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Research
1965 was an exceptional year by the request from four different research teams for health visitor
participation.
1. The National Survey of Health and Development
This involved personal interviews as far as possible with the young people born in 1946 who had
reached the age of nineteen years.
2. Medical Research Council - Measles Vaccine Trial
Children whose parents participated inthe initial investigationduring the latter part of 1964 required
follow-up visits at three, six and nine monthly intervals.
3. Investigation of Childhood Cancer - Department of Social Medicine
Some parents of children who had died in recent years from childhood cancer were visited to obtain
their co-operation and willingness to be interviewed by a member of the research team. It was necessary
once these parents had indicated a convenient time to be interviewed, to approach the parents of a live
child of approximately the same date of birth, to act as a control group. Six children in the control groups
were selected for every death and in some instances an approach was made to all the parents in these
groups before their resistance was finally overcome.
4. National Child Development Study
This survey was acontinuation of a national survey carried out on every baby born during one week in
March 1958. For each child included in the survey a detailed questionnaire was completed by personal
interview with a parent. Each interview required a minimum of 45 minutes, sometimes much longer if there
were language difficulties. Special medical examinations were subsequently arranged, as well as
participation by the Education Department.
It will be seen that participation in any form of research is time-consuming, requiring special effort
on the staff concerned. As well as additional pressure on health visitors, there is increasing administrative
work.
Student Health Visitors
Practical training of students must be undertaken by selected experienced members of staff, who have
undergoneaspecial Field Work Instructors course. Two health visitors have attended the special course
and arrangements have been made for a third health visitor to attend early in 1966. It may prove in the
light of experience that additional Field Work Instructors will be required in the future, depending upon
the demand for Training Centres.
Two student health visitors were accepted from the Institute of Education (University of London)
and commenced their practical training in Haringey during the latter part of the year. It is regretted that
of the many inquiries during 1965 from potential students desiring training, none came to fruition. This
may have been due to the reduction in the number of available training places due to the shortage of
tutors. It is anticipated that some students may be referred through the London Boroughs Training
Committee in the future.
Problem Families
Miss Howse, Social Worker, reports:-
"During the year I have had to deal more than ever before with the mentally ill for whom complete
rehabilitation is impossible. A great deal of support is necessary if the family is to be kept as stable
as possible when the mother or father has to spend two or three months in a psychiatric hospital each
year. There is mental sub-normality or mental illness needing treatment in twelve of the families under
supervision. In two other instances the husbands are in and out of prison, which imposes a great strain
on the wife.
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