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38
THE WORK OF THE HEALTH VISITORS
I am indebted to the Superintendent Health Visitor, Miss
Oakley, for the following report.
The year has been a varied one for the Health Visitors who
have cheerfully undertaken all the work asked of them, in spite
of the fact that their number was depleted through sickness and
resignations throughout this time.
Attendance at the Home Safety and Local Government Exhibitions
proved to be both interesting and profitable experiences
and provided opportunities of getting over the nature
of their work to a far wider public than usual.
All shared in carrying out the exceptionally heavy Poliomylitis
Vaccination campaign, which was reaching its height at
the time of the bus strike. All managed to get on to their
districts and to carry on with routine work, in spite of great
difficulties. Car owners were more than willing to go to the
help of their less fortunate colleagues.
A new venture in health education was started at New
Addington where a "Mother's Club" came into being. Meetings are
held on one evening each month in the Clinic premises and talks
are given on subjects chosen by the members themselves concerning
family health and wellbeing. The district Health
Visitors have been solely responsible for the organizing and
running of this successful venture. The fact that Corporation
premises were available solved the most difficult problem.
Health Visitors have been quick to seize the opportunities
of discussion afforded by appropriate film strips and other
visual aids when talking to groups such as Young Wives Clubs,
Parent Teacher Associations etc. Knowledge of the problems
which are causing concern to these groups is of great value to
the Health Visitor in her day to day work.
Group discussions ranging over the mental health field as a
whole take place each month and are led by Dr. S. A. McKeith.
These have proved to be stimulating, and of great help. Talks
mainly centre on how to recognise the beginnings of mental illness,
what the Health Visitor can do to help, and her place in
the mental health team after treatment has been given. Both
Dr. McKeith and the Health Visitors have derived a great deal of
benefit from these informal talks.