London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Brent 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]
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18
HEALTH VISITING
They were assisted in their work by clinic nurses who relieved them of much of the routine work in schools and clinics.
| Effective First Visits | Total Effective Visits | Total No-access Visits | Total Visits as School Nurse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32,492 (20,571) | 54,818 (42,545) | 12,133 (11,268) | 1,103 (2,195) |
(Figures for 1971 in brackets)
The increased demand for visits paid by the Health Visitor is partly due to the influx of Ugandan
Asians and partly due to other varying aspects of their work.
They continue to attend Case Conferences in hospitals and with other Borough services.
There were no additional attachments to general practice which remained at four—three within
Chalkhill Health Centre and one outside, but several liaisons were instigated with a view to becoming attachments
next year.
Attachments to hospitals continue to develop with an additional one at Northwick Park Hospital in
the Paediatric Unit.
In May 1972 a programme of exchange visits was commenced between Health Visitors and Ward
Sisters at Central Middlesex Hospital which proved beneficial to community and hospital staff alike.
Brent still responds to requests to take part in several surveys in association with research studies with
various authorities.
Increase in demand was made on the staff in providing students with community experience. The
Community option pilot scheme was undertaken with a view to implementing the requirements for training
of Student nurses under the new G.N.C. syllabus. During the year, the Health visiting staff accepted 305
students for observational visits. The majority of these were hospital student and pupil nurses and midwives,
the remainder being medical students and post-registration nursing students.
Training
Four student health visitors were sponsored for training for the Health Visitors' Certificate course
which commenced at Chiswick Polytechnic and North London Polytechnic.
2 Health Visitors attended H.V.A. refresher courses.
1 Health Visitor attended H.V. re-entry course.
2 Health Visitors attended Fieldwork Instructors course.
1 Health Visitor attended Inter-professional Co-operation Course at Windsor with G.P.s and Social
Workers.
Superintendent Health Visitor attended H.V.A. conference.
Number of seminar study days attended by Health Visitors and clinic nurses.
6 Health Visitors attended Management Appreciation Courses—half-day release course held at Craven
Park Health Centre for 10 weeks.