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The need to expand the health visitor's work to make her a true family adviser as
envisaged by the National Health Service Act has been constantly kept in mind and efforts
to foster her increasing co-operation with other members of the health services have
continued. Early in the year, the British Medical Association published a statement
which urged closer personal co-operation between general practitioners and health visitors
in the interests of the patients. This lead was greatly welcomed by the department, and
was discussed, first at the informal Medical Liaison Committee and later at the Local
Medical Committee. The desirability of such co-operation found unanimous support and
subsequently a circular letter was sent to general practitioners over the joint signatures
of the Chairman of the Local Medical Committee and the Medical Officer of Health. This
letter gave information about the health visitors' training and functions and suggested
ways in which she might be of help to the doctor in the care of his patients, within the
scope of the normal duties she now carried. Doctors have been invited to seek the assistance
of health visitors who in turn have been asked to visit general practitioners when the
occasion arises in relation to families whom the doctors attend. In this way, it is hoped
that a friendly and effective partnership will be formed from which the citizens of the
Borough will derive great benefit.
Two health visitors have been trained in diabetic work and have attended the clinic
for diabetics held at the outpatient department of the Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford.
One has attended for the whole of the year, the other since October. Their duties include
detailed explanation to the patients of the doctor's instructions on the management of their
illness, teaching the technique of insulin injections and of suitable diets and menus. The
aim is to make the diabetic patient self-reliant, and the great advantage of employing health
visitors in this type of work is that they can continue their supervision in the patients'
own homes, visiting as may be needed to discuss further questions of diet and management.
114 patients have been visited during the year, and a total of 478 visits made.
Towards the end of the year talks were held with the Senior Medical Officer of
Langthorne Hospital with a view to establishing liaison between the Geriatric Unit and the
Local Health Authority's services for old people. The details have yet to be worked out,
but this promises to be a most interesting and useful extension of the health visitor's
work.
The liaison arrangements between the health visiting service and the children's
wards at 3 local hospitals have continued smoothly and with benefit to all concerned. The
health visitors who undertake these duties for a period of 6 months, look forward eagerly to
the privilege, and learn much from the paediatricians. The knowledge and experience which
they gain in this way is of inestimable value in their work among children.
Health Education.
The Central Council for Health Education arranged an excellent two day course on the
"Prevention of Non-Tuberculous Respiratory Diseases in Childhood" in January 1954. By
courtesy of the Warden of the Mansfield House Settlement, this was held at Fairbairn Hall,
310 Barking Road, Plaistow, E.13., and was attended by 43 people on the first day and 47 on
the second. Although the bulk of the participants were health visitors, there were a number
of medical officers, school nurses, midwives, nursery staff and sanitary inspectors. We
were particularly pleased to welcome Mr. H.R. England, Consultant Obstetrician to Forest Gate
Hospital, and several members of the staff of local hospitals, nursing agencies and
neighbouring local authorities. The course was most stimulating, instructive and enjoyable,
and it is hoppd that the Central Council will be able to offer us similar courses on other
subjects.
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