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12. HEALTH VISITING
The Council's health visiting staff consists of a Chief Nursing Officer (Health
Visiting) her deputy, 3 divisional health visitors, and the equivalent of 40 health
visitors. They work from 16 of the Council's health clinics, each having her own
district and being responsible for all the families Iiving in that area.
The health visitor is in an unique position in relation to the family, in that
she is often advisor to the mother during the ante-natal period. Even if this is not
the case she will visit within 10 days of the baby's birth and will continue to give
any support necessary to the family thereafter. Her purpose is to prevent ill health,
both physical and mental, and by giving support when difficulties arise to help in
the maintenance of family life. She is involved with the organization of child welfare
sessions at clinics, taking relaxation and mothercraft classes, and the follow-up of
handicapped children. She is active in the field of health education, including
group discussions with mothers, film shows, teaching in schools and talks to
various local organizations on health matters. She also works in co-operation with
the family's general practitioner and with other social services in a wide variety of
ways.
I have referred elsewhere to the trend for the attachment of health visitors
and nursing and midwifery staff to general practitioners and in my view this should
be developed. During the year a pilot scheme was started by attaching one health
visitor to a three doctor group practice. In this scheme she visits only the patients
of this practice, instead of working in a geographical area. It is hoped that the
knowledge gained by this trial will enable us to proceed smoothly with a wider
attachment scheme.
Five health visitor students sponsored by the Council qualified during the
year and are now on the health visiting staff.
Four student nurses taking the integrated course of training at Hillingdon
Hospital and Chiswick Polytechnic came to the Borough for practical training, and
62 student nurses from the local hospitals came to the Borough for a few day's
experience in the work of health visitors. I am very glad that the department has
this opportunity to help the next generation of nurses gain a better knowledge of
community services.
Two health visitors took the training course in teaching methods organised
by the Health Visitors Association to enable them to teach health education in
schools.