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Thus it can be seen that ten children must be assumed to have been subjected to wilful
injury by a parent, but another six were in need of help which, but for the present vigilance
and publicity — as all these were reported either by the patients themselves or relatives — might
have resulted in injury to the children.
However, these findings should not be taken complacently as it is generally felt that we
deal at present only with a small number who come to our attention who might be compared
with the tip of an iceberg. It is the submerged large number which still causes us concern who
are in need of help which at present is not made available to them.
Further efforts will therefore be made to detect these.
THE WORK OF THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES
Miss M.C. Gooderham, the Senior Area Nursing Officer reports:
HEALTH VISITING
The pattern of health visiting work carried out in this Borough includes routine duties
in connection with expectant mothers, mothers and young babies, the young child, the school
child, the elderly and the family with problems. The Health Visitor helps those awaiting hospital
admission and needing advice and reassurance. Where parents or children are to be admitted
for hospital treatment their parents often need guidance in order to prepare the child and minimise
any mental trauma which may result from this enforced separation.
Health Visitors organise Child Health, Cytology, Slimming and Health Education, etc. and
take an active part in the School Health Services.
It is inevitable that the Borough with varying degrees of social needs demands an extensive
knowledge and aptitude of the Health Visitor and makes the home visiting aspect extremely
varied and worthwhile. Where extensive help is thought desirable and where this is acceptable
to the family the health visitors are ready to ask for the help required from the Social Services
Department. They keep in contact with social workers and other services, including voluntary,
and wherever possible build up close personal relationships with them. Social/medical problems
continue to be one of the main concerns of the health visitor. The health visitor, as she becomes
increasingly involved in general practice, finds the volume and variety of her work growing
rapidlly.
STUDENT HEALTH VISITORS
Four Student Health Visitors have been sponsored by the Council during the year. The
theoretical training is given at various Technical Colleges.
The Health Visitors who have completed the field work instructor's course take students
for practical training.
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