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104
However, a number of groups remain unconvinced of the need
for family planning, maintaining that there are untapped world
resources sufficient to support the expected population growth.
That such resources exist cannot be denied but, unfortunately,
there is always a "time lag" between the possible and the practical,
and the geometrical progression of increasing population is unlikely
to allow these two to coincide. It follows that, as with food,
so with housing, medical, social and other personal and public
services.
Family planning affords relief from the economic consequences
of a family too large for parents to handle and amelioration of
the tensions, ill-temper, neuroses and mental disability born of
fatigue, frustration, anxiety and depression all too frequently met
with in the prolific household. Other advantages accruing from
planned parenthood are, less "problem" families and a corresponding
reduction in demands made on the health, welfare and social
services, the financial savings on which could be substantial.
Family planning has been a constant feature of this Council's
health services for almost half a century and, in collaboration with
the Walworth Women's Welfare Centre, a Birth Control Clinic
was established in the Borough as early as 1934.
Today, in accordance with the National Health Service (Family
Planning) Act, 1967, the Family Planning Association is used by
the Council as its agent. No fees are paid by any patient for
medical advice and/or examination and no charges are made for
drugs and appliances supplied to medically or socially necessitous
cases.
Increasing use is being made by all classes, including immigrants
of various nationalities, of the family planning facilities
provided in the Borough. Under present arrangements trained
visitors from the association give information to maternity cases
at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies and at the St.
Nicholas and Military Hospitals and, when requested, make
appointments to be taken up by mothers on their discharge.
The scheme also provides facilities at Langton Way Welfare
Centre for young persons over 16 years of age to discuss their
emotional, moral and sexual problems with experienced advisers.
During the current year, expenditure by the Council on family
planning amounted to £16,173. Compared with the figures for
1969, new patients increased by almost 17% to 1,729 and attendances
by 20% to a total of 13,154.
As the service is already fully extended the need for expansion
is becoming pressing. Hitherto, financial support by the Council
has been in the form of an annual grant but this has proved to
be unsatisfactory and other methods of payment are being explored.