View report page

47
The number of "attachments" of Health Visitors to General Practitioners
increased from two to seven; eleven district nurses were "attached" by the end
of the year.
Liaison arrangements with hospitals were developed and expanded,
particularly in paediatrics.
HEALTH VISITING
Fourteen students sponsored by the Borough successfully completed the
course, and joined the staff in September. Although the ratio of staff to
population was improved this was due to a decline in population rather than an
increase in the numbers of Health Visitors. Recruitment improved, but this
only kept pace with the numbers leaving. The chief reason for resignations was
husbands obtaining posts outside London.
An increased amount of time was spent on Health Education, and on
visits to the elderly.
During the year 5,643 visits to Centres were recorded, outside clinic
session times. These were made by individuals seeking help and advice on
a wide variety of problems. The average time spent with each of these callers
was 37.5 minutes. Records were specially kept in order to have a picture of
work not normally recorded for statistical purposes.
The two evening clinic sessions held weekly proved to meet a need and
plans were made during the year for a further two sessions in other parts of
the Borough. These sessions are primarily Child Health Sessions, but also
attract a number of mothers seeking advice outside this field.
Creche sessions continued to be well attended, despite the increase in
numbers of alternative services, indicating the continued need for mothers
to be relieved of their small children for an occasional morning or afternoon,
for a wide variety of reasons.
Indications for the future are that there will be an increase in General
Practitioner attachments, and an increase in casual callers at the Centres.
Due to the decline in the number of births, there will be a reduced number of
attendances at Child Health Sessions. This reduction in attendances will also
be affected by the gradual increase in the numbers of attachment schemes where
General Practitioners and Health Visitors hold sessions on practice premises.
Three persons were removed to Institutions under Section 47 of The
National Assistance Act 1946 as amended by the National Assistance
(Amendment) Act of 1951.