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111
I applied for information on this point, expressed the opinion that
while voluntary lady workers for social work wei'e not wanting, yet
this work would probably require more previous training than one
can reasonably expect in volunteers, and the control over such
workers must necessarily be less complete than if they were paid
workers of the Borough.
These are, of course, the objections to volunteer workers. The
qualifications required in a health visitor are not such as one could
expect in a volunteer, unless the work was taken up for a short
time for the purpose of ultimately qualifying for health visitor.
Again, the voluntary worker could not well be criticised as to the
time and results of her visits, and the time given to such work would
only be part time. It may be said that the control over the worker,
and the supervision of her work, would be much less complete than
in the case of the paid worker, and the hours of work would also
be less.
If the introduction of health visitors is to be successful, it will
depend to a large extent upon the first visitor appointed. Untrained
voluntary workers would probably misrepresent the object the
Borough had in view, and irreparable harm might be done to the cause.
I am of opinion that, in order to ensure success in the object in
view, it is necessary that the workers shall be properly qualified and
also properly paid.
In conclusion, I should like to express my personal view that
there is ample room, and great need, for one or more health visitors
in certain parts of Hackney, and that if the Borough Council
appointed such officers, the results would, in my opinion, fully
justify and repay the cost involved in their appointment.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Hackney,
6th April, 1905.