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In this area one health visitor is "attached" to a practice of three doctors working from
the Hurst Road Health Centre. She is responsible for visiting and also conducts her own weekly
Infant Welfare Clinic and a Relaxation Class for expectant mothers. This pilot scheme has now
been in operation for a year and the health visitor reports that her work is more satisfying through
knowing the patient's full medical history and through the regular exchange of information with
the general practitioner, she is able to provide a more co-ordinated service. It is hoped to introduce
further schemes.
Liaison Schemes
This covers all schemes whereby health visitors and family doctors work closely and
regularly together. In this area health visitors attend weekly clinics and/or discussion groups at
22 family doctor's surgeries.
The schemes are developing in their own individual way, some have been in operation
for over 8 years and the doctors and health visitors have achieved a close partnership to the
benefit of the patients.
Throughout the area there is close co-operation with the family doctors (78% contact
health visitors fairly regularly and especially when there is a particular need). Occasionally
general practitioners will visit with the health visitor and even ask her to be present during a
domiciliary consultation with the Paediatrician or Consultant Geriatrician. In many instances the
pooling of information has led to a quicker diagnosis and treatment.
We would like to extend our schemes to include all general practitioners. However, pilot
or experimental schemes are encouraged.
We hope that in the new Health Centres the many opportunities to provide more co-ordinated
care will be used. Suggestions have been made to provide Community Care Units where general
practitioners are brought into much closer contact with specialists and specialist services.
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