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116
Care and
after-care
Close liaison continued with the chest physicians at the two chest clinics in the
Division regarding the care and after-care of the tuberculous. A Tuberculosis Care
Committee functioned in each borough. Where necessary, the Council provided
home helps, extra nourishment, and beds and bedding, to the tuberculous. Occupational
therapy in the form of handicraft classes was also provided.
Health
education
Much attention was given to health propaganda. A film strip projector and
suitable film-strips provided a popular adjunct to the health teaching given at the
welfare centres. Mothercraft classes were held by nursing staff in schools. Numerous
talks on general health topics were given by the medical and nursing staff of the
Division.
General
The demands on the divisional staff have been very heavy and it is a pleasure
to record the splendid way in which they have played their part during this very
difficult period. The co-operation of the medical officers of health of Camberwell
and Lewisham has proved invaluable, as has also that of the staffs of the hospitals,
the medical practitioners and the members of voluntary organisations in the Division.
Division 8, comprising the boroughs of Bermondsey, Lambeth and Southwark.
Dr. W. H. S. Wallace reports:—
Administration
The administration of the health services in the Division was carried out from
the Divisional Health Office at 128 Brook Drive, S.E.ll, with a sub-office in each
borough. The work ran smoothly once the initial difficulties of the transfer had been
overcome.
Maternity
and
child welfare
A new welfare centre situated on the ground floor of a new block of flats, Purser
House, Tulse Hill, was opened by the Chairman of the Health Committee (Mr.
Reginald A. Stamp) on 16th September. Ante-natal, post-natal, infant, toddlers,
immunisation, artificial sunlight and massage clinics are held at the centre. The
Family Planning Association also hold a clinic on one evening a week.
A re-arrangement of the districts served by centres made possible the closing
in September of the centre at 56 Lambeth Road.
The policy of providing special ante-natal sessions for domiciliary midwives has
been continued and new sessions are started at Gomm House, at St. Anne's and at
Tulse Hill centres. Where possible these sessions are held at the same time as a
doctor's session so that mothers can be referred to the doctor if any difficulty arises.
Infectious
diseases
The outbreak of diphtheria which occurred in Bermondsey in June and July
(see p. 22) led to a great demand for immunisation. From the time of the epidemic
to the end of the year 2,500 children were immunised and over 4,000 schoolchildren
received "booster" doses.
School
clinics
New agreements are being made with the voluntary bodies who are still carrying
on the administration of the school treatment centres in the Division. The committees
of the Stockwell Centre in Lambeth and the Dockhead Centre in Bermondsey decided
to give up their work and these centres are now administered directly from the
divisional office.
Home
nursing
The District Nursing Associations continued to administer the Home Nursing
Service and there is still a great need for more district nurses. Some male district
nurses have been appointed and their work has been most valuable in the special
cases in which their services are required.
Day
nurseries
and childminders
Large numbers of applications for admission of children to day nurseries are
still being received. Priorities were given in accordance with the Health Committee
instructions but there were still waiting lists even for priority cases. The position
was helped by an increase in the number of child-minders. It was possible to place
a large number of children with child-minders in the Brixton area of Lambeth, but
in North Lambeth and Southwark there was difficulty in meeting the demand.