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General Practitioner Attachments
At the end of the year arrangements had been completed for the
attachment of staff to 69 general practitioners within 24 practices.
Training of Health Visitor Students
Four health visitor students were sponsored for training in 1971.
Two are undertaking their course at Croydon Technical College and
two at Chiswick Poytechnic. If successful they will join the health
visiting staff in September, 1972.
Eight health visitor students received their practical training in
the Borough during the year, and the four students sponsored by
Merton, together with another student released by her sponsoring
authority, undertook their period of supervised practice.
Post Registration Training
Management courses were completed by three nursing officers.
Three health visitors attended post-certificate refresher courses,
and a number of other health visitors attended professional study days.
Ten staff were given in-service training on screening infants for
possible deafness. This test is conducted on all infants at about the age
of seven months.
Geriatric Health Visiting
The specialist geriatric health visitor is an important member of
the geriatric team led by the Consultant Geriatrician. She plays an
important role in acting as a liaison between the hospital, general
practitioner and local authority services. In the latter part of the year
a second health visitor joined the staff, but unfortunately, for domestic
reasons, left after a short time.
Health Education
The demands for health education in High and Middle Schools
by health visitors continues to increase. In 1970 there were 101
teaching sessions undertaken, and the full demand could not be met.
In 1971 there were 150 sessions held and still the requests received
exceeded staff availability. These sessions require much time devoted
to them not only in their giving, but in the preparation and collection
of teaching material and visual aids that will stimulate and maintain
the interest of this age group.
The attendances at preparation for childbirth classes remain high
and the evening parenteral classes continue to be very popular. Here
both husband and wife can, together, receive guidance and reassurance
about their future roles as parents.
Visiting Hospital Staff
The number of visitors to the Department from hospitals continues
to rise, imposing a considerable additional burden on already
busy members of staff. It is, however, essential that trainee staff in
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