Director of Nursing Report | 1962-1963

This report covers a period for the fiscal year 1962 to 1963. Many advances have been made in our services and I am happy to submit this report.

Weekly evaluation Clinics were continued which enabled the Rehabilitation Team to assess and treat 518 patients in addition to the in-patients at the Sunshine Camp.

The number of daily out-patients fluctuated, depending upon the season, staff and road conditions. This number ranged from 5 to 20 daily.

Transportation of patients, supplies, and staff to and from the Centre has maintained its usual pace, but the paving of the Thorbourn Road as certainly improved the situation considerably. The number of in-patients requiring transportation to the city for treatment has increased even more over the past year. At least 20 children go into St. John’s each week for Medical consultations, X-rays, blood work, brace fittings, and numerous other reasons. Each of the three vans average 100 miles per day.

There have been a few changes in the Nursing Staff this year. Miss Joan Duggan, R.N. left the province to be married and was replaced by Mrs. Margaret Snow, R.N. in October 1962. Mrs. Shirley Bartlett, R.N. resigned from the Staff in October 1962 and this position was filled by Mrs. Phyllis Davis, R.N.

Miss Jane Welsh, Nursing Assistant, resigned from the Staff in June 1962 and Miss Doris Chislett joined the Staff. Mrs. Matilda Martin resigned from the Centre in September and was replaced by Mrs. Florence Vincent. Miss Marie Hartery replaced Mrs. Audrey Tucker following her resignation in November 1962.

All have worked well to provide good Nursing Care for both in-patients and out-patients in the Centre. During the past month Mrs. Phyllis Davis has been attending a course in Rehabilitation Nursing at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in New York City.

The general health of the children has remained quite good throughout this year, and we have had surprisingly few contagious diseases. A few accidents have again occurred at the Centre which necessitated trips to St. John’s for x-rays. One child had to be admitted to the General Hospital for observation for 2 days, after which she returned again to the Centre.

The Immunization program has continued and this year we were able to add BCG to our list of routine services for the children in the Centre.

Routine Lab procedures and chest x-rays are still performed routinely on admission and I would like to thank especially the Laboratory Staff of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital who provide technicians weekly to come to the Centre to obtain blood specimens. This has certainly improved our coverage, and in addition has cut down on our transportation problems. Thanks also must go to the Laboratory and Out-Patient Staff of the General Hospital and T B Dispensary for the valuable service which they have provided.

Mrs. Edna Miller, Cook and her assistant Mr. Christine Tucker have again experienced a very busy year. The water shortage, absence, contamination, etc. has certainly not aided during their busy days of preparing 50,780 meals. They certainly deserve credit for providing such nutritious meals in such difficult surroundings.

Visitors to the Centre have increased and the Service organizations, as well as some private citizens, have continued to provide fellowship, movies, birthday cakes and gifts, Christmas parties and other Holiday celebrations which have added greatly to the enjoyment of the children. The Women’s Auxiliary, under the leadership of Mrs. William Crosbie, has continued with their many projects that have aided us in no small measure.

Student Nurses from the General Hospital and Grace Hospital have continued to attend the Centre for lectures and observation of Rehabilitation methods in conjunction with their studies in Community Health Agencies, Paediatrics and Orthopaedic Nursing. We are more than pleased to be able to offer this service to the Hospital Schools of Nursing.

The First Shriners Cub Pack under the leadership of Mr. George Peet, Cubmaster, has continued over the past year and now 36th. St. John’s Shriners Company for Girl Guides and Brownies has also been organized under the sponsorship of the Shriners Club of St. John’s. These mark real “red letter’ nights for the boys and girls.

The Cerebral Palsy Parents Group has continued to provide transportation for the Cubs under the leadership of Mr. Ray Tobin. We certainly say ‘thank you’ for a job well done.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

The Activities of Daily Living Department has continued to develop in the past year. Mrs. Irene Duffett, ADL Nurse, has provided a program that has added greatly in the total assessment and rehabilitation of our patients. An average of 25 patients, both in-patients and out-patients, are treated daily in this department, each treatment averaging about one half hour. During this year, eight wheelchairs have been given out on special prescription loan as well as eight special “C.P. Chairs”. Various other ‘self help’ devices have been given to patients whenever required.

In concluding this report, may I again tank all those who helped during our many problems over the past year. We can only hope, for the sake of the many children requiring Rehabilitation Services, that greater and better facilities will soon be available.