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passed on to the rest of the staff and home visits are requested in preparation
for the discharge of patients, or the follow-up of relatives of "inpatients"
and also to report progress of discharged patients.
During the course of the year 757 home visits to the elderly were made
following requests from general medical practitioners and medical social
workers.
The routine work of health and advice to the family, and the general
working of the department, was explained to over one hundred students
from nurse training schools, secondary schools, district nurse training
schools and some visiting nurses from overseas. In addition, four student
Health visitors attended the Borough for their practical training.
Research Projects
In co-operation with the Department of Medicine of St. Thomas's
Hospital Medical School, the Health Visitors took part in a research project
into the susceptibility of respiratory disease of all babies born in six
wards of the Borough. All siblings of these families were included and the
health of both parents was considered at the same time. This survey was
carried out over two years and finished at the end of June 1965. A followup
of the health and development of these families will continue for several
years but no new cases will be added.
In addition, under the Medical Research Council's Measles Vaccine
Trials conducted in 1964, three groups of children have been contacted
by the Health Visitors every three months and a progress questionnaire
has been completed.
Health Education
Much of the Health Visitor's work is by way of education and many
evening talks, film evenings, lectures on fathercraft for "expectant" fathers
and general hygiene courses for senior school girls, were given during the
year. Further details are contained in the general section on Health Education.
National Child Development Study
Under the aegis of the National Birthday Trust Fund a nation-wide
Perinatal Mortality Survey was carried out in 1958. During this survey
detailed information was collected and collated regarding over 17,000
births and over 7,000 stillbirths occurring during the week 3rd—9th
March of that year. As a result of this study, a great deal has been learnt
which has led to an improvement in maternity services and a saving of
infant life.
In view of the fact that very little is known about the many things
which affect children's development, the organisers of the above survey
considered that a further study of the large and representative group included
in the survey might make it possible to answer a lot of important
questions about children's growth, health and education.