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One health visitor attended the Refresher Course during the year, and arrangements were
made for 2 of the more senior health visitors to commence a part-time course in Parentcraft
in January, 1954.
The liaison arrangements between the health visiting service and the children's wards
in hospitals to which most of the sick children in West Ham are admitted, have continued to
function smoothly, to the benefit of the children and all concerned.
The partnership between the hospitals and the Local Health Authority has been extended
to the care of diabetics. In October, 1953, a proposal was received from No. 9 Group Hospital
Management Committee, suggesting that Health Visitors should be trained in diabetic work and
co-operate in the education of diabetic patients in the new way of life, which is essential
to their welfare. The health visitors' proposed duties were set out as follows:-
The health visitors would:-
1. Attend the clinic which is in charge of the Diabetic Physician.
2. Visit patients in their own homes to continue education.
3. Co-operate with the district nurses attending patients with complications.
4. Pay special attention tos:-
(a) the child diabetic
(b) the pregnant diabetic and diabetic mother
(c) the tuberculous diabetic
(d) the aged diabetics, who find hospital attendance in the winter months a great strain
(e) liaison between patient, general practitioner and hospital department.
This proposal was accepted by the Council, 2 Health Visitors were selected for the
work, and 1 commenced attending occasional sessions at the diabetic department of King's
College Hospital in December, 1953, In order to become familiar with this type of work.
SECTION 25: HOME NURSING.
Municipal Home Nursing Staff on 31st December, 1953.
2 S.R.N.)
employed full-time.
1 S.C.M.
8 S.R.N. ) employed part-time.
5 S.E.A.N.) average 24 hours weekly.