View report page

DIVISION 8, comprising the boroughs of Bermondsey, Lambeth and Southwark
Dr. W. H. S. Wallace reports:
Maternity and child welfare—The maternity and child welfare clinics have continued to
be well attended. Increasing demands for help from families with social and domestic
problems have thrown a heavy burden on health visiting staff. The rising birth rate and the
increase in the number of immigrants have resulted in much extra work for the centres
and a greatly increased demand for maternity beds. The home conditions of the immigrant
population in particular are frequently poor and home confinements are not possible.
The hospitals have been most helpful and, in spite of heavy pressure, have managed to
find beds for all mothers requiring hospital confinement on medical or social grounds.
Day nurseries—The demand for day nursery accommodation remains about the same as
last year. There has, however, been a considerable increase in the demand for the occasional
crèches that have been provided at some of the welfare centres. Additional sessions were
provided at the Barley Mow and St. Anne's centres and a new creche was opened at the
Rose McAndrew centre during the year.
Infectious diseases—Three cases of diphtheria occurred in schoolchildren in Bermondsey
during the year. Bacteriological tests were carried out on all the children in the schools
concerned and the immunisation campaign was carried on intensively. No further cases
were traced.
School health service—The health of schoolchildren has remained good and the incidence
of minor ailments has continued to decline. A further decline has taken place in the
incidence of rheumatism. Attendances at rheumatism supervisory sessions have been
dropping steadily in the division for some years and during 1961 only one new case was
seen. As it was no longer necessary to maintain a supervisory session, as such, at St. Thomas'
hospital the session is now working as a general investigation session, on the lines of
special investigation clinics in other parts of the division.
Special efforts have been made to ensure that all children with any defect of hearing
are discovered and that every provision is made for them. There are at present 124 children
on the deaf register and these cases are regularly reviewed. A treatment organiser attends
the hearing aid distribution centre at St. Thomas' hospital.
Mental health—The mental health team has made a satisfactory start in the development
of services for the mentally disabled, though progress has been tempered to the staffing
position for much of the year. There has been a steady rise in the number of people referred
and the 3,778 visits and interviews undertaken indicate the effort made by a small staff to
meet the needs of the community.
A psychiatric social worker joined the team for three months and this enabled the
division to start a closer working relationship with the day hospital at St. Olave's hospital.
The mental welfare officers have been much encouraged by the helpful co-operation they
have received from general practitioners and the medical staff of the area mental hospitals
and out-patient clinics.
The Institute of Social Psychiatry opened another rehabilitation centre in the division,
Crossways, and the West London Mission opened St. Luke's Hostel, Wincott Street, S.E.11
for the after-care of alcoholic patients.
Co-ordinating committee—The co-ordinating committee continued to do valuable work.
The number of case conferences continues to increase annually, reaching a total of 57
during 1961. These conferences have proved most valuable in co-ordinating the work of
those visiting the homes and agreement on the designation of a key worker has frequently
helped to eliminate multiple visiting.
108