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before taking over her own district.
In view of the national shortage of practising midwives we must
count ourselves singularly fortunate at the outcome. However,
several of our present midwifery staff are also nearing retiring age,
and we shall not be permanently out of difficulty in Walthamstow
until the wider problem is solved.
Section 24. HEALTH VISITING
Expectant Mothers - First and subsequent visits to expectant
mothers again shows a considerable increase. We are greatly indebted
to the Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital for their continued co-operat
ion in respect of the expectant or nursing mother and her baby.
Requests for reports on social conditions gives the health visitor
an early and necessary opportunity of making contact with the
expectant mother.
Relaxation and Mothercraft Regular sessions continue to be held
at the four main clinics and 'Carville' Home, one health visitor
giving a series of talks over several weeks, which ensures continuity
of instruction. The value of this type of instruction and demonstrat
ion is now accepted and appreciated. Many mothers attending are
referred by their general practitioner and hospitals.
infant Welfare clinics - The mothers who bring their babies
regularly can be given guidance in management and feeding problems.
A careful check can be kept on those babies who do not make mental or
physical satisfactory progress. The doctors sessions are kept within
reasonable numbers so that an unharassed atmosphere can be created.
This is necessary to allow time to penetrate into medical problems
and give suitable advice. The health visitor whilst of necessity,
copes with large numbers, can make arrangements, where there are
special difficulties, to pay a home visit and by listening, interpreting,
encouraging and counselling seek to help. As the baby grows
older, the mothers attend the clinics less frequently. The toddler
sessions seek to obtain more regular supervision of the 2 5 age
group, and mental defects and behaviour problems can be found before
they become serious. Higher standards of health and physique among
young babies over recent years is obvious, and there is an increased
urge by parents to do their best This necessitates deep understanding,
sympathy and tact on the part of health visitors and
doctors.
Health Education in Schools The programme of health education in
secondary modern schools has continued and young mothers attending
the child welfare clinics renew their acquaintance with health
visitors from whom they have had guidance as adolescents. During the
year talks were given and in the form of exp.eriinents, simple instruct
ion was given to a group of educationally sub normal girls. Shortage
of staff and other demands made on the health visitor prevented
continuation and possible evaluation of the experiment.