View report page

also High. As before, the greatest call on the service was from old persons who continued
to present very difficult problems, especially when help was not sought early. The old
person living alone, with no relatives in the neighbourhood, who is often not on a
doctor's hst and refuses medical attendance presents particular difficulties. Fortunately,
it was not found necessary to ask for compulsory removal of an old person, under the
provision of Section 47 of the National Assistance Act. Tribute must be paid to the way
in which the voluntary agencies co-operated with the divisional and borough staff in
helping to solve the many problems that arose. Afternoon courses of instruction for
home helps proved well worth while ; they were given short talks by members of the
staff and made to realise that they are members of the health team.
Conclusion
Many thanks are due to my medical and lay colleagues in the area tor their cooperation
and to the members of the divisional staff for their loyalty and support.
Division 8, comprising the boroughs of Bermondsey, Lambeth and Southwark.
Dr. W. H. S. Wallace reports :
Day nurseries
The demand for day nursery accommodation remained steady and the average
daily attendance was well maintained. Good use was made of the nurseries to provide
for children whose mothers were ill or in hospital, or during confinement. Children
from 187 families in this category were admitted to day nurseries during the year.
Extensive renovation was carried out at Tenda Road nursery, where structural failure
resulted in the re-roofing of the building being necessary. Unfortunately this necessitated
the nursery being closed for nearly three months while the work was in progress.
Lady Alexandra Metcalfe, who has a fund at her disposal for the benefit of the children
of Lambeth, very kindly offered to effect some improvements at the Cynthia Mosley
and Chestnut day nurseries. She kindly provided covered verandahs at both these
nurseries, thus giving the children more opportunity to remain in the open air in wet
weather and be protected from the sun in hot weather. She has also provided many toys
and equipment for all the day nurseries in Lambeth. Our grateful thanks are due to her
for the valuable help she has given.
Diphtheria
immunisation
1 am glad to be able to report an increase in the number ot children immumsed
1 against diphtheria. 5,741 children received a full primary course of immunisation in
1954, compared with 5,106 in 1953.
Health visitors
Efforts were made to ensure full co-operation between the general practitioners and
health visitors. A meeting of the Lambeth and Southwark Branch of the British Medical
Association was held during the year to which health visitors were invited, and the
integration of the work of the general practitioner with the preventive services was
fully discussed.
Neglect and
ill-treatment
of children
The work of the Standing Committee on the Neglect and Ill-Treatment of Children
has continued throughout the year. The committee was of great value in bringing together
the members of all interested sections in this work. In addition to the committee
meetings there was full co-operation between field workers of the care committees,
health visitors, the N.S.P.C.C. and other voluntary bodies. Day nursery vacancies,
home helps, re-housing, have been obtained in many cases and workers have done
everything possible to prevent the break-up of families. Every effort was made to avoid
the necessity of children being taken into care. 102 families in need of assistance were
referred during the year by the Children's Officer and were found day nursery vacancies,
home helps, etc.
Welfare foods
In consequence of the closure of the food offices the distribution of welfare foods
was taken over by the Council. The transfer was effected smoothly and no difficulties
arose. Foods were supplied at welfare centres, at a kiosk in the former food office in
Bermondsey and at the sub-office at Lambeth.
School health
service
The premises at Pages Walk school, where treatment sessions were held, were
required by the Education Department, and consequently alternative arrangements
were made for these services. The nutrition session was transferred to Sutherland House
140