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School Health Visiting
It is not expected that health visitors will continue the full range of
practical duties in this field, but make more use of ancillary staff. A closer
relationship with teaching staff will help with the prompt investigation of the
children's problems. Here again, there is a heightened response to possible
causes of the lack of well-being or of educational progress. Where health
visitors have become better known to the children, this has been followed by a
demand to question and confide in them. It becomes evident that the health
visitor must be made available to these young people outside of clinic sessions.
The staff have learned much from assisting with the Adolescent Clinic, and two
health visitors hope to recommence in the autumn term. It is hoped that another
centre will develop.
Health Education
A member of the health visiting staff has been appointed as Assistant Health
Education Officer. This is a most welcome move, as health education is part of
the substance of health visiting. However, class or formal group teaching is not
everyone's medium, but for those who will undertake this work there is a great
opportunity and a great demand. In schools, the wide variety of subject matter
already requested is an answer as to the need for teaching healthy living.
At present the staff are handicapped by lack of clerical assistance in the
clinics. It is more necessary than ever for detailed reports to be submitted.
Thoughts have been expressed in regard to small tape recorders, but much practice
in their use is needed.
Recruitment
Vacancies in both previous areas have been advertised in the nursing and
local press many times, with little success.
As there is an increasing number of married health visitors, or single
persons with family responsibilities, some consideration to provide temporary
accommodation in certain circumstances would be helpful.
The sponsoring of students will, it is hoped, increase the ratio of
qualified staff over the next five years.
Health Visiting Statistics
Cases visited by Health Visitors Number of Cases
Children born in 1965 2,458
" " " 1964 1,793
" " " 1960-63 4.079
Total 8,330
Persons aged 65 or over 734
Mentally disordered persons 28
Persons discharged from hospitals (excluding
maternity patients) 59
Number of tuberculous households visited 10
Number of households visited on account of other
infectious diseases 146
Homes visited by tuberculosis visitors 839
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