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Clinic Doctors
The doctors working in the clinics are available to give
advice or arrange investigations of the wide range of developmental
problems of children, with a particular emphasis on the
early detection and management of handicapping conditions.
They do not undertake medical treatment, which is the sphere
of action of the family doctor, but have access to all the resources
of the National Health Service in their preventive and advisory
role. The doctors also work in the schools and day nurseries,
arrange immunisations and vaccinations, staff the family planning
and cytology service, and cover the Council's occupational
health service.
The establishment of eight doctors was complete at the
beginning of the year but later recruitment difficulties meant that
one clinic was without a doctor for a considerable time. Dr.
Elizabeth Haga who had completed over twenty-five continuous
years at Romford Clinic, retired in mid 1969 and was very much
missed by the staff and the third generation of mothers who had
benefitted from her advice.
Health Visitors and Clinic Nurses
Staffing
The shortage of qualified staff continues to hold back
development and put great strain on those in post. The demands
on a health visitor's time are increasing as her role changes
from that of an advisor only on problems affecting children to
that of a general advisor, investigator and co-ordinator of all
matters affecting the personal health of the young, the elderly,
the handicapped and other members of the community. Ciinic
nurses are employed to carry out those duties not requiring the
health visitor's particular training and have provided invaluable
support by undertaking school nursing, immunisation sessions
and some visiting work.
Training
Two student health visitors completed training but for family
reasons oniy one took up employment. Three students were
sponsored by the Borough and commenced training in September.
The Field Work Instructors take student health visitors for
training. A great many students from other disciplines, including
student nurses, teachers, social workers, also ask to accompany
health visitors on their work and every endeavour is made to
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