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Infant Welfare Sessions
This trend towards assessment of child development is already having an
effect on infant welfare sessions. Mothers are making more specific enquiries
concerning their children's capacities and testing of the vision and hearing of
toddlers is more in demand. This often poses problems for the staff in making
the necessary time available for this work. A suitable quiet room is a must, as
background noise distracts a small child from the tests. It would seem that time
spent on full child capacity tests will obviate the need of weekly visits for
weighing and maternal assurance.
Ante-natal Work
Health visitors continue to attend ante-natal clinics, together with a
midwife when possible. The health visitor's role is to give social advice and
health education. Contacts with expectant mothers also establishes a relationship
of value later on.
There is a continued demand for pre-natal instruction, and again several
classes are shared together with the midwives.
The difficulties encountered by unmarried mothers are often first revealed
to the health visitor who advises and, where necessary, refers them to the
Diocesan Moral Welfare Worker.
Other Visits
Statistical information is not available to date on the variety of "other"
visits which are increasingly undertaken, but more detailed return forms are
being drafted to give a clearer picture.
The Elderly
Since the Health Service Act, the health visitor has been brought more into
contact with the elderly. Her function is still concerned with the prevention
of ill-health, while arranging for the alleviation of immediate need. Early
action can frequently avert or deter the onset of depression or neurosis. Much
work has still to be done among adults "at risk" due to fears, and the loneliness
following bereavement.
Mental Welfare
It is good to have a specialised section to deal with the more severe
needs, but there is still great pressure from the insidious increase of mild
neuroses in the community. Most health visitors in this area have had opportunity
to attend courses at either Goodmayes or Severalls Hospitals, which has
alerted them to the early signs of pending breakdown, and the need to help
support the families of the mentally sick.
Tuberculosis
It has been common practice for specialist visitors to work in this field,
but the trend is towards area health visitors undertaking the supervision of
families in their areas, with a liaison health visitor in close contact with the
consultant chest physician. As things are developing, this work will cover all
chest diseases, including cancer of the lung, and tuberculosis will be a less
isolated disease. At present, both Barking and Five Elms Clinics are each
staffed by a health visitor and a clinic nurse.
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