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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 Sciences
(Chief Nursing Officer)
During the year health visitors have worked well to maintain a high standard of
health and family care within the Borough.
Their work is so established that it rarely attracts publicity and because of their
service to the family, tragedies and social problems can be averted.
"What does the health visitor do?" is a question frequently asked. She is a state
registered nurse with obstetric experience, who has completed a post-graduate training
of one year and is specially trained to detect and appreciate the association of health
with social circumstances.
Many children are at risk to their satisfactory mental and physical development.
It is not unusual for health visitors to observe deficiencies in the home—often the
mothers are not aware of the dangers involved.
It is important to realise that many deficiencies in providing adequate care
are due to lack of appreciation of the needs of children, and rarely due to wilful
neglect or cruelty.
Home Visiting
Domiciliary visits remain a most important activity. Most of the time was spent
on following a schedule of routine visits to new birth notifications, screening and
visits to all age groups, including the elderly.
When health visitors are serving the public several topics may be covered. The
object of a visit may be to see a new baby, but other matters may be raised, for
example—the jealousy of a toddler, health problems with school children, menopausal
and other problems of middle age, or dealing with grandparents. The value
of these visits is difficult to measure, but is of obvious value in relieving tension,
giving advice and re-assurance. Problems dealing with adults are nearly as prevalent
as with young children. Developmental and observation tests are carried out as a
matter of routine.
Evening Visits
These are becoming increasingly essential as more people go to work during the
day, leaving their children with relatives or registered child minders. Family planning
was the most frequently raised topic within the family groups.
There has been close association with social workers in the Borough and referrals
are made when children are considered to be at social risk or when there is evidence
of cruelty or neglect.
Case conferences are called by the nursing staff when other agencies are concerned
with family problems to decide what action should be adopted and to reduce the
number of visitors to the home.
General Practitioner/Health Visitor Attachment/Liaison
Progress towards full attachment is limited only by lack of suitable facilities and
not by lack of enthusiasm. Existing groups have been stabilised, liaison and links
having been considerably strengthened. Many general practitioners in the Borough
are now requesting the services of the health visitor.
The links between hospital, general practitioner and health visitor are of great
value, to the benefit of the patient and his family. The general practitioner's records
are available to the health visitor, giving early notification of hospital discharges
for follow-up and early contact with ante-natal mothers. This proves to be invaluable
in early acceptance of the services available when the baby is born.
Liaison with Hospitals
During the year co-operation with the staffs of hospitals has been strengthened.
The link between hospitals, general practitioners and health visitors is of particular
importance in the care of the elderly.
Health visitors attend ward rounds in paediatric wards and take part in discussions
with consultants and hospital staff.
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