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103
Periodical conferences at Divisional Headquarters with the various grades of
staff employed at outside establishments have proved most valuable, not only in
resolving difficulties and introducing improvements but in getting the staff to " think
Divisionally."
All establishments are visited regularly by members of the Divisional Health
Committee and their reports have greatly assisted in maintaining a high standard of
service to the public.
Division 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham.
Dr. H. D. Chalke reports :
The two boroughs differ widely in character. There is a considerable industrial
area in North Camberwell, whilst the South-East portion of the borough is residential
and is much more thinly populated. Lewisham which is mainly a dormitory borough,
has a little light industry only. The London County Council housing estates at
Bellingham and Downham are within the Lewisham borough boundary.
The Division suffered severely from enemy bombing, which involved damage to
or destruction of many premises formerly in use as welfare centres.
Premises.—A large number of welfare centres are held in church halls, particularly
the infant welfare centres under the control of voluntary bodies, of which there are
7 in Lewisham. The church hall is generally ill-adapted for use as a clinic, and every
endeavour is being made to find alternative accommodation. The Council has made
available 2 ground floor flats on the new Flower House Estate for use as a welfare centre,
and also a former relief station in Camberwell. Additional accommodation has also
been obtained at Louise House, Forest Hill, where the upper floor is now being made
available for clinic purposes. These premises will be used as soon as the necessary
works have been completed. A new school treatment centre is being opened in the
near future at Gordon Road. This will replace the somewhat unsatisfactory premises
in use previously. A school treatment centre has also been opened at Comber Road
School.
Clinics.—Ante-natal clinics, which London County Council and District Nursing
Association midwives attend, have been set up throughout the Division. Routine
blood examination (including the Rh. factor) of expectant mothers is carried out at a
number of these clinics, and is rapidly being extended to the remainder.
A satisfactory working arrangement exists with hospitals in the Division, whereby
expectant mothers may be confined in hospital for non-medical reasons when the
social circumstances warrant it. Vaccination clinics have been established at 4
convenient centres in the Division. It is unfortunate that the number of attendances
which was initially reasonably good, is now showing an appreciable fall. Some of
the infant welfare sessions have become rather overcrowded and additional clinics have
therefore been started. An educational session for mothers, which includes lectures
and exercises, is being commenced at the Lewisham welfare centre in addition to the
2 already established. One ante-natal clinic is being held at premises which are situated
in Division 6, near the divisional boundary. Arrangements have been made for
residents in Deptford (Division 6) to make use of the adjoining welfare centre at
Honor Oak Park.
Home Helps.—A very comprehensive and well organised home help service
existed in Lewisham before 5th July, 1948. This continues to run satisfactorily under
the local direction of an experienced organiser. The home help service in Camberwell
has been rapidly extended ; full advantage is being taken of the additional home helps
available. Close liaison is being maintained with hospital almoners, Family Welfare
and Old People's Associations and the District Nursing Associations. This is an
essential factor in a successful home help scheme. A number of home helps previously
engaged by the Camberwell Old People's Association have been taken over. The