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Suggestions were also made as to the means by which health visitors
can assist general practitioners.
Discussions have also taken place at the liaison committee of the
local branch of the British Medical Association.
Co-operation with hospitals
There is excellent co-operation between the Area Health Department
and neighbouring hospitals and their personnel. A health visitor regularly
attends the paediatric department of the Prince of Wales's
Hospital and has personal contacts with consultants and almoners so
that there is free exchange of information between the hospital and
health visiting services. Information and enquiries are also received
daily by telephone concerning patients living in this Area from
hospitals further afield and 248 written health visitors' reports were
sent out to these and other bodies during the year.
Health Education
A very important part of the health visitor/school nurse's work is
teaching parentcraft and home-making to individuals in their own
homes, at welfare centres and schools.
Class teaching in schools (particularly secondary modern girls'
schools) in the Area has increased during the last few years, and in
1953 no less than one hundred talks were given. The aim is that as
many girls as possible shall receive a course of lectures, discussions
and demonstrations on mothercraft before they leave school. A few
of the talks were given to mixed school audiences on common health
problems.
Several members of the health visiting staff also gave talks to such
local organisations as Old People's Welfare Associations, the Women's
Branch of the British Legion, British Red Cross Society, Girls Life
Brigade, Church Societies, Student Nursery Nurses and the Training
Home for Women Delinquents.
Lectures to Student Nurses at the Prince of Wales's General Hospital
The General Nursing Council's revised syllabus of training requires
a study of social and preventive medicine to fit the nurse in training
for her place in the National Health Service.
During 1953 four lectures were given by the Superintendent Health
Visitor in this connection at the request of the Prince of Wales's
Hospital. To satisfy a later request two lectures were given to Ward
Sisters, and one other to nurses in the Preliminary Training School.
Surveys and Researches
Health visitors have assisted government departments, national
bodies, health and education authorities by undertaking special investigations
for the following purposes
Enquiry into Public Opinion on Health (T.B.)
Ministry Enquiry into Virus Infection.
Enquiry into Prematurity and Neo-natal Deaths.
National Survey on the Health and Development of Children.
Tuberculosis Vaccine Trials.
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