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35
THE WORK OF THE HEALTH VISITORS
Miss L. E. Oakley, S. R. N., S.C. M., H. V. Cert.
Superintendent Health Visitor
1959 saw the Health Visitor again taking part in an exceptionally
heavy Poliomyelitis Vaccination Programme, which included
the "teenage rush" following the death of a noted footballer.
During the year the Department was responsible for giving
practical training to 19 Health Visitor Students and for
arranging for 90 student Nurses to see something of the work of
the domiciliary services. In these circumstances routine work
tends to get behind, but good grounding in practical work does
mean that each piece of advice given at a home visit must be
analysed and its purpose explained, whether the visit is done by
the trained Health Visitor or by the student who visits selected
cases in her third term. The obvious interest and enjoyment of
the student nurse at all she sees and hears makes her visit to
the Department extremely worth while. Thanks are due to
colleagues in the statutory and voluntary services who give such
willing help in this matter of training.
A pilot survey into the needs of old people living alone was
carried out in a small part of the Borough. Its findings showed
that with one exception all were taking advantage of the
Services offered nationally and locally; very few were without
relatives who could be contacted in cases of emergency, but all
were lonely. Some had had too hard a life to learn the art of
making friends - others had outlived their contemporaries - but
most welcomed the opportunity of having someone with whom to
talk. However sympathetic she may be this is a task which the
Health Visitor cannot undertake. It is one which must be left
to voluntary organisations.
The findings of a Committee on the nursing of sick children
prompted the idea of a Home Nursing Course being given to the
Mother's Club at New Addington. It was felt that many sick
children could be nursed at home by the District Nurse if the
mother had some knowledge of simple nursing techniques. The
support the Course received revealed how many parents were
worried as to the effect a period in hospital might have on
their children. It is certain that the knowledge so obtained
Will prevent many from panicking at the first sign of illness.
In other Centres simple talks on the importance of drinks
and rest, the taking of temperatures and how to keep a sick child
occupied have been given.