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School health service—The health of the schoolchildren has remained good and there
has been no great change in the numbers of children referred for treatment. The Brixton
minor ailment clinic was closed and nursing treatment made available for an hour in the
morning before school hours at the Loughborough welfare centre. This has proved a more
satisfactory way of dealing with the small number of children concerned, as the health
visitors do not have to give up time to attend a special session.
The enuresis clinic held at All Saints' hospital was closed in November. The current cases
were transferred to other sessions in the division without any difficulty.
The number of children attending the Eye and Ear, Nose and Throat departments of
Guy's hospital now is relatively small and their social needs no longer justify the presence
of a treatment organiser, who has therefore been withdrawn.
The closure of the two small schools for physically handicapped children, the Caldwell
and Venetian, and their replacement by the new Thurlow Park school has greatly improved
the services for handicapped pupils in the division. The new school is situated on the same
site as the Elm Court school for delicate children. Medical services for the two schools can
thus be integrated. In particular, the physiotherapy services provided by King's College
hospital have given great assistance to the children at both schools.
Mental health—The transfer of the mental health services to the division was carried out
in October. It was, fortunately, possible to accommodate the new staff at the divisional
office, so that a satisfactory integration of the services could be effected. The total number
of staff authorised has not yet been appointed but the existing staff have so far been able
to meet the immediate demands for dealing with mental patients.
The provision of a day hospital for mentally ill patients at St. Olave's hospital has
proved of great value in the community care of the mentally ill. The day centre provided at
Blackfriars by the Institute of Social Psychiatry is also doing most valuable work in the
rehabilitation of the mentally disabled.
Co.ordinating committee—The work of the co.ordinating committee in connection with
problem families continues to grow in scope and difficulty. Once families get into difficulties
their problems frequently develop further complexity. One of the main causes of difficulty
at the present time are the debts, evictions and prison sentences for fraud that result from
involvement in excessive hire.purchase agreements.
The South London Family Service Unit continues to make a valuable contribution and
the intensive case workers employed by the Children's department have carried out most
useful work. The special home help services have also played a most valuable part in
conjunction with the other services.
Housing clearly plays an important part in the difficulties of many problem families and
I am glad to report that the majority of families re.housed following nomination by the
co.ordinating committee have responded well and are no longer pointed as problem
families.
DIVISION 9, comprising the boroughs of Wandsworth and Battersea
Dr. J. T. R. Lewis reports:
Premises—The Welcome Hall welfare centre, Battersea, opened in the Shaftesbury
Society's new building in December, replacing a temporary building on park land.
With the divisionalisation of the mental health service an office for eight mental welfare
officers and clerical staff was opened in October at the divisional sub.office at 89 Trinity
Road, Upper Tooting.
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