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56
The Superintendent Health Visitor, Mrs. J. Foulkes, S. R. N.,
S. C. M., H. V. Cert., reports as fo-llows:-
" The work of the health visitors during 1959 followed a
similar pattern to that of the previous year with a slight
increase in the number of visits to the elderly people of the
Borough. Visiting of this nature continues to produce evidence
of loneliness* and this aspect was emphasised in a talk given
to the Rotarians on the care of the aged. A rather interesting
experimental scheme resulted. With the co-operation of the
Health Visiting Staff and the Headmaster of William Morris
Technical school the pupils of that school are visiting and
making friends with elderly people in the district who are very
appreciative.
Every effort is made to maintain the high standard of
mothercraft in the Borough and careful teaching in secondary
modern schools has considerable value as an early preparation
for motherhood. Health visitors have been giving mothercraft
instruction in Walthamstow Schools for nearly 6 years and for
the purpose of evaluation a questionnaire was produced for
completion by the girls of one school. It is evident from the
girls' answers that the lessons are profitable as well as
popular, and such remarks as 'Mother is too busy to tell us',
'You can tell us the right way' and 'If we do not learn it here
we shall not learn it anywhere else', give a clear indication
of the need for such teaching.
The function of the health visitor is increasingly that of
health educator, and the scope and opportunity in this field
expands year by year. An additional Ante-Natal Relaxation Class
commenced recently and talks are given on various aspects of the
preparation for motherhood. Details are given on page 43
Weekly classes were continued at the 'Carville' Home for unmarried
mothers and babies in West Avenue Road, and the Sister
Tutor from Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital kindly gave
demonstrations on the use of the gas and air apparatus to each
group of very young expectant mothers.
Talks were given and films shown regularly throughout the
year to groups of mothers at two of the Infant Welfare Clinics.
In all the Welfare Centres display and exhibition material is
used by Health Visitors with a flair for this work to illustrate
chosen health topics and changes are made about once a month.
Visits were again made to hospitals to maintain the fullest
co-operation, and information is given on page 55k In addition
I have continued to meet the Almoner of Connaught Hospital
fortnightly and I am most grateful for the help she has given.