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The training of health visitors and health visitor tutors was the subject of the
Ministry of Health Circular 8/65, which promised a substantially increased number
of training places for the training of health visitors, and measures to stimulate
recruitment to health visiting as a profession over the United Kingdom as a whole.
Local health authorities were asked to give practical support to these aims in the
following ways:
(a) By sponsoring suitably qualified students for training. Many authorities
already do this, but the increase in staff that is planned implies a corresponding
increase in the number of new recruits sponsored for training.
(b) By increasing the facilities available for the practical instruction of trainee
health visitors by sponsoring suitable health visitors to take a course
qualifying them to act as field work instructors, and by providing, in cooperation
with training centres, the facilities required for field work
instruction in their area.
(c) By ensuring the successful carrying out of the national training programme
by sponsoring the training of suitably qualified health visitors (those with
at least three years experience) who wish to train to take posts as tutors
at training centres. At present the number of qualified health visitor
tutors in relation to training places available is less than the Council for
the Training of Health Visitors consider to be satisfactory, and there are
no reserves to call on, either to staff the existing training courses or the
new training courses that will be necessary.
Use of Ancillary Help
Minister of Health Circular 12/65 dealt with the use of ancillary help in the
local authority general nursing services. The essence of the matter was to ensure
that the best use is made of the skills of a qualified nurse in her capacity as a health
visitor or home nurse. Enclosed was a copy of the Report of a Sub-Committee
appointed by the Standing Nursery Advisory Committee to consider the use of
ancillary help in the local authority nursing services.
A study of the content and methods of the work done by the Council's nursing
staff was carried out and further scope for the employment of ancillary staff was
found to exist. Some improvement of the position was effected and the process is
a continuing one.
Liaison with Hospitals and General Practitioners
The closest possible co-operation with general practitioners, hospital medical
and social workers exists and is actively pursued.
No health visitor is fully attached to the practice of a general practitioner and
in the light of present staff shortages it is not a practical proposition at the moment.
An arrangement exists, however, whereby a health visitor attends the surgery
of one group practice weekly, in order to effect as close liaison as possible in present
circumstances.
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