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35
THE WORK OF THE HEALTH VISITOR
Miss L.E. Oakley, S.R.N., S.C.M., H.V. Cert
Superintendent Health Visitor.
1964 has been a year in which the Health Visitor's work has
gone Quietly on. A much depleted staff over the greater part of
the year has meant a great effort on the part of all to carry
out the essential duties.
The high birth-rate and the numbers of new families coming
into the district has made the greatest demand on the Health
Visitor's time, but at these visits she has the best opportunity
of putting over health education.
The work in the Infant Welfare Centres and Toddler Clubs goes
on, and there have been some interesting discussions on health
topics in the Mothers' and Parents' Groups.
The problem of the working mother as opposed to that of the
mother who is the sole bread-winner for her family, is an increasing
one causing concern to the Health Visitor who finds
herself in conflict with the national policy on the employment
of married women. This is not made easier by her knowledge that
staff shortages in her own profession are made worse by early
marriages, followed by the birth of children
Perhaps 1964 might be said to be one of consolidation before
the changes coming in 1965.
Figures of work carried out are shown in Appendix, page 104.