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Fulham
chest clinic
In association with the local evening institute, pottery classes for tuberculous
patients were commenced at Fulham chest clinic in October, and have proved successful.
Hurlingham
Lodge
The hostel for tuberculous men was fully occupied during the year. More residents
who are not fit for normal employment have joined the divisional therapy class.
Influenza
Vaccination against the Asian type of influenza was offered to doctors, district
nurses, health visitors, midwives, home helps, local ambulance personnel, etc., deemed
to be specially exposed to infection and on whom an influenza epidemic places an
exceptionally heavy burden. 308 persons received a complete course of injections.
School
health
During the year the Regional Hospital Board agreed to an increase in the number of
vision sessions at Chelsea and St. Dunstan's school treatment centres.
The number of minor ailment sessions attended by a doctor in the Hammersmith
and Kensington areas was reduced because of a fall in demand.
The number of special investigation clinics was increased, and at the end of the year
such clinics were being held at Chelsea, Fulham, North Kensington, Notting Dale and
St. Dunstan's Road school treatment centres.
Neglect and
ill-treatment
of children
The scope of the divisional co-ordinating committee was widened to embracc,
inter alia, case work relating to the more difficult families. Regular monthly meetings
have been held to which the various social and other workers interested in the particular
families under discussion have been invited.
A small number of lettings of the older type was allocated for offer by the divisional
co-ordinating committee to problem families living in intolerable housing conditions.
This offer of accommodation was particularly welcome, as in so many cases, rehousing
is the key to further opportunity to rehabilitate a problem family.
Liaison with
other bodies
A quarterly meeting of hospital almoners, superintendents of district nursing
associations, divisional directors of the Red Cross, health visitors, home help organisers
and divisional staff, has been inaugurated with the object of improving liaison and to
afford an opportunity for dissemination of information on the Council's services and
discussion on any difficulties which may arise in connection with our day-to-day work.
An informal meeting was held in July at the Raymede welfare centre to which
general practitioners practising in Kensington and clinic medical officers and health
visitors from Raymede and Lancaster Road welfare centres were invited.
Professor McClure Browne continued to hold monthly perinatal mortality conferences
at Hammersmith hospital. He also invited to the hospital the medical officers
doing ante-natal work at the maternity and child welfare centres in the division with the
object of improving and strengthening the link between the hospital and the divisional
staff.
Two meetings were held at Hammersmith hospital between representatives of the
local medical committee, obstetric and gynaecological staff of Hammersmith hospital
and of the local health authority, to consider the memorandum on ante-natal care
related to toxaemia prepared by the Standing Maternity and Midwifery Advisory
Committee.
DIVISION 2, comprising the boroughs of Hampstead, Paddington, St. Marylebone,
St. Pancras and City of Westminster
Welfare
centres and
home visiting
Dr. H. L. Oldershaw reports :
In 1957, three maternity and child welfare centres (one full-time, two part-time),
were closed, and two full-time ones opened, leaving a total of 25 Council centres and
one voluntary aided centre in use at the end of the year. The two new additions were
able to take over most of the work previously done at the three centres which were
closed. The combined results of all the centres' work during the year may be summarised
as follows :
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