View report page

RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
These are provided on medical recommendation for persons who have recently been
under medical treatment and who need rest, fresh air and good food. Persons in need
of supervision or medical and nursing care require convalescence which is the responsibility
of the appropriate Hospital Board. Arrangements are made for adults,
expectant mothers and nursing mothers, and children under five years, not attending
school. Children of school age are dealt with under arrangements provided by
the I.L.E.A.
A weekly charge is made for adults according to their financial circumstances and
there is a small charge for children under five not attending school.
The number arranged during 1968 was as follows:—

SURVEYS
Nursing staff in the Health Department co-operated in two new surveys during the
year, namely a Medical Research Council follow-up of mothers who have given
birth to children with anencephaly or spina bifida cystica and a Ministry of Health
survey into sub-clinical anaemia and vitamin D deficiency. Work in the following four
surveys, which were started earlier, continued during the year:—
Survey of Childhood Cancers—Dept. of Social Medical Medicine, Oxford University;
National Survey of Health and Development—Medical Research Council;
Care of Children with Spina Bifida—Greater London Council Research and
Intelligence Unit;
Virus Aetiology in Mental Deficiency—Dept. of Microbiology, St. George's Hospital
Medical School.
FAMILY PLANNING
Following the passing of the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1967,
consultations were held with the Family Planning Association and agreement was
reached on a scheme, which came into force on 1st April, 1968, whereby the Association
acts as agents of the Council for the provision of a family planning clinical service.
Under this arrangement no charges are made for advice or examination or for supplies
in medical or necessitous non-medical cases, and the Council makes premises available
and makes an annual deficiency grant to the Association.
This arrangement with the Family Planning Association made possible a significant
expansion of the number of weekly sessions held in Health Department premises and
at the end of the year sessions were being held at the following centres:—
Central Lewisham 2
Amersham Road 1
Speedwell 1
Louise House 3
Flower House 3
Downham 1
Spalding House 1
27