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38
Mothers' Clubs
Three Mothers' Clubs have been running during 1968; one in the
Northolt Road Clinic— a very active group under the supervision of a
health visitor. This club has a meeting once a fortnight and attendances of
20/30 mothers at each meeting are usual.
A new club was started by the health visitor at the Caryl Thomas
Clinic on 19th November, 1968. This is very popular and well attended.
Liaison Schemes with Local Hospitals
A health visitor has continued to attend the paediatric clinic at
Edgware General Hospital. She is able to inform the other health visitors
concerned of the progress of patients in the care of the hospital, mainly
'at risk' babies, and of difficulties during confinement which are followed
up by the paediatric clinic after discharge from hospital.
A liaison scheme for the elderly, between Roxbourne Hospital and a
member of the health visiting team has continued for a further year.
The liaison scheme with Kingsbury Maternity Hospital has also
continued for a further year. Two health visitors attend for a series of
four weeks during the paediatric out-patients clinic held by Dr. Barrie, the
paediatrician from the Charing Cross Hospital Group. Discussions take
place in conjunction with the clinic involving medical students, health
visitors and pupil midwives. Valuable information can be exchanged
between the specialist and the health visitors, both being concerned with
the same patients. Information is given to other health visitors and clinic
doctors in the Borough.
A rota system, allowing all health visitors to attend, makes it possible
to keep in touch with new drugs and hospital techniques.
The working relationship between hospital and health department is a
most useful one for both sides, and a better service to the patients can be
given.
Study days, arranged by the geriatric department of Edgware General
Hospital, were attended by a group of health visitors and found to be most
instructive.
Student Visits to the Area
During the year 24 students from the Harrow Technical College,
taking a pre-nursing course, attended 1 day a week for 4 weeks in groups
of 5-6 students, to have an introduction to the Local Authority's work in
the community. They visited infant welfare clinics, day nurseries and
accompanied health visitors during their home visits to new babies and
visits to old people in the Borough.
A written report was presented by all students in a seminar during
their last session as visitors in the London Borough of Harrow. The
students found this experience most useful.