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147
endeavour to help in the very human task of improving personal health, as the following
eloquent plea received from a clinic for a piece of equipment brings out :
' We know that auriscopes are dear
But when a child's in pain
To know what's wrong inside its ear
Is worth financial strain.
Shall we send them to " Special Ears " »
Appointments must be made
And minor turn to major fears
And still the drum not saved ! '
The auriscope was provided.
Division 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham.
Dr. H. D. Chalke reports :
Accommodation
The need for a number of more suitable premises still remains. No new centres
were opened during the year but adaptations to a house in Lordship Lane were completed
and a small hutted unit is in process of erection on a site near Blackheath Hill. The
Amott Road Centre has been enlarged and the St. Mary's Road Day Nursery transferred
to new premises in the nearby Queen's Road Centre.
Clinics
The main feature has been a slight reduction in the number of ante-natal clinics
and some increase in those for older children, and for diphtheria immunisation. A
mobile immunisation unit toured the division in July. The use of combined diphtheria
and whooping cough immunisation is being extended. An ' all purpose' clinic in the
early evening for the benefit of those unable to attend at normal opening times was
started at a Lewisham centre : this is largely experimental.
Health
education
Open days at the centres were held as before. Health educational evening film
shows were arranged throughout the division at which the attendances were very
encouraging. Talks to Parent Associations and schoolchildren were extended. A health
exhibition held at the Central Lewisham Welfare Centre was very well attended; the
response of the public is an incentive to further effort in this direction. A special
exhibition of pictures on the prevention of tuberculosis was held, for one week, at a
centre in each of the two boroughs.
Care of
the aged
The welfare of older members of the community has received considerable attention.
The results of a divisional survey have been published*; they may prove of some
assistance to those who are concerned with the welfare of older people in their own
homes. There are many reasons why the majority of old folk are much better off in
their own homes than in institutions, provided they can be given adequate attention
and assistance. It was found that home care was far less costly than treatment in hospital.
Home helps
This service has now established itself as an essential part of the personal health
services. Problems of administration have multiplied with its expansion; nevertheless,
in no case in which the need existed was help not provided. Where considered essential,
weekend service was given in a number of cases. There is still a tendency on the part of
the public to forget that the duties of the home help must be confined to cleaning,
cooking, light washing, shopping and so on.
School
health
service
There has been a welcome increase in the number of dental clinics. Some reduction
has been made in the minor ailment sessions. In a number of schools chest X-rays of
the pupils have been taken by arrangement with the mass miniature radiography unit.
Day nurseries
Attendances and new applications suggest that the need for this service has not
diminished. Some children have been admitted for reasons connected with their physical
or mental health or that of their parents, and on account of adverse environmental
circumstances : this has proved well worth while.
Health
visiting and
school
nursing
Health visitors have been called upon to an increasing extent in connection with
family problems and difficulties; this work shows great enterprise and enthusiasm.
Arrangements have been made which should increase the co-operation between general
practitioners and health visitors.
♦Lancet I, 588. 1953