential courses and day and part-day
release courses arranged by the London Boroughs' Training Committee and the
National Association for Mental Health.