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Study Conferences in different parts of London were held on:
Drugs and Alcoholism
Support of the Family with a handicapped child
The unmarried mother
Pre-school playgroups
One or two Health Visitors attended each conference. The Polytechnic
of North London held two consecutive study days for Fieldwork
Instructors: two attended.
Discussion groups have continued to be held with a psychiatrist
twice a month. A group of newly qualified Health Visitors have found
them most useful in methods of dealing with special problems in the
community, some more experienced staff have also had the benefit of
attending.
During the sick leave of the Principal Nursing Officer which commenced
on the 1st August, each Nursing Officer acted up in turn, thus
getting the benefit of further experience.
The Chief Nursing Officer attended a Top Management Course for
senior officers in the National Health Service in Leicester.
Preparation for Confinement
With the opening of the new maternity unit at Northwick Park
Hospital, and the start of their Mothercraft and Relaxation clases, there
has been less demand for our own classes. These have been held in eight
out of ten clinics and consist of eight sessions. Teaching includes care in
all its aspects of the mother during and after pregnancy, as well as
relationships within the family, stages of labour, analgesia, care and
management of the baby, prophylaxis and development, also Health and
Social Service available. Film evening with discussions for expectant
mothers and their husbands have been held in four clinics.
Talks on Mothercraft were given by Health Visitors at Edgware
General and Bushey Maternity Hospitals.
Mothers' Clubs
Three mothers' clubs have continued during 1972. One at Kenmore
Clinic is held weekly in the afternoons, where the mothers attend with
their children. The other two, held at Northolt Road Clinic and Caryl
Thomas Clinic function in the evenings.
The Work with the Elderly
With attachments to group practices, the work with the elderly is
increasing as more referrals are made by General Practitioners.
Notification of deaths are sent to Health Visitors, so that they may
be aware of the bereaved: a vulnerable group in the community.
Old people on the register numbered 2,237 in 1972, of these 133 died
during the year.
Five clinics for the elderly are run in the Borough, approximately
250 have attended the clinics.