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Home Visiting
This has become most complex for, with more mothers working, children are being
minded in the homes of other people. Responsibility for the registration of childminders
was, by the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, transferred to the
Social Services Department with effect from 1 April 1971.
Regular visits to child-minders by health visitors continue for they have a
statutory duty to visit all premises where there are children under the age of five
years. The health and development of the children are checked and advice is given
on health problems and diet, etc., when required.
Observance on developmental progress, diet and general care is extremely
important, especially when considering the type of upbringing experienced by some
young children. Medical checks, screening and prophylaxis, are frequently missed.
Follow-up with the parents is difficult because the mothers may be working or
living in other areas.
Health visitors are frequently concerned about the lack of opportunities necessary
for development available to these children, who will one day be parents. It is an
alarming prospect to envisage little children who are "strangers" in their own homes.
Some may go from bed to minder and back to bed having little contact with
brothers and sisters; rarely do they join in other activities with the family such as
going shopping or to the park. They play with toys but never own them. This
upbringing gives little preparation for family life and stability. The health visitors
work very closely with their colleagues in the Social Services Department.
Psychogeriatrics and Psychiatrics
The pilot scheme, for assessment of psychogeriatric patients, linked with Bexley
Hospital and Hither Green Hospital, has proved to be very successful. During the
year two more health visitors received the necessary training and are now involved
in this work. The health visitor provides a comprehensive report as a result of
four days continuous intensive visiting and tests. These reports assist the consultants
and family doctors in deciding on the treatment and the form of care which will
be most beneficial to the patient.
In addition two community psychiatric nurses joined the staff during the year.
Both are State Registered Nurses and hold the Registered Mental Nurse certificate.
The nurses are based in a health centre but have strong links with the Psychiatrists
and local hospitals. This is a pilot scheme which is creating wide interest. Patients
on continuous treatment can be followed up in their own homes.
Indications already show that there will be a need for expansion in this service.
Health visitors work closely with the community psychiatric nurses and are frequently
able to help with home and family assessments.
Clinical Sessions
The number of clinical sessions has again increased and many more developmental
sessions, using the appointment system, have been started. Evening sessions have
been opened for the benefit of working mothers.
Group sessions including sewing classes, speech classes for immigrants and
mothers' clubs have continued to be held in many centres.
The creches have been well used and the spina-bifida group which is well appreciated
by the parents, has proved to be of tremendous benefit to the children.
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