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DIVISION 7, comprising the boroughs of Camberwell and Lewisham
Dr. Ann Mower White reports:
Dr. C. Lydon was appointed deputy divisional medical officer in September, replacing
Dr. A. L. Thrower on his appointment as divisional medical officer for division 5.
Acknowledgment is made of the good work done by staff of all grades in maintaining
essential services at divisional establishments and in the homes of the public during the
exceptionally cold weather at the beginning of the year.
Prevention of break-up of families—Under the direction of the senior divisional staff,
social workers and health visitors co-operated with officers of other departments and public
bodies in dealing with problem families and potential problem families, with special concern
for the welfare of the children and with the object wherever possible of preventing their
being taken into care. Case conferences were held at all levels of staff and a divisional
co-ordinating committee kept their work under continual review.
General practitioner obstetricians—There was a substantial expansion of the arrangements
made, in accordance with the recommendations of the Maternity Services (Cranbrook)
Committee, for general practitioner obstetricians to have the free use of the Council's
ante-natal clinics to see their own booked maternity patients and, by agreement, those of
other doctors. At the end of the year ten ante-natal clinics were attended in this way for
13 sessions a week by 32 doctors. There is close co-operation with domiciliary midwives
and health visitors who also attend the clinics.
Catford School for Mothers— During the year this voluntary organisation for providing
a child welfare clinic decided that it could no longer continue. The honorary superintendent,
the only worker left, felt unable to carry the responsibility of organising the work; happily
she was able to remain as a voluntary helper. As the sessions were held at the Central
Lewisham welfare centre it was possible to absorb them into the activities of the clinic
as a whole.
The cessation of this voluntary organisation was the close of a chapter in the history
of maternity and child welfare. The very title of 'school for mothers' reflects the attitude
of mind of a generation which needed to be taught to seek the benefits of a child welfare
service. The Catford School for Mothers started in 1916 in a church hall as an entirely
voluntary effort meeting one afternoon a week with three workers, including a local doctor
and an insurance nurse. The workers put up the money for their initial equipment and raised
money by a box at the weighing table, inviting a penny a time, and by the sale of infant
foods.' Lectures ' were given by the doctor and by invited speakers. The Divisional Health
Committee put on record their appreciation of the work done by this voluntary organisation,
which was among the pioneers of child welfare in the country. With the benefit of their
example and experience, there developed the municipal maternity and child-welfare service
which in 1948 was embodied in the National Health Service. The Catford School for Mothers
held an honoured place throughout and loyally co-operated in the welfare schemes for
the borough, administered in turn by the Lewisham Borough Council and the London
County Council. Much time, thought and labour were given over the years by a succession
of devoted workers. In 1936 they transferred their activities from a church hall to the newlyopened
Central Lewisham welfare centre, where they shared and were duly honoured
in the 21st birthday celebration of the centre in 1957.
Day nurseries—The demand for day nursery places continued at a high level. Nearly
all the children were from homes in which one or other parent was alone, or where the
admission was in the interest of the physical or mental health of the children or their mothers.
To increase or improve the accommodation, schemes were approved for replacing two
nurseries and extending two others.
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