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PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
Finsbury Health Centre (Section 21 National Health Service Act, 1946)
These premises which were transferred to the Borough on the 1st April, 1965, were
previously used as the administrative centre of the Public Health Services of the
former Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury, and by the Regional Hospital Board and the
former London County Council for services transferred to those bodies under the
National Health Service Act, 1946.
As a result of the London Government re-organisation, certain changes took place
in the use of the premises and, at the aid of the year under review, the user was as
follows: -
The Regional Hospital Board continued to occupy the portions of the building in
which were housed the department of physical medicine, the pathological laboratory
and the chest clinic. The Inner London Executive Council continued to occupy the
portion of the building in which was situated the general dental service clinic. The
remainder of the premises were occupied by the London Borough of Islington for the
purpose of a foot clinic, school dental clinic, mental health section (including a
'day centre' for the mentally ill), bathing and cleansing stations, and disinfection
and disinfestation services, including rodent control.
Care of Mothers and Voung Children (Section 22, National Health Service Act, 1946)
Maternity & Child Welfare Centres The welfare centre continued to be the focal point
of the services for the care of mothers and young children. Ante-natal clinics providei
care throughout pregnancy and advice was given whether home or hospital confinement
was arranged. Domiciliary midwives attended patients booked for home confinement
throughout their pregnancies. At 6 centres, 14 G.P.O's attended regular sessions at
which they saw their own booked patients and others with the consent of their doctors.
At another centre, an ante-natal session for patients booked for St. Bartholomew's
Hospital was taken by a consultant from the hospital. After confinement mothers were
invited to attend post-natal clinics unless they preferred to be examined by their
own doctors. The children were seen regularly by the doctor and health visitor. For
the benefit of working mothers, evening ante-natal and child welfare sessions were held
at two centres. The full range of national welfare foods was available, and simple
medicaments and nutrients were provided according to an approved list on the doctor's
recommendation. Immunisation and vaccination were arranged (see page65). If at any
time any condition was noted in mother or child which called for treatment referral
was made to the family doctor or hospital as appropriate.
Attendances at the clinic during the first months of a child's life were generally
maintained, but decreased after the first birthday. From the age of one year to school
entry every child was given the opportunity to attend a toddlers' session, at regular
intervals. From the very beginning a close watch was kept for the early detection of
any actual err potential handicap, either physical or mental, in all children. Fuller
details of the attention given to handicapped children are set out later in this
report (p. 70 ). Dental statistics are included in the Chief Dental Officer's report
(p. 75 - 76).