Developments in Community Nursing Within Primary Health Care Teams - Part III Report of the Survey Addresses to Chief Nursing Officers

This is the report of a survey addressed to Chief Nursin~ Officers of all District Health Authorities in England in which they were asked to indicate :-

Any developrrent either within thcir district or elsewhere which they felt they ought to draw to our attention.

Any developrrents which they felt were particularly worth implementing at least on an experirrental basis.

Oevoloprrents whether implemented or not which they feel it ought to be the subject of research.

A similar approach was also made to Regional Nursing, Officers of all Regions in England.

The questionnaires were sent to these officers in August 1982 (with a reminder in November 1982 to Chief Nursing Officers of Districts).

Replies were received to some or all of our questions from 143 districts and 3 regions. Respondents from a further 18 districts and 8 regions reported that they had no information to offer at this time on any of the questions we raised about developments. Refusals here received from

14 districts and no response was obtained from 19 districts and 3 regions.

Detailed results from the survey under headings A. Band C above are provided in the corresponding Appendices A. Band C to this report.

A wide variety of developments was described, thc most frequently mentioned being the provision of night and evening nursing services.

Those concerned with the work of district nurses and the elderly support services for community nurses in the care of the dying, nurses' special functions whether specialist or liaison nurses, and in a sphere of child care and surveillance.

Among suggestions for future developrrents, those most commonly mentioned related to the extension of district nursing hours to cover evenings or nights. developrront of appropriate records/information systems. and joint schemes with social services.