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P.T.A.P. and Formol Toxoid (as it became available), and discontinuance of the
use of the combined diphtheria and whooping cough antigen.
School
health
services
An improved service was provided by the opening of half-time clinics as
follows:—Woolwich and Charlton—Maryon Park School; Plumstead—Garland Road
maternity and child welfare centre; Eltham—Rusthall Lodge Centre and Ealdham
Square School.
At the Reginald Square school treatment centre (Deptford Voluntary Committee),
four orthoptic sessions a week were established, two to run concurrently
with refraction clinics. There is close liaison in this work with the Eye Department
of the Miller General Hosnital.
Chiropody
Better accommodation for chiropody was provided (1) at the Health Centre,
Amersham Road (5 chairs), by transfer from Deptford Chest Clinic and (2) at 105,
Shooter's Hill Road. Greenwich. The number of treatments increased from 54,000
to 65,141 a year. The special Saturday morning sessions for the treatment of warts on
the feet and other foot conditions in school children proved of great value.
Home help
service
This service continued to expand although at a slackening pace. Over the year
the number of persons attended increased from 875 on 1st January to 1,200 on
31st December and home helps from the equivalent of 150 whole-time staff to 190.
Approximately 75 per cent. of the people assisted were elderly, many in circumstances
which provide scope for voluntary help in neighbourly tasks: the fetching
of library books is instanced. A scheme was accordingly introduced, with the cooperation
of voluntary agencies, whereby the home help organisers pass the names
of such persons to the secretary of the nearest voluntary body participating in the
sohemp
Medical
research
In addition to working on national surveys, the staff of the division have assisted
with 264 cases included in the County investigation into the causes of still-births
and neo-natal deaths.
Premises
Amenities were increased by minor alterations to buildings, the redecoration
of four centres, and the improvement of grounds.
Division 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham.
Dr. H. D. Chalke reports:—
• Premises
Early in the year the Downham Health Centre (rebuilt after destruction by
enemy action) and premises on the Flower House Estate became available. The
former, which is managed by a voluntary committee, provides school treatment,
dental services, infant welfare clinics (also under the direction of a voluntary committee)
and ante-natal and exercise sessions. Both these centres have proved
welcome additions to the personal health service amenities available in this part
of Lewisham. A number of infant welfare clinics continue to be held in church
halls, many of which are ill adapted for this purpose. It has not been possible
to obtain more suitable accommodation : this is regrettable. The general condition
of the premises housing the Council's day nurseries and maternity and child welfare
centres has been much improved. Many have been redecorated internally and
externally and the ravages of the war years—when maintenance was kept low—
removed. The Council's Parks Department has given a good deal of assistance in
improving the appearance of a number of centres and nurseries. Refrigerators,
drying cabinets and supplementary electric heating have been installed in many of the
day nurseries. The Restaurants and Catering Department gave invaluable assistance
in providing meals in one of the nurseries during an emergency period when the
kitchen was not available.
Clinics
A number of additional ''toddlers'' and ante-natal clinics were opened. The
ante-natal clinics include those attended by midwives of the Salvation Army and
of the postgraduate school of the General Lying-in Hospital. Close contact was