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MISCELLANEOUS
ADOPTION AND BOARDING-OUT
The number of medical reports received from the Children's Officer in 1968 relating
to prospective adopters and to children proposed for adoption and boarding out continued
at the same level as in the previous year. These reports are examined by a senior medical
officer for possible medical contra-indications to the intended arrangements and, where
necessary, additional information is sought from hospitals and general practitioners.
During the year, 26 children were considered suitable for adoption and 31 for
boarding-out. Similar recommendations were made on 22 prospective adopters. However,
one child was considered medically unsuitable for adoption and two prospective adopters
were considered medically unsuitable to adopt children.
In addition, many enquiries were carried out at the request of the Children's Officer
for information appertaining to initial applications from persons wishing to adopt or foster
a child.
CH1LDRENS AND WELFARE COMMITTEES ESTABLISHMENTS
Part-time visiting medical officers hold appointments at residential nurseries, and at
large and small homes for children, the aged and infirm, homeless family units, etc. A
senior medical officer exercised general medical supervision of the establishments and gave
special attention to short-stay accommodation for homeless families.
THE SOUTH EAST LONDON GENERAL PRACTITIONER'S CENTRE
I—General
After working at the Centre since its inception in 1961, Brigadier H.L.Glyn Hughes
retired on 31st December, 1968. His untiring efforts and enthusiasm have created a wonderful
spirit of friendship between general practitioners and, because of his work at the Centre
affording increased facilities to general practice, standards have definitely been raised. Dr.
B.H.Pentney, the former Secretary of the Medical Staff Committee, has been appointed as
the new Director commencing 1st January, 1969.
As in previous years the volume of work carried out has shown an upward trend and
the number of general practitioners using the Centre has increased from 272 in 1967 to
287. The pattern of work has remained the same as in 1967 due to the lack of space which
limits any expansion of the services.
Visits
There were the usual number of visits to the Centre throughout the year. Both
individuals and parties came for instruction and information including nurses, health visitors,
students, matrons and hospital administrators. It is worth recording that when lecturing
to student nurses it is obvious that the greatest benefit must accrue to the groups who
have already completed two years of their training, as by this time, they have been able to
absorb the work of the National Health Service in its various aspects and are therefore more
able to appreciate the ideals and results of the work carried out at this Centre.
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