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39
Full attachments with group practices have shown so much additional
work that both group practices needed the support of two health visitors.
The work of the health visitor in group practice has involved the followup
and care of the whole family; supportive work involving marital
problems, teenage problems, menopausal problems, early mental
depression and geriatric visits as well as the support to mothers and
babies and handicapped children. Many patients have received visits
following discharge from hospital.
District referrals from general practice are more effective as help can
be given much more quickly in a variety of ways. The health visitor will,
through her personal knowledge and experience of local authority services,
use these services to the full.
Preparation for Confinement
Mothercraft and relaxation classes continue to be given in all clinics;
8-9 classes are given to expectant mothers during their later weeks of
pregnancy in preparation for the confinement. A syllabus of talks has
been arranged for these classes giving full instructions to expectant
mothers in the skill of baby management, the three stages of labour,
analgesia, diet, immunisation, etc. The physical and emotional changes
in pregnancy are discussed fully. Expectant mothers enjoy the social
contact with other expectant mothers and the opportunity to ask questions
in an informal group. Film evenings are arranged in several clinics in
different parts of the Borough for the expectant mothers and their
husbands, to show the birth of a baby. The health visitor introduces the
film evening and starts a discussion afterwards to clarify any points
stimulated by the film. 16 evenings were arranged during 1971.
In addition, some fathercraft classes have been arranged to give
husbands the opportunity to learn the skills of baby management. The
classes have proved useful in giving practical support to young mothers
and preparing husbands for possible emergencies in the home after the
arrival of the baby.
Liaison Schemes with Local Hospitals
A nursing officer has attended the paediatric clinic and special care
unit at Edgware General Hospital. These visits have been followed by
short case conferences with a hospital team on problems arising in
specific cases within the wards. Information on these cases is then
passed to the health visitor responsible for the district in which the
patient lives and so continuity in advice and care is maintained.
The liaison scheme with Kingsbury Maternity Hospital continued
during the year. Here two health visitors attended for a series of four
weeks at the paediatric out-patient clinic held by Dr. Barrie of Charing
Cross Hospital. In addition a nursing officer attended weekly to advise
mothers and offer support in cases exhibiting specific problems following