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HEALTH VISITING
Dorothy M. Coe, S.R.N., R.F.N., S.C.M., H.V., C. & G.
Technical Teachers' Certificate, Diploma in Social Studies
(Principal Nursing Officer)
The health visitor, as a "non-crisis" visitor, is in a unique position within the health
and welfare services. Her work is mainly preventive with the objective of promoting
and maintaining the total physical and mental health of all members of the family.
She is concerned with the medical and psychological and the social needs of the
family, giving advice to families in their own homes, in the doctor's surgery or in
the clinic or health centre.
Work with Mothers and Young People
The health visitor visits mothers with new babies in their own homes. She has no
right of entry but is seldom refused. She becomes aware of the need to visit through
the notification of each birth sent by the hospital or midwife to the local authority
and can then help to ensure that care is adequate and that as far as possible each
child progesses normally.
By her ability to recognise any deviation from the normal, physically, mentally
or socially, she can give help and support to the parents towards the normal development
of their children. She ensures that the parents understand the need for
prophylaxis, and visits all children who are on the observation and "At Risk"
register. In addition, the health visitor ensures that the requirements of the Nurseries
and Child Minders Regulation Act relating to the daily minding of young children
are understood and that contraventions are detected and remedied.
Some of the problems met are due to conditions related to poor housing, matrimonial,
financial or health and diet difficulties. One of the alarming tragedies of
the present day is the increase in the number of "battered" babies, and the number
of children who are left alone in their homes. The varying needs and differing
standards of families from other countries need special consideration. "Touchhungry
children" is a description given to children who are left alone for long
periods during the day. All children need contact with others to learn how to play,
and to be talked to; this is important for speech and mental and physical development.
Many children are backward in speech, not through any physical defect but
because they lack speech stimulation.
General Practitioner/Health Visitor Attachment
Schemes for attachment of health visitors to general practice within the Borough
are being developed. Efforts are being made in suitable circumstances to alter the
visiting areas of health visitors from geographical areas based around their health
centres to practice areas. Progress toward this arrangement is limited to some extent
because of the low ratio of health visitors employed to general practitioners in group
practice, and the high percentage of "single" doctor practices, within the Borough.
Where premises and conditions are suitable, health visitors agree unanimously
that job satisfaction and the quality of service offered to the public are very much
higher than before. Medical records and health visitors' records are both readily
available to doctor and health visitor and regular consultation reduces the possibility
of conflicting advice being given to patients. The doctor also gains knowledge of
members of the family rarely seen, such as husband, school children and adult
siblings. Many previously hidden problems where help had not been sought are
brought to light and solved.
For successful attachment/liaison schemes planning is essential. A visit by a
nursing officer and medical officer is made to discuss with the general practitioner
the work of a health visitor and follow-up visits are made at six-monthly intervals.
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