London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Tottenham 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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TABLE 7
| No. of visits paid by Health Visitors working in the Area:- | 1953 | 1952 |
|---|---|---|
| Expectant Mothers First Visits | 2,013 | 2,077 |
| Total Visits | 3, 278 | 3, 332 |
| Children under 1 year of age First Visits | 3, 227 | 3, 204 |
| Total Visits | 14,448 | 15,241 |
| Children age 1-2 Total Visits | 8,343 | 20, 804 |
| Children age 2-5 Total Visits | 14,522 | |
| Tuberculous households Total Visits | 3 | |
| Other cases Total Visits as Health Visitor | 4,478 | 4,010 |
| Total Visits as School Nurse | 1,326 | 3,417 |
Co-operation with General Medical Practitioners
The extent to which co-operation between general practitioners and health
visitors exists varies considerably but full co-operation can only be achieved
by goodwill on both sides. This is developing in this Area.
A circular letter and map showing the position of local clinics was sent
to each general practitioner giving the address and telephone number of the
health visitor of the district and the time that she is available to receive
calls,
Suggestions were also made as to the means by which health visitors can
assist general practitioners.
Discussions have also taken place at the liaison committee of the local
branch of the British Medical Association,
Co-operation with hospitals
There is excellent co-operation between the Area Health Department and
neighbouring hospitals and their personnel A health visitor regularly
attends the paediatric department of the Prince of Wales's Hospital and has
personal contacts with consultants and almoners so that there is free exchange
of information between the hospital and health visiting services Information
and enquiries are also received daily by telephone concerning patients
living in this Area from hospitals further afield and 248 written health
visitors reports were sent out to these and other bodies during the year.
Health Education
A very important part of the health vi si tor/school nurse's work is
teaching parentcraft and home-making to individuals in their own homes, at
welfare centres and schools.