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46
HEALTH VISITING
During 1969 the work of the health visitor has increased
mainly in her capacities as family adviser and supervisor of
registered play groups and daily minders,, The family advice
service has undoubtedly developed because of the improved relationship
between the health visitors and the general practitioners. The
reasons for the increase in play group supervision are dealt with
elsewhere.
In the borough three methods of co-operating with general
practitioners are practised:
1. One health visitor is fully attached to a group
practice. This means that although she has a
geographical area of her own it is smaller than
normal, so that she is able in addition to visit
patients of the group practice anywhere in the
borough.
2. Six health visitors are in liaison with group
practices. This means that each health visitor
is responsible for a geographical area of
traditional size, but also has a formal arrangement
for contact with specified general
practitioners at whose request she visits patients
within her area; patients living in other areas
are referred to the appropriate health visitor.
3. Other health visitors have no set time for meeting
general practitioners, but have an understanding
for the ready exchange of information for the
benefit of the patient.
In serving the public, health visitors are aware that the
most important person is the patient, and they find that the improved
link between themselves and the general practitioners has brought
benefit to the family unit. For example, in the past a health visitor
might have visited a home to advise on the care of the mother and her
baby without being aware of domestic stress arising from, say, a family
history of mental or physical illness. Today, the family is advised
as a unit.
The health visitor is unique in her job as she is the only
worker in the field who visits normal families. Her training enables