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Co-operation with Hospitals and General Practitioners
In order to effect close co-operation and liaison with hospital consultants and
general practitioners, the following advisory committees exist to assist me on aspects
of community health care in their particular field:
Psychiatric
Geriatric
Chest Physicians
Pathological
General Practitioners
Paediatric
Obstetric and Gynaecological
Venereal Disease Consultant Advisers
A further committee under my chairmanship, the Community Health Service
Liaison Committee of Southwark, is comprised of general practitioners and principal
officers of the Health Department, whose task is to assess the value of requests from
medical research groups and of health surveys and is also concerned with other health
matters of a general nature affecting general practitioners and the community.
Hilda Lewis Unit
The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospital opened the Hilda Lewis Unit in
August 1970, to meet the needs of severely subnormal children. The majority of children
treated live in the Camberwell area. The unit undertakes the assessment of children
under the age of 16 years, particularly catering for children with behaviour
problems. It is a valuable addition to the provisions for these children and has
enabled many children to remain within the education system.
The children are admitted for short term care, as weekly boarders or attend daily.
When necessary transport is provided.
There is a multi-disciplinary approach, with a child psychiatrist, consultant
paediatrician, community doctor, psychologist, occupational therapist, teachers,
nursing and child care staff. One of my Principal Medical Officers who has an Honorary
Senior Registrar appointment with the Bethlem Royal & Maudsley Hospital is in
attendance at the unit.
Family Planning
A family planning service in full implementation of the National Health Service
(Family Planning) Act, 1967 continued to be provided on the following basis:
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