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More male home helps have been employed; the demand, unfortunately,
exceeds the supply.
Home help
service
Additional audiometer and enuresis clinics were opened and a speech therapy
centre commenced. The taking over by the Regional Hospital Board of specialist
clinics has proceeded smoothly. The attendances at cleansing centres have diminished,
but the incidence of verminous conditions still remains high. Many return.
cases occur, the result of infestation by older members of the family at home. By
arrangement with the Medical Officer of Health, Camberwell, such families are
provided with insecticidal preparations. It is too early as yet to assess the results
of this scheme, but there are indications already that this may be a useful preventive
measure.
School
health
service
A provisions costing experiment was carried out in the day nurseries; this
continues. A number of daily minders visited the day nurseries for instruction
before registration.
Day
nurseries
Staff increases have been maintained—the case.load for whole.time health
visitors averages 950. The policy of selective visiting has been adhered to, and
considerable help has been given, in close co.operation with other social agencies, to
families in special need. A family was sent to Brentwood Rehabilitation Centre:
a marked improvement in the standard of care given by this mother on her return
has so far been maintained.
Health
visiting
and
school
nursing
Many investigations and research projects have been undertaken, involving a
good deal of additional work for the divisional staff. Despite difficulties in respect
of transport, and staff changes in key positions, everyone has responded excellently
to the additional effort required. My thanks are due to the Medical Officers of
Health of Lewisham and Camberwell, hospital staffs, general practitioners and
members of a host of voluntary and statutory bodies for their co.operation and
assistance during the year, without which the work of the division could not have
functioned satisfactorily.
General
Division 8, comprising the boroughs of Bermondsey, Lambeth and Southwark.
Dr. W. H. S. Wallace reports:—
The redecoration of premises in the division has been continued during the
year. The divisional offices in Brook Drive, five day nurseries and two infant
welfare centres were completely redecorated.
Premises
The Council s policy to effect economies in the running of the day nurseries has
been put into effect. Fulford Street, St. John's, Marine Street and Knight's Hill
Nurseries, ceased to be training schools. Part of Fulford Street Nursery had to be
demolished as the space had to be made available for a new block of flats being
erected by the Bermondsey Borough Council. The new priorities laid down by the
Health Committee have been applied to all applications for admission to nurseries.
They do not differ greatly from the priorities previously in force and there is still a
considerable waiting list for admission, except in the Norwood area.
Day
nurseries
The attendances at Infant Welfare Clinics have been well maintained, although
there has been a further slight decline in the attendances at ante.natal clinics. Two
further combined midwives and doctor clinics have been established and are working
well.
Clinics
The policy of integrating the work of the health visitors and school nurses has
been extended. Many school nurses assist at the clinics for weighing babies or at
the immunisation clinics. Health visitors have assisted in the school health service.
Health
visiting
Arrangements were made for closer co.operation between the almoners of
hospitals and the staff of the department. Reports were made available to almoners
on request to the divisional office. A complete street list giving the addresses and the
welfare centres by which they were served was supplied to all almoners so that they
Almoners