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Housewives' clubs—The two clubs sponsored by the Woolwich Council of Social Service
continued to meet weekly at the Lionel Road and Garland Road welfare centres. Grants to
assist towards the expenses of the clubs were authorised by the Divisional Health Committee.
The activities at both clubs, which are now well established, include cookery,
dress.making demonstrations, talks and films.
Liaison with general practitioner obstetricians—Arrangements were made in January, at
the request of a group of general practitioner obstetricians, for the group to co.operate in
the ante.natal care of patients on their lists and to attend by rota the midwives' booking
sessions at three welfare centres in Greenwich. Similar provision was made later in the
year at the centre on a new housing estate in Woolwich.
The arrangements have worked very smoothly at all four centres. All general practitioners
practising in the vicinity of the centres concerned were informed of the activities of the two
groups and of the procedures they had agreed to follow in order to safeguard the practices
of other practitioners.
Mental health service—In anticipation of the coming into force of the Mental Health
Act, 1959, a series of informal monthly meetings was held in the division to examine and
discuss in broad terms the many varied problems of mental health and community care
work. The meetings, attended by representatives of the mental hospital service, general
practitioners, hospital almoners, health visitors, district nurses and local authority and
voluntary agency social workers, not only provided a useful forum for the exchange of
information but also an opportunity for fostering close liaison between all likely to be
concerned with the operations of the new legislation at field level.
Oral poliomyelitis vaccine—The divisional area was one of a limited number in the
country selected for the trial of a new oral poliomyelitis vaccine. The test, sponsored by the
Medical Research Council, commenced in April and was conducted by a local paediatrician
with the co.operation of general practitioners and health visitors. The parents of
children qualifying for the test were given a full explanation of both the objects of the trial
and the methods by which it was to be carried out; in all some 40 children participated in
the scheme.
The result of the trial will be made known when the data obtained from all areas have
been collated and assessed.
Prevention of break.up of families—The co.ordinating committee continued to meet
regularly to consider policy and subjects of common concern in addition to measures to
help particular families, the allocation of social case workers and of specially trained home
helps. Of the 115 families discussed, many had been referred after intermediate case conferences
at which a number of departments of the Council and the majority of other
statutory and voluntary agencies in the area took part to a greater or lesser degree. Health
visitors and other field workers continued to support and supervise the large group of
potential problem families, of which relatively few reach the level of the special conferences.
Voluntary workers—About nine voluntary workers assisted each week at various infant
welfare sessions; I am most pleased to acknowledge their generous service.
DIVISION 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham
Dr. Ann Mower White reports:
Premises—The Peckham child guidance unit was moved temporarily from Queen's
Road centre to Alpha House, Rye Lane during alterations undertaken as part of the
building work on the South East London General Practitioners' Centre.
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