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This resulted in saving a considerable amount of staff
time and clinic space which was being used in the sale and
storage of an excessive number of proprietary products.
(d) The number of staff working in attachment or in close
liaison to groups of family doctors was increased. At the end
of the year one health visitor, seven midwives and four district
nurses were fully attached to general practice groups involving
nineteen doctors and seven liaison schemes between
family doctors and health visitors were in operation. Six requests
for attachment were received during the year, and
although it was a disappointment to find that few family or
hospital doctors really understood a health visitor's training
or duties, arrangements for regular liaison visits were made
in each case. Further arrangements were made for health
visitors to attend paediatric and geriatric consultant ward
rounds and clinics at Oldchurch and St. George's Hospitals.
Dr. Draper, of Guy's Hospital, visited the Department, as part
of his national investigation into this question.
(e) The number of children admitted to the day nurseries on
medical or social grounds again increased. During the war
years day nurseries were opened to enable mothers of young
children to help the war effort by going to work, but now the
objects of admission are to provide skilled care and assessment
of children in need, and to help their parents.
(0 Regular meetings of medical and nursing staff were held
for informal discussion and in-service training.
(g) Arrangements were made with the Children's, Education
and Housing Departments of the Borough, and other involved
bodies, to hold policy meetings and case conferences whenever
the need arose.
The various Maternity and Child Health services are described
below.
During the year many visitors came to the Department to see
the clinics and day nurseries, including parties from Japan. Pakistan
and Denmark as well as from various parts of the United Kingdom.
MEDICAL CONSULTATION
The Medical staff consisted of eight full-time doctors with
special training and interest in maternity and child welfare. Their
duties also include school health work and the medical examination
staff. Local general practitioners attended occasionally on a
sessional basis. During 1965, a further doctor undertook the
course in the ascertainment of mentally handicapped children at
Bristol University, increasing the total to six doctors approved for
this work, and two Medical Officers continued their special clinics
for children with suspected hearing difficulties.
During the year, 1,089 medical consultations were held leading
to 439 referrals to special clinics or hospital consultants.
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