View report page

Student Health Visitors
I am pleased to record that the three students who completed their one year's training in September
were successful in obtaining the health visitors certificate. Unfortunately instead of the anticipated
four students only two suitable candidates were recruited to commence training in September 1967.
The Council for the Training of Health Visitors recommend that field work instructors should have
a case load of 300 families to enable her to have adequate time to instruct, supervise and guide the
student. In addition the field work instructor must be available to meet tutors, both at the Training
College and clinic to discuss the progress of the student. Due to the shortage of staff it has not been
possible to reduce case loads to the recommended number. Four members of the health visiting staff
have attended a special course of instruction to qualify as instructors.
CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR WORK IN CONNECTION WITH PROBLEM FAMILIES
The Chairmanship of the Committee changed by rotation in the first three years of the Council's
existence from Medical Officer of Health to Children's Officer and Chief Welfare Officer.
The work of the Committee continued on the lines described in previous reports. Much of the
information exchanged is very confidential but a useful degree of trust has been a variety of social
workers and so there is now less risk of multiple visiting and more care is taken to ensure that the
most suitable agency is left to cope with the problem.
HOME NURSING SERVICE
There was a slight fall in the number of new cases dealt with during the year by the staff who
continue to give advice and support as well as nursing treatment in the home.
The number of visits which required attention for a period exceeding one hour increased by about
50% which indicates a rise in the number of very ill patients now being cared for at home.
The two bath attendants, by specializing in their duties, were able to know their patients and so
follow a regular timetable. During the year they treated 58 people and in addition carried out treatment
for scabies either in the patients' homes or in the Cleansing Centre in Hornsey.
Full time day or night nursing for terminal cancer patients was provided for 23 people by the
Marie Curie Memorial Foundation.
Treatment of cases during the year may be classified as follows:-
Injections 848
General Nursing Care 628
Blanket Baths 442
Enemata 163
Dressings 369
Preparation for diagnostic investigation 106
Pessaries changed 26
Washouts douches 54
Other treatment 223
2,859
Sex and age of patients at the time of the nurse's first visit may be classified as follows:-
Age Males Females
0 - 4 35 40
5 - 15 24 24
16 - 39 57 276
40 - 64 210 369
65 and over 547 1,273
873 1,982
59