View report page

whether it be for a special holiday for a paralysed speechless man
or a small and more personal gift for someone with a particular need.
In closing I must again express great appreciation of all the
help received from my many contacts. It is this team-work which
makes it all worthwhile and gives so much satisfaction.
Health Education
The health visitor's advice is now generally known as being
part of the health education programme. It can be given individually
in the home or elsewhere on any matters relating to health including
the passing on of information connected with changes in prophylactic
measures such as immunisation and mental health. Industrial and
commercial concerns are very much aware of this function of the
health visitor and seek to engage her interest and recommendation for
their various commodities.
The total number of attendances made by health visitors at
clinic sessions provided by the local health authority during the year
was 4,550.
Group Medical Practice Centre
The record of attendances mentioned above does not include
those at a local centre for group medical practice. Miss Marriott,
the health visitor concerned, is present on two sessions each week,
to give advice to those who need it. One of these is an infant
welfare session. At the other there are some mothers attending for
ante-natal care and a mixture of all other age groups as at a doctor's
ordinary surgery. The health visitor makes known the voluntary
and statutory services and puts them into motion as required. She
also undertakes home visiting for certain cases and refers the others
to her colleagues covering districts on which the patients' homes are
situated.
Health education in welfare centres throughout the Area continues
all the time. Parents are quick to recognise that the health of
their offspring is more important than anything else. At all the
infant welfare sessions a health visitor is present to discuss the
child's progress, to give advice on general care, behaviour and feeding
and to refer for further advice where this seems to be advisable.
Group Teaching
Parentcraft and Relaxation Classes are held in the majority of
welfare centres and are attended mainly by expectant mothers. A
health visitor is present to be in charge of relaxation instruction and
64