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HEALTH CENTRES
The year saw the opening in October of Lewisham's first comprehensive health
centre, the Jenner Health Centre named after Dr. Edward Jenner, the pioneer
of vaccination against smallpox.
Situated in Forest Hill at the junction of Stanstead Road and Brockley Rise,
the Centre is conveniently placed for easy access by road and public transport
from all parts of the surrounding district. It has been designed to provide a full
range of health services for between twenty and twenty-five thousand people
living within an area of about one square mile, and to anticipate as far as
possible future progress in preventive and curative medicine. With new developments
and ideas the precise functions of the centre are bound to be modified and
the internal design is therefore flexible. Wherever possible partitions are non
load-bearing so that rooms can be adapted in the light of changing needs.
Natural light and ventilation have been provided for every room except in rooms
facing the main road where double glazing has been provided to reduce traffic
noise and mechanical ventilation has been installed. A special feature is the
PABX1 automatic telephone system with 10 exchange lines and up to 49 extensions.
The exchange numbers are in sequence so that any free line is automatically
found by the switchboard and callers are not frustrated or kept waiting. Internal
calls can be made from one extension to another without the intervention of the
operators and outside calls can be transferred direct between extensions or held
while the same telephone is used to make an internal call not overheard by the
caller on the exchange line. Indicator panels operated by a push button in each
doctor's surgery are provided in the waiting areas, so that he can indicate when
he is ready to see the next patient. The building is provided with oil-fired central
heating throughout and there is ample car parking space for patients, visitors and
staff.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Family Doctors
Four general medical practitioners practise from the Centre, each having his
own consulting and examination rooms. The Centre has been so designed that
other family doctors could practise from the Centre.
Treatment
In the treatment centre Health Department nursing staff carry out treatment
under the direction of the family doctors and deal with the minor ailments of
schoolchildren.
Dentistry
A general dental surgeon practises from the centre and there are also two dental
surgeries in which dentists employed jointly by the Council and the Inner London
Education Authority provide free dental treatment for schoolchildren, expectant
and nursing mothers and children under the age of five.
Health Department Clinics
Medical staff organise clinics for expectant and nursing mothers, young children,
vaccination and immunisation, cervical cytology, family planning and for medical
screening.
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