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Ante-natal
clinics
Ante-natal clinics were held at 19 centres, with an average of 28 sessions a week.
Relaxation and mothercraft classes were held at varying intervals at nine centres. Chest
X-ray examinations were arranged for no less than 1,060 expectant mothers during
the year.
District
nursing
associations
The Charlton and Blackheath District Nursing Association, the Nursing Sisters of
St. John the Divine, the Ranyard Nurses, the Silvertown and North Woolwich District
Nursing Association and the Woolwich and Plumstead Nursing Association rendered
most valuable and co-operative service during the year. The Silvertown and North
Woolwich District Nursing Association ceased to function on 1st November, 1955,
but the district nursing was taken over by the Woolwich and Plumstead Nursing
Association, and midwifery cases on an agency basis by the County Borough of West
Ham. There was no break in either of these services.
Prophylaxis
Additional sessions for prophylaxis were made available during the year; apart
from the immunisation sessions held weekly at schools in the division, full or part-time
sessions were held weekly at 14 centres. 3,252 children (0-15 years) received a primary
course of diphtheria immunisation and 1,525 reinforcing injections during 1955. These
figures are less than those for 1954, but the falling off was due without doubt to the
outbreak of poliomyelitis, which covered a more prolonged period than in previous
years.
Vaccination was carried out in 2,308 cases and re-vaccination in 561, whilst 2,893
primary and 129 secondary whooping cough inoculations were carried out.
Dr. Dunham, of the Department of Physical Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital,
continued his survey into the early detection of infantile cerebral palsy among selected
babies at special sessions at certain maternity and child welfare centres in the division.
Cerebral
palsy
Parallel with this research, an inquiry was made with the co-operation of hospitals,
general practitioners, health visitors, school nursing sisters, and others, in order to
obtain up-to-date records of London children suffering from any form of cerebral
palsy. The research was made so that the extent of the problem could be assessed and
all possible medical, educational and social help afforded.
Mentally
backward
children
In co-operation with the local mental welfare organiser, clinics for mentally backward
children under five years were held at two centres. It is hoped as a result of the experience
already gained, to develop specially co-operation in the welfare problems which beset
parents.
Welfare foods
National welfare foods were distributed during 110 sessions held weekly at 29 centres
throughout the division.
Domiciliary
diversional
therapy
Persons suffering from tuberculosis and confined to their homes, were given
instruction in a number of crafts by the occupational therapist from the beginning of
October. By the end of the year there was no doubt that the patients had been most
co-operative, had shown marked enthusiasm, and had derived considerable benefit
from the training and the interest it created.
Poliomyelitis
There were 185 confirmed cases of poliomyelitis in the Division during the year,
The outbreak was most marked in the Plumstead area of the Borough of Woolwich,
where it did not decline until the end of November.
I acknowledge most sincerely the good work of everyone associated with the health
services in the division.
Division 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham.
Dr. H. D. Chalke reports :
Premises
Some of the rented premises used for maternity and child welfare centres have
given cause for concern. They are mainly old premises at which there is very limited
scope for improvement. In one instance, it has been possible to arrange for the service
to be transferred to a newly-built church hall; in another instance, new terms have
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