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and child welfare) to this centre as an honorary research fellow part-time with the duty of
co-ordinating, on behalf of the borough, our work on handicapped children and young persons
with that of the hospital. This will ensure that specialist advice will be readily obtainable
from local hospitals, and in particular from the special clinic at 'the London'.
The setting up of health centres, including the provisionally planned Watney Street
centre, has been delayed in part by economic conditions affecting the speed of general
redevelopment of areas.
The designation of St. Clement's Hospital, in addition to Mile End Hospital, to the
London Hospital creates a group combining teaching, district hospital and mental health
functions within the borough. Close liaison already exists with the parent hospital with some
conjoint appointments and the integrated use of staff in certain fields. Further impetus to
this relationship will follow after consideration of the recommendations in the Seebohm report
and the 'Green Paper' of the Minister of Health both due to be published in 1968.
FAMILY PLANNING
The provisions of the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act 1967 were accepted in
full by the health committee, and endorsed by the Council to be put into operation as soon as
possible. Discussions took place with the Family Planning Association at the latter end of
the year to this end and for an extension of the services in the borough. All the provisions
of the Act were to be operated from 1st January 1968 with the Council accepting financial
responsibility for the Family Planning Association's increased work, on an agency basis. In
addition, a domiciliary family planning service has commenced by borough field staff, acting
in liaison with the Family Planning Association.
DRUG ADDICTION
Following the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Drug Addiction, the
Minister of Health in Circulars 21/67 and H.M.(67)83 gave guidance on rehabilitation and after
care of heroin addicts. As a consequence, special facilities were set up, both for in-patients
and out-patients, at designated hospitals of which there is one in the borough, St. Clement's.
A limited service began toward the end of the year, pending preparations for extended provision
as from the beginning of 1968. Discussions have taken place on the role of the local health
authority's staff to ensure necessary community care. The need for a hostel providing longer
term rehabilitation, and an occupation centre, was being explored at the end of the year.
Ways of prevention, and the best approach to the problem using health education techniques
remain conjectural.
It is true, that the majority of addicts for whom the new legislation is designed are in
the younger age groups, many less than 21 years of age. Effective action may be conditional
on a change in the cultural goals of the sub-groups themselves, with at best a 'holding action'
on the part of professional groups working with them. Adolescent counselling clinics, linked
with the activities of youth workers, have been set up by a local church and a settlement in
the borough.
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