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a. The National Survey of Health and Development
The organisers attempted to maintain postal contact with the young people in this Survey
and only when postal enquiries remained unanswered were health visitors asked to visit.
Consequently the seven interviews which health visitors were asked to undertake were
more difficult ones and, in some cases, several visits were made in attempting to complete
the questionnaires.
b. Downview and Banstead Hospitals — Mother and Baby Unit Follow-up
This was the third year of the 10-year Survey into the long-term results of the work of
the Hospital's Mother and Baby Unit which provided treatment for mothers who had had
schizophrenic illnesses after childbirth. Health visitors completed questionnaires for
four mothers and for each member of their families. They also selected a suitable control
family for each case. The control family lived in similar accommodation in the same
area with the same number of children, and was of the same social status as the patient's
family. Questionnaires were completed for the members of each control family.
c. Survey of Childhood Cancers
Co-operation continued with the Department of Social Medicine of Oxford University in
its investigation into fatal diseases of childhood in an attempt to discover their causes.
In 1966 health visitors called on two mothers to obtain their consent to interviews by a
medical officer. In the first case the child had died, whilst in the second the mother had
a healthy "Control" child of the same age and sex.
d. Measles Vaccination Follow-up
In 1966 the Medical Research Council conducted a postal follow-up of the children
vaccinated against measles in the Autumn of 1964, and of children in the "Control"
group; and health visitors were asked to visit a sample of those parents who failed to
return forms. About 85% of parents completed forms sent out by post, and health visitors
followed up 12 children whose parents failed to return forms.
Home Nursing & Home Help Service, (National Health Service Act, 1946 — Section 25)
The Home Nurses and the Home Help Service worked in close co-operation with general
practitioners to relieve pressure on hospital beds by enabling persons to be looked after in their
own homes.
Home Nursing
The work of the Home Nurses during the year has proceeded' without any serious increase
of patients due to epidemic illnesses, and 106,567 visits were made (110,615). As in previous
years, much time is spent among the aged, many of whom are entirely bedridden and need prolonged
care.
Present-day rehabilitation teaching has helped many patients to become a little more
independent, and encouraged their limited ability to help themselves. Disposable equipment is
being made available to the nursing staff, thus making it possible to give a more efficient and
satisfactory service.
8 Student district nurses have received district training and have successfully passed
the examination.
Home Bathing
Since 1953 there has been a home-bathing service in the area of the former Metropolitan
Borough of Fulham. Home bathers visit elderly housebound persons who are infirm but not ill,
and carry out simple pedicures/manicures/hair washes and bathe them, thus relieving pressure
on the home nurses. From 1 April this service was extended to the Northern part of the Borough.
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