Rachael Hearson, 59, has had a 40-year long career as an NHS nurse, midwife and health visitor. She has now shared some of the most memorable moments of her work in her book Handle With Care: Confessions of an NHS Health Visitor.

Among them is the time she met a couple who had been ‘married for years’ and were waiting for children to ‘come along’. Rachael explained that the GP then deduced the pair ‘didn’t know how to make babies’ and it was left up to her to ‘ensure they did’.

She continued: ‘They genuinely thought babies arrived as a result of simply “being married” and had no clue. Teaching someone about sex is quite a responsibility. But within a couple of visits, the pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other.’

Rachael’s career also saw her unwittingly visit a brothel during a routine assessment of an 18-month-old baby’s development. She told The Sunday Mirror: ‘I was carrying the obligatory scales and assorted toys when I knocked at the door.

‘I was ushered through to the kitchen, where I passed by the parlour room on the left, generally used as a dining room in the other terraced houses on the street. This one, however, was clearly “the boudoir” occupied by a double bed and a couple “at it”.’

Rachael even said the child had been holding onto a ‘gentleman’s magazine’ during her assessment of him, but said he appeared to be ‘loved and happy’. She added: ‘I have visited much worse, believe me.’

During another visit, she saw a dad masturbate on the sofa while she discussed the sex offenders’ course both he and his girlfriend were taking. She was in conversation with the woman when she spotted ‘some movement’ out the corner of her eye.

She then realised what the ‘unmistakable rhythmic wrist action’ was, but said shockingly his girlfriend did not acknowledge the situation.

While during a visit to a homeless shelter, a man walked in holding a ‘very long knife’ and began swearing at her. She later found herself recounting the incident to the police.

Describing her role as a health visitor, Rachael said they deal in the ‘full human experience’. She continued: ‘Sat on your sofa, we might look as though we’ve never had a real experience in our lives.

‘But believe me, we’ve secured more refuge places for those fleeing violence – even helped them pack their bags – and seen more drug-addicted parents with their newborns than you can shake a stick at.’