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HEALTH VISITING SERVICE
The function of the health visitor is the prevention of mental, physical and emotional ill health
and its consequences. She is a practitioner in her own right, detecting cases of need on her own
initiative as well as acting upon referrals. Social problems of all kinds arise during the course of
home visiting. The health visitor needs to provide support during periods of stress within the family,
such support of necessity requiring much time and effort. This applies also to individuals Iiving
alone, especially the elderly.
In spite of the difficulties experienced in filling existing vacancies within the establishment
and the subsequent continual pressures on the staff, the many requests from students of differing
disciplines to observe the day to day work of health visitors are always fulfilled.
The actual number of visits made by health visitors this year was as shown in the following
table:-

Student Health Visitors
The two students who completed their one year's training in September, were successful in
obtaining the health visitors certificate. Unfortunately these two additional members of staff was
offset by the retirement of a health visitor and the resignation of another due to removal of residence
from London. Only one student commenced training in September, two other students, withdrawing
for personal reasons immediately before training commenced. Practical supervision and instruction
for three students was undertaken for students sponsored by other local authorities.
HOME NURSING SERVICE
The district nurse continued to give the specialised care for nursing in the home.
District nurse training continued in conjunction with Chiswick Polytechnic, three nurses
completing their training during the year.
The North Western Polytechnic started district nurse training in October, one nurse attending
this course. A practical nurse instructors' course was also initiated and attended by one senior
district nurse. All nurses were successful in obtaining the National Certificate for District Nurses.
One bath attendant attended a week's course at the London Borough of Newham's training centre.
Full time day or night nursing for terminal carcinoma patients was provided for 18 people by the
Marie Curie Memorial Foundation and Welfare Service for one person.
There is a steady rise in the number of people over 65 being nursed.