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36
In order to assess the proportion of time used in each of
these varying activities and to show their diversity, a very full
and comprehensive survey of the work of the health visitor was
undertaken during September and October throughout the London area.
This research on behalf of the London Boroughs' Training Council
was undertaken by the Greater London Council's Research and
Intelligence Unit. After very careful briefing meetings, eight
health visitors in this borough undertook for two weeks to list and
itemise every activity of their working day. The report of these
findings to be published early in 1970 should be of value in the
future use and planning of the health visitor service.
The challenge of varied experience provided in this borough
continues to attract health visitors of a high calibre and the
staffing position has been maintained.
Six students were sponsored for health visitor training and
upon successfully gaining their final certificates took up
permanent positions on the staff.
Training facilities were again given for ten health visitor
students from the Royal College of Nursing, The North Western
Polytechnic, Chiswick Polytechnic and the University of Surrey, to
gain practical experience with a fieldwork instructor.
The attachment of health visitors to general practitioners
has continued, and in some practices the domiciliary midwife and
district nurse complete the team. Development of these attachments
is necessarily slow as few doctors are as yet working in group
practices. At present, three health visitors are working full-time
in three group practices with eleven general practitioners; while
three are working part-time in a further three practices with five
general practitioners. This method of working provides added
interest and variety for all members of the practice and although
the actual number of home visits may be reduced, their value is
enhanced.
Health visitors continue to teach in the schools of nursing
at St. Charles and St. Stephen's Hospitals on the community
aspects of health and disease and the preventive and social care
available outside the hospital.