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LIAISON WITH HOSPITALS
Health visitors visit twice weekly the children's ward at Whipps Cross Hospital and act
as a link between home and hospital, supplying information to the consultant paediatrician about
the child's background, supporting the mother while the child is in hospital and when discharged
home. Weekly visits are also carried out to Langthorne and Claybury Hospitals to discuss
admissions and discharges, and the best way to assist the rehabilitation of patients.
At the special request of the matron and consultant obstetrician at Thorpe Coombe
Maternity Hospital, one health visitor attends the ante-natal booking clinic. Her duties include
advising unmarried mothers, arranging social services which may help the expectant mother and
her family, and often through this early contact, problems which may arise at a later stage can be
prevented.
The statistical tables (page 47) give a clear picture of the clinics attended and the types
of visits undertaken by the health visiting staff. The health visitors, however, are mainly
concerned with health education and social advice to encourage and promote the attainment of
complete health within the family group. To achieve this goal by home visiting alone would be
impossible, and we have undertaken group education which appears elsewhere in this report under
the heading "Health Education".
THE SOCIAL WORKERS' LUNCHEON CLUB
A club started by the health visitors had been in existence in the Lcyton area for four
years, and to judge by the continued support, it is fulfilling its aim in making known to members
in greater detail the many medical, social, educational and allied services available.
Now that the new Borough of Waltham Forest has been former, it is even more important
to do all we possibly can to exchange information on all the numerous services available in this
large Borough, and the Social Workers' Luncheon Club is serving as a meeting place for this
purpose. For greater convenience we have decided to move to a more centrally situated location,
and have been fortunate in obtaining permission to hold our functions at Lloyd Park Pavilion.
E.M.Lindsey
Superintendent Health Visitor
The Old, The Hondicapped and The Homeless
With the exception of luncheon clubs and meals-on-wheels services for these persons
were previously the responsibility of the Essex County Council, passing to the London Borough
of Waltham Forest on the 1st April 1965.
Severe shortage of social welfare officers during the year has meant that immediate
attention could not be given to all who applied for services. It is hoped that this situation will
improve as suitably trained and/or experienced staff are appointed.
It is a statutory obligation on the Council to provide temporary accommodation for persons
in need thereof. During the period under review three families were given overnight care whilst
their furniture and bedding, etc., were dried out as the result of flooding during heavy storms and
burst drains. Accommodation was also provided for families made homeless as the result of
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