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Health Visitor Problem Family Case Conferences
These Conferences became recognised as the Health Department's machinery for
planning co-ordinated action and care for problem families. The Conferences were held
monthly and 42 families were discussed. Apart from the regular Committee members, (health
visitors, nursing officers and the Senior Medical Officer) visitors included the Medical
Officer of Health, Assistant Medical Officers, Chief Public Health Inspector, the Home Help
Organiser, the Psychiatric Social Worker, N.S.P.C.C. Inspector, Children's Officer staff
and others.
Rehabilitation and support for the families was planned in a variety of ways.
Twelve families had special help given either by the provision of a home help or day
nursery attendance at reduced cost, or the permanent loan or use of household equipment.
Amongst these were two families who were provided with paint and distemper for interior
decorating which was carried out by the father of the family in each case.
Caseworker for Families
As a result of reports submitted to the Health Committee efforts were made towards
the end of the year to obtain a health visitor who would specialise in casework for problem
families.
Co-ordinating Committee
The District Health Visitors attended so as to be able to report personally on
their families and to join in the ensuing discussion. Many of these families had already
been the subject of a "Problem Family Conference".
Health Education
A special feature of this year's Annual Report is "Health Education" (as requested
by the Ministry of Health). The details of the health visitors, contribution will be
found in another section of this report.
In addition to their usual activities the health visitors, stimulated by the
success of their leaflet "Happy Weaning", produced last year, have followed it by one
entitled "To Ladies in Waiting" for expectant mothers and are now planning another for
expectant fathers.
Health Visitors' participation in the Training of Student Nurses and Others.
Throughout the year health visitors participated in the programmes of practical
experience arranged for students by the Health Department. These included student nurses
from both general and mental hospitals, nursery nurse students and others. The student
nurses came from Whipps Cross Hospital, the Forest Gate Combined Training School and the
South Ockendon Hospital.
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