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52
WORK OF HEALTH VISITORS.
The first Health Visitor was appointed in Ilford in June,
1909. This lady was responsible for the whole district, and
Naturally the work she was able to do was of a very limited scope.
In 1916 two nurses were appointed as Health Visitors and School
Nurses. In 1917 these were increased to three. In 1919 the
number was still further increased to four, one of whom is, however,
almost entirely occupied with School Medical work.
The work of the Infant Welfare Centres is increasing to such
an extent that when the Ante-Natal Clinics are in working order
it is doubtful if the present staff will be able to cope with the
work.
The area is divided into three districts, for each of which one
Health Visitor is responsible. She visits the home three weeks
after the birth of a child where a doctor is in attendance, or 10
to 14 days if a midwife has attended the confinement.
Subsequent visits are paid according to the condition of the
child and the circumstances of the parents.
The most satisfactory plan is to visit infants—
Under 1 year, once a month.
Under 2 years, once a quarter.
Under 5 years, once in 6 months.
but with the present staff it has not been possible to carry this out
completely.
In 1919 the following visits were paid:—
First Visits 1,195
Subsequent (to children under 1 year of
age) 2,861
Subsequent (to children over 1 year
age) 4,133
An important work which I hope the Health Visitors will be
able to extend still further is that of visits of advice to expectant
mothers. This will be correlated with that of the Ante-Natal
Clinics.