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28
Health Visiting Service
The difficulties in maintaining a full establishment of Health Visitors
persisted during the year. In common with other women dominated professions
the service suffers from staff losses due to early marriage and pregnancy.
This shortage has meant that Health Visitors have carried case loads in excess
of the number considered desirable. Sponsored students remain the
chief source of recruitment. Six students successfully completed the Health
Visitor training course this year and a further ten are currently in training.
The support and guidance of newly qualified Health Visitors and of an
increasing number of student Health Visitors in their last three months of
practical training has increased the need for first line management staff. To
meet this need two senior Health Visitors were appointed as Group Advisers,
bringing the number in this grade to 3.
The London Borough of Croydon continues to enjoy the services of a
devoted but diminishing band of voluntary workers in the Child Health Centres,
Their co-operation has enabled Health Visitors to introduce appointment
systems for medical examinations in almost all centres, thus improving the
quality of the services to the public.
The Child-Minding service has been under considerable pressure this year
resulting from an increased volume of requests for Registration and increased
demands from the public for suitable day care for their children. It is with some
regret that preparation has been made to pass over to the new Social Services
Department this valuable service which has been closely tied to Health
Visiting practice for so many years.
Health visitors continue to be involved in group health education in
Parentcraft classes, toddlers and mothers clubs and schools. This year a team
approach to parentcraft classes has evolved with success, the physiotherapist,
midwife and health visitor each bringing her own expertise to this training. A
record number of attendances at these classes is noted for this year.
For detailed figures see Appendix page 111.