View report page

Where the result of the screening tests are not satisfactory, children
may, after consultation with, or examination by, a Departmental
Medical Officer, be referred to the Audiology Clinic for specialist
diagnosis.
Mrs. Brown, the Superintendent Health Visitor, was awarded a
place by the London Boroughs Training Committee on the course in
Middle Management run by the King Edward VII Hospital Fund.
Geriatric Health Visiting
The numbers of elderly persons within the borough continue to
increase. A considerable portion of all Health Visitors' time is spent
in visiting this age group. The aims of all staff are to support the
elderly persons in their own homes for as long as it is possible to
do so.
One Health Visitor has continued to work part-time attached to
the team of the consultant geriatrician, based at St. George's Hospital,
Tooting. She has acted as a valuable link between hospital, general
practitioner and local staff. The volume of work within this field is so
great that plans are proceeding for a Health Visitor to undertake
geriatric health visiting as a full-time specialist. This service is developing
very well in association with Dr. Millard, who also acts as
part-time Consultant Geriatrician to the Local Authority.
Health Education
All Health Visitors undertake health education teaching in an
informal manner in every visit they pay to a home or in every consultation
they have in a clinic or surgery. The mothercraft classes,
at which psychoprophylaxis teaching is also given, are tremendously
successful, and the evening for expectant parents has been so popular
that it is now held monthly. Health teaching, particularly to young
adolescents, has also been requested by a number of schools. Classes
held have covered a wide range of health topics and have proved
popular and extremely valuable, allaying fears and correcting
misconceptions. It has not been possible this year, because of staff
shortage, to meet all the demands made, but it is hoped as more
supportive ancillary staff become available for other duties, to expand
in this field of work.
Summary of Work of Health Visitors
The following tables give details of the number of children and
other cases visited, and attendances by the Health Visitors at the
various clinics and centres:—