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Woolwich areas. Although the formation of such schemes is not without difficulty, it is
evident that they form the best available basis for team work in the supervision and care
of the maternity case.
Mental health—It became possible in February to accommodate the mental health team
close to divisional headquarters. Although staff shortages have, until recently, slowed
down expected progress, great strides have nevertheless been taken. The increasing number
of persons coming under community care reflects in some measure the case work dealt with.
In addition, excellent contact has been made with family doctors, consultants, and statutory
and voluntary social workers in the area. The team has integrated at all levels with the
existing divisional staff.
Special 'mental health' groups were established at the beginning of the year in Woolwich,
Eltham, Greenwich and Deptford. Each was composed of health visitors, social workers
and doctors under the leadership of a consultant psychiatrist. They met periodically to
discuss problems arising in the mental health field with emphasis on community care and
prevention.
Poliomyelitis vaccination—A great effort on the part of divisional health staff and
colleagues in the education service resulted in the majority of the 5-11 years old age group
receiving their fourth injection before the summer holidays.
Diphtheria—A case living in Camberwell and attending a Deptford school was found
just before the summer holidays. Fifteen carriers were discovered and removed to hospital.
In September it was found that the carrier state had recurred in one child and further
treatment was required.
It is felt that the fact that no overt case resulted could be attributed to the high degree
of immunity in the local child population. The intensive investigation required by this
incident reflects great credit on the school medical and nursing staff and the district health
visitors. Every co-operation was given, as usual, by the heads and staffs of the schools
involved and the borough health department. The Devonport and Public Health laboratories
had to deal with and report upon up to 600 swabs on several occasions at short
notice.
Chiropody—Considerable difficulty was experienced during the year in maintaining the
divisional chiropody service in the face of an acute shortage of chiropodists. While every
effort was made to deploy available staff in such a way as to secure an even geographical
spread of the service throughout the division, some reduction in the number of weekly
sessions was inescapable. Although the temporary suspension of sessions at certain centres
inevitably resulted in increased waiting lists, the staff continued to make every effort to
meet the special needs of persons in the priority classes.
Occasional crèche—In response to what appeared to be a reasonably strong local demand,
an occasional crèche was opened on 19 April at the Creek Road welfare centre, Greenwich.
Attendances at the creche have, however, been much lower than anticipated and efforts
continue to be made to stimulate mothers living in the locality to take advantage of the
facilities available.
Prevention of break-up of families—The co-ordinating committee continued to meet
regularly to consider policy and subjects of common concern as well as measures to help
particular families, the allocation of social case workers and of specially trained home helps.
In addition, 28 intermediate case conferences were held, 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.
Voluntary workers—On average nine voluntary workers assisted each week at various
infant welfare sessions; I am most pleased to acknowledge their generous service.
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