London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hammersmith 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith.
This page requires JavaScript
FAMILY PLANNING
The Council continued to implement the provisions of the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act
1967, through the Agency of the Family Planning Association. The Council reviewed the scheme in April and
decided that a totally free scheme (including a domiciliary service) should be provided for men and women.
Plan 4 of the Family Planning Agency scheme was therefore adopted; this came into effect during May and
provides for free consultation and supplies to all Hammersmith residents, the Council meeting the cost on a
per capita basis. Under the previous scheme (Plan 5) consultation had been given.without charge to applicants
but contraceptive supplies were chargeable except in cases of medical need or social hardship, where the cost
was met by the Council.
The following table lists the Family Planning Clinics held within the Borough and sets out figures of new
patients and attendances. Figures for the previous year are given in brackets. It is apparent that the inception
of free and comprehensive service in May has since resulted in a 50% increase in new cases:
Statistics
| Clinic | New Clients Including FPA Transfers | Total Visits | Cytology | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becklow Gardens | 251 | (241) | 1078 | (837) | 75 | (143) |
| Glenthorne Road | 358 | (210) | 1516 | (1039) | 203 | (283) |
| Greyhound Road | 197 | (151) | 1021 | (978) | 133 | (142) |
| The Grove | 191 | 841 | (826) | 140 | (143) | |
| Parsons Green | 854 | (802) | 4292 | (3291) | 723 | (758) |
| West London Hospital | 627 | (602) | 3207 | (3140) | 220 | (395) |
| Westway | 198 | (109) | 408 | (408) | 161 | (100) |
| Shepherds Bush | 641 | - | 1172 | - | 276 | - |
| TOTAL | 3,316 | (2,321) | 13,535 | (10,519) | 1,931 | (1,964) |
The age classification of individual clients dealt with at Family Planning Clinics is set out below:-
| Age Group | Full Service (including free supplies) |
|---|---|
| Under 20 | 614 |
| 20 - 24 | 1455 |
| 25 - 29 | 845 |
| 30 - 34 | 200 |
| Over 35 | 202 |
| TOTAL | 3316 |
The Family Planning Association opened a new clinic and information centre at 160, Shepherds Bush
Road, W.6. during May, making a total number of eight clinics covering the Borough.
Domiciliary cases numbered 62 to whom a total of 430 visits were made. A considerable number of
Hammersmith residents attended Family Planning Association Clinics elsewhere in London, these too were
paid for by the Council.
The Council also decided to meet the cost of Family Planning prescriptions issued by general practitioners
and dispensed at Family Planning Clinics. By the end of the year 778 prescriptions had been issued. In
addition, free supplies had been issued at these Clinics, on demand, to 101 persons, under arrangements
approved by the Council.
C9