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DIVISION 9, comprising the boroughs of Wandsworth and Battersea
Dr. J. T. R. Lewis reports:
The work of the division has proceeded normally throughout the year and we seem to
have been as busy as ever. My colleagues and I never seem to be short of problems but it is
difficult to convey accurately the extent, variety, and not seldom the complexity of the
work. The following somewhat bare recital instances some, but by no means all, of the
non-routine matters dealt with in 1961.
Premises—In conjunction with the modernisation by Battersea Borough Council of
Chatham Hall, a separate annexe was built to provide a doctor's room and waiting room
for the welfare centre conducted from the main hall. This has improved the facilities
at this busy centre.
Diphtheria—Shortly after the commencement of the Easter holidays, a boy from
Falconbrook Infants' school, Battersea, was diagnosed as suffering from diphtheria. A
second case and 37 carriers were discovered later. The process of swabbing all contacts
was made much more difficult because of the school holidays, but nevertheless was
successfully carried out from six schools. On one of the peak days over 500 children and
adults each had two swabs taken and 363 persons received either a primary or booster
injection of diphtheria antigen.
Prophylaxis—To enable eligible children aged 5-11 years to receive a fourth injection
of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine before the summer holidays a special programme was
organised and 7,524 children were inoculated.
Maternity and child welfare—An occasional crèche was opened for one session a week at
William Harvey centre on the Ashburton Estate, Roehampton.
Bathing centres—Due to the general improvement in the standards of health education
and hygiene and the issue of Lorexane shampoo for use in the home, the number of
attendances for cleansing at the two bathing centres in the division dropped from 2,147
in 1959 to 1,123 in 1960; in consequence cleansing sessions were reduced by five a week.
Mental health services—In the first full year's working since the Mental Health Act,
1959 came into operation, community care began to expand in a variety of ways.
In April, a social club on one evening a week was opened for psychiatric patients either
discharged from a mental hospital or who might, with sufficient domiciliary support, be
discharged. The meetings give opportunities of discussing difficulties in an informal, friendly
atmosphere with a psychiatrist and one of the Council's social workers. The success of
this venture has been outstanding and it undoubtedly is a pioneering effort which may well
prove to be one of the most fruitful ways of helping the mentally disordered in the community.
A scheme was started in February with the object of giving occupation and instruction
in their own homes to mentally ill persons. To some younger patients this can be a step
to a psychiatric club or rehabilitation centre and then possibly to employment. The more
elderly patient has been helped towards a more normal life in the community. This small
incipient service, consisting of three sessions a week, has been welcomed by hospital
doctors and general practitioners.
Clapham industrial training centre was opened in April with accommodation for over
100 men and boys. Balham training centre, vacated by the older boys who were transferred
to the Clapham centre, was modified and improved to provide occupation and training
for 60 older girls and women formerly using a centre held in a church hall.
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