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40
HEALTH VISITING
The health visiting establishment at the end of 1967 provided for
the employment of one superintendent health visitor, one group adviser, 26
health visitors, 2 student health visitors and the equivalent of 3 clinic
nurses.
The actual staff were: 1 superintendent health visitor, 1 group
adviser, 21 full time health visitors, 5 part time health visitors, 1 geriatric
health visitor, 2 student health visitors and 8 part time clinic nurses.
One full time health visitor post was vacant.
3 of the health visitors were fieldwork instructors, one was employed
entirely with the elderly, and one shared her time between health visiting and
the preparation of materials for health education displays. The geriatric
health visitor was attached to Kingston Hospital and her services were shared
with the Borough of Richmond upon Thames and with Surrey County Council.
Each health visitor continues to be responsible for the families and
schools in a prescribed geographical area and has her base at the clinic nearest
to her area. Her work has five main aspects:
1. The prevention of mental, physical and emotional ill
health and its consequences.
2. Early detection of ill health and the surveillance of
high risk groups.
3. Recognition and identification of need and mobilisation
of appropriate resources where necessary.
4. Health teaching.
5. Provision of care; this includes support during
periods of stress and advice and guidance in cases
of illness, as well as in the care and management
of children. The health visitor is not however,
actively engaged in technical nursing procedures.
Health visitors usually attend the following clinics:
Ante-natal Infant Welfare
Audiology Minor Ailment s
Cervical Cytology Mothercraft
Education in Childbirth Mothers Clubs
Fathercraft Parentcraft
Health Clinic for the Elderly Toddlers