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109
Unsuccessful Visits 10,910
Health Visitors—Full time equivalent 23.1
T.B. Visitors and T.B. Health Visitors—Full time
equivalent 6.0
Co-operation with Hospital Departments
The shortage of Medical Social Workers in local hospitals was
partly alleviated in 1967 but the liaison, which was established
during 1965 and 1966, continued although less actual hospital
visiting was required of the social workers.
Health Visitors continued to attend the Diabetic Clinics at
Greenwich District Hospital and the Paediatric Clinic at the
Memorial Hospital but, owing to staff shortages, attendance by
Health Visitors at one Ante Natal Clinic at St. Alfege's and the
Paediatric Clinics at the Miller Hospital were discontinued. It is
hoped to re-establish this link as soon as possible.
Problem Family Index
There are certain families who need more than the usual amount
of support in order to withstand the stresses of life. They are often
families with many children, perhaps several under five years of
age. Such families are indexed on a Problem Families file and are
visited frequently by Health Visitors who ensure that they are
advised on the best way to feed and clothe the family and provide
furniture without undertaking unrealistic hire purchase commitments.
Sometimes material assistance is also provided.
Other specialist help is called in when necessary and co-operation
between members of the Health and Welfare, Children's and
Housing Departments enables some of the families to be
rehabilitated and achieve normal standards of life.
During October, 1966, a special unit at 32 Charlton Road, S.E.3,
for the training and rehabilitation of "problem" families was
established. Here, social workers provide intensive help in an
endeavour to overcome the various difficulties leading to a family's
existing situation.
There were 176 families on the index at the end of the year
with a total of 236 children under five years. This index is under
constant review and is checked completely each year.
Health Visitors do a great deal of work with these families to
whom much material and sympathetic help is given.
Surveys
Measles—Information regarding those children and "controls"
who were subjects of the Medical Research Council's scheme with
regard to measles vaccination is still being submitted to that
organisation.