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(c) Mothers' Clubs
During routine visiting the health visitor meets many lonely mothers - age
appears to make no difference - the young girl with a small baby may be living far
away from her own mother, or her mother is young enough to go to work, the older
mother may be missing her colleagues at work but her sense of duty towards her
family is too strong for her to return to her job and to the companionship which
she enjoyed, before the baby was born.
Many years ago a mothers' club was started at Leyton Green Clinic. It continues
to thrive and is well attended every Wednesday evening when the fathers do
the "Baby Sitting" , but there appeared to be a great need for an afternoon club
and with the kind co-operation of the W.V.S., who have offered to take care of the
children, a mothers' club was started at Park House Clinic. The mothers not only
throughly enjoy their outing knowing that the children are in the good hands of two
senior IV.V.S. members who are grandmothers themselves, but are anxious to learn
about healthy living. The mothers choose their own programme with the help of the
Health Visitor and have so far studied in great detail Nutrition, Child Development,
Children's Illnesses, Care of Children's Teeth and Home Safety. Experts such as
the Deputy Medical Officer, Home Safety Organiser and Dental Auxiliary have given
talks to the club.
THE AGED & CHRONIC SICK
Team work is especially essential to meet the needs of the elderly and the health
visitors work in close co-operation with the Family Doctors, Hospitals, District Nurses,
Houe Helps, Officers from the National Assistance Board, Chiropodists and other social
workers who may be concerned.
LIAISON WITH GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
Health Visitors are now attached in a part-time capacity to five family doctors
and work in close contact with the large majority of G.P.s in Leyton. The scheme
originally put forward by the health visitors has already been extended at the request
of the G.P.s and it is hoped that this will result in an even more comprehensive service
to the family.
LIAISONS WITH HOSPITALS
The health visitors continue to visit twice weekly the Children's ward at Whipps
Cross Hospital and act as a link between the Home and the Hospital, supplying information
to the consultant about the child's background and assisting the mother with
helpful advice when the child is discharged home.
Weekly visits are also carried out to Langthorne and Claybury Hospitals to discuss
admissions and discharges and the best way to assist with the rehabilitation of patients.
It is important for the Nursing staff to be aware of the Community Services available
in the area for the patients and how they can co-operate with the health visitor
for the benefit of the patient. At the request of the Matrons of these hospitals,
lectures have therefore been given by the Superintendent Health Visitor to the trained
nurses and a series of talks to student nurses on the Social Aspect of Disease, followed
by a day's practical observations.
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