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Poliomyelitis
inoculations
The extension of the scheme to cover additional age and priority groups provided
many administrative and clinical problems which were overcome by the enthusiastic
co-operation of all concerned. The following table shows the position at the end of
the year. It will be seen that it has been possible to make a start on third or booster doses.
A pleasing by-product of the operation has been increased liaison with hospitals, general
practitioners, factories, schools, etc.
Persons
Born
since
1942
Born
1933-1942
Other
priority
groups
Total
No. who completed a course of two
injections during the year
27,365 2,512 2,435 32,312
No. who received a third injection 348 3 133 484
No. who completed a course of two injections since commencement of scheme in 1956, 45,310.
Maternity and
child welfare
A film illustrating the stringent tests to which Salk vaccine is subjected was shown
and invitations were extended to those in the division concerned with the promotion
of health.
Ante-natal clinics were held at 19 centres with an average of 25 sessions a week.
Relaxation, mothercraft and parentcraft classes were held at varying intervals at seven
centres.
For the fourth successive year courses of parentcraft for husbands were held at three
centres, one in each borough. Evening meetings were held on the same days as the
afternoon courses on mothercraft and relaxation for expectant mothers. The meetings
were as popular and successful as before and attracted considerable attention through the
press and television services. Chest X-ray examinations were arranged during the
year for expectant mothers.
Over 50 separate or combined infant welfare and toddlers' sessions were held weekly.
A new centre was opened at Avery Hill, Woolwich. Attendances totalled 85,058; the
corresponding figure for 1957 was 84,490. The total number of children born during
1958 to mothers resident in the area was 4,531 compared with 4,320 during 1957.
Plumstead
Housewives'
Club
A club sponsored by the Woolwich Council of Social Service started in April and
met weekly at the Garland Road welfare centre. Activities include cookery, dressmaking
demonstrations, talks and films; the Divisional Health Committee authorised
a grant to assist towards expenses.
Preventive
mental health
In October a group of health visitors and doctors under the leadership of a child
psychiatrist started meeting one evening each week. It is hoped that discussions may
lead to the gaining of insight as to factors bearing on problems in this field.
The Divisional Health Committee sponsored the showing of six films bearing on
this and the question of Mental Health generally. The meetings were well attended by
members of the staff of Council departments and voluntary bodies, doctors, heads of
schools, almoners, etc. and useful discussions took place.
Backward
children
The special welfare clinic for mentally retarded children under five years of age,
at which parents are able to discuss their special difficulties with a doctor experienced
both in this field and that of maternity and child welfare was continued. Mothers
attended with their children by appointment.
Child-minders
The number of statutorily and voluntarily registered child-minders at 31 December,
1958, was 98, compared with 100 at 31 December, 1957. Approximately 250 children
were minded each week-day.
Voluntary
workers
About ten voluntary workers assisted each week at various infant welfare sessions;
I am most pleased to acknowledge their generous service.
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