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Section 24. HEALTH VISITING
Health Education Programme At each clinic every opportunity is
given to parents to discuss matters concerning the health and welfare
of their families with the health visitor.
Talks have been given either individually or collectively by
discussion group. Much emphasis is laid on the necessity for
protection against infectious illness by vaccination and immunisation,
otherwise many apathetic parents would not avail themselves of this
service for their children.
Classes of instruction in mothercraft and relaxation were held
weekly at the clinics. Attendance figures however appear to have
fallen recently, which is rather surprising in view of the continued
high birth rate.
Similar classes were given weekly to expectant mothers in
residence at 'Carville' , which is the local home for mothers and babies
administered by the Walthamstow Branch of the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral
Welfare Association.
Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital include the health visitor as a
speaker each month in their ante natal class health education programme
to explain the professional services which she can offer.
In the secondary modern schools, senior girls continue to enjoy
the parentcraft courses arranged for them. Unfortunately, owing to
staff shortages, we are unable to meet the demand for health education
to the younger age groups
Several health talks have been given to outside organisations e.g.
young wives clubs, church groups and voluntary organisations. Lectures
on the social aspects of disease and the Public Health Service were
again given to student nurses in their final year of training at the
Connaught Hospital.
Occasional films have been shown in the evenings to adult groups
giving parents the opportunity to put forward their views and join
together in discussion.
Home Visiting Programme - in recent times, the changing trend has been
toward more selective visiting, enabling the health visitor to offer
her services where the need is greatest. Apart from the routine work
connected with mothers and young children, this type of visiting has
included an increasing number of problems connected with early mental
ill health and to those of the elderly. These naturally are of a time
consuming nature, but have proved to be far more effective and satisfying
to the recipient and health visitor alike.
Many students of various nationalities from universities,
colleges, hospitals and other training centres nave accompanied the
health visitor in her work in order to gain knowledge concerning the
Public Health and Welfare Services.