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Experienced health visitors in the toddlers' clubs are handing
over some of the responsibility for the children during the
sessions to members and are encouraging them to take a much more
active part in the discussions and activities. All these groups
are helping to maintain good mental health and are developing
a real spirit of community responsibility.
In-Service Training
Daily, throughout the year, the Assistant Health Education
Officer gave informal but important help to many members of the
Public Health team either singly or in small groups. Other more
formal sessions of particular interest were: -
Human Relationships in Obstetrics
The second of two sessions on this Subject for doctors, hospital
and domiciliary midwives, health visitors and district
nurses was held at Mayday Hospital and the speakers taking part
were:-
Dr. S. A. MacKeith, Physician Superintendent, Warlingham Park
Hospital.
Mr. J. C. Miller, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,
Croydon Group Hospital Management Committee.
Dr. D.J. Gordon-Smith, Deputy Medical Director,
The Central Council for Health Education.
The second part of the programme during the first session
was devoted to role-playing. On this occasion, however, it was
decided to have four groups who discussed:-
(a) The lack of tolerence and understanding in maternity
Units
(b) Do the recent criticisms indicate that the public is expecting
the impossible?
(c) Are the maternity units which would be a "home from home
only a pipe dream or are they a possibility?
(d.) What are the factors in the world of midwifery which
lead to the development of a domineering and inconsiderate
manner in some midwives?
This method produced a more positive result in that constructive
suggestions were made and some action taken.
Two other formal sessions on "Planning for the Toddler
(Toddlers' Clubs) were held for doctors and health visitors. The
Medical Officer of Health introduced the sessions and on each
occasion a doctor and a health visitor presented papers which
were fully discussed and resulted in the confirmation of the
Policy of establishing more such clubs with the threefold pur
pose of mental and physical examination of the two to five year
olds, social development of the children through play and health
education sessions for the mothers.