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11. HEALTH VISITING
The Health Visiting service is operated under Section 24 of the National Health
Service Act, and the Council have 39 health visitors. They work from 16 of the
Council's health clinics, and are responsible for all the families living in the area.
The Health Visitor is in an unique position in relation to the family, in that she
is often adviser 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 works in co-operation with the family's general practitioner and
with other social services in a wide variety of ways. These include advising in Child
Care within the home, 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.
Five health visitor students sponsored by the Council qualified during the year
and are now on the health visiting staff.
Nine student nurses taking the integrated course of training at Hillingdon
Hospital and Chiswick Polytechnic, and 51 student nurses from local hospitals came
to the borough for a few days experience in the work of the health visitors.
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