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29
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
In July, 1948, as a result of the passing of the National Health Service Act, 1946, the personal
health services which had been operated by the Metropolitan Borough Councils since the early 1900s,
were transferred to the London County Council.
In April, 1965, as a result of the reorganization of London Government, under the London Government
Act, 1963, the personal health services were transferred to the new London Borough Councils,
formed in the majority of cases by the amalgamation of two or more boroughs. The City of Westminster
is now one of the 174 local health authorities in the country responsible for providing its own personal
health services.
The pattern of the services taken over from the County Council has been continued virtually unchanged
so far, although an objective examination of the services provided at each of the various
Health Department centres which is being undertaken will result in some improvements and better
use of available premises and staff. The principal benefit from the local control of these services has
been the ability to make innovations to meet local needs, and this will clearly be of prime importance
to the residents of Westminster in the years to come.
Care of Mothers and Young Children
Maternal and child welfare services are provided at thirteen centres in Westminster, and a complete
list of premises and details of sessions held are set out in Table 29, pages 65 and 66.
All the nursing staff (Centre Superintendents, Health Visitors, School Nursing Sisters, School Nurses,
and Clinic Nurses) work from the Maternal and Child Welfare Centres, and the change from control
by the County Council to the City Council did not disturb either the staff or the residents of the areas
served, and there was no disruption of the services provided.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Miss E. A. Evans, reports as follows on the work undertaken in her section
during 1965:—
After some months of experience in the new arrangements, it became clear that a minor reorganization
of the senior nursing structure was necessary.
The aim was the integration of the work of supervisory nursing staff and this required three
Assistant Nursing Officers acting under the Chief Nursing Officer, who could take part in the administration
of Home Nursing, Health Visiting and Day Nursery services. In-service training in Home
Nursing duties was arranged for two existing Assistant Nursing Officers and a third Assistant Nursing
Officer experienced in Home Nursing and Midwifery was appointed later in the year. All three of
these officers hold their Health Visitors' certificate. One midwife and one district nurse were also
given special responsibility for routine work in both branches of the service and a responsibility
allowance was granted to them, thus creating opportunities for promotion within the service. This
re-arrangement has worked satisfactorily with benefit to the sections concerned.
Attention was also paid to the problem of small centres where only two health visitors operate and
where relief and replacement is very difficult. It was decided to combine the work of the Middlesex
Hospital Centre and Marshall Street Centre so that adequate cover could be arranged for times of
sickness and annual leave for both centres.
There were the usual frequent changes in Clinic Nurses and this appears to be the current trend.
Young State Registered Nurses move, on marriage or for other reasons, to different areas despite
encouragment to stay by the senior nursing staff. Fortunately two clinic nurses decided to take the
Health Visitor training and were accepted by Battersea College of Technology and the Institute of
Education, London University. They will become valuable members of the team on completion of
training because of their previous experience as Clinic Nurses.
Refresher Courses
The pattern of refresher courses followed by the London County Council has been continued and
all nursing staff have been kept up to date with new developments.
The Training Council for Health Visitors
This Council has recommended that health visitors undertaking practical work instruction of
health visitor students at field level should have special training to do so. Various colleges, Battersea
College of Technology (which has now obtained University recognition), the Royal College of Nursing
and other colleges recommended by the London Boroughs Training Committee, have provided
courses over the year. Two health visitors completed this instruction and have assisted admirably in
the training of students. Practical experience is provided in the City for health visitor students from
various colleges, bringing stimulation and interest to the training staff.