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The integration of the child welfare and school health services now provides continuous
supervision and it is hoped that this will continue.
Prophylaxis—The very much greater prominence of prophylaxis with the resultant decrease
in the incidence of infectious disease and the introduction of B.C.G. vaccination of
school children are worthy of mention. It is pleasing to record that in 1964 not one case of
diphtheria or of poliomyelitis was notified.
Health centre—In 1952 the first (and only) comprehensive health centre in the administrative
county was opened in the division. This centre caters not only for the local health
services but for general medical and dental services also and is attended by more than
2,000 persons each week, including the patients attending the general practitioner and dental
surgeries. Each year since it opened there has been a constant flow of students and visitors
from overseas to view the centre and the services provided. This year there were 89 parties
comprising 635 visitors.
Mental health—With the implementation of the Mental Health Act, 1959, with its
emphasis on community care, considerable local development took place. One of the most
important developments has been the provision of day centres where persons suffering
from mental illness can perform simple tasks. Formerly this type of patient when not kept in
hospital was left to his own devices in his own home: by encouraging him to attend a day
centre where output is not the main feature he is able to gain sufficient confidence to take a
more normal and active part in community life.
In the last four years three day centres have been opened, providing places for 90 patients.
As our knowledge increases it has been possible to develop the potentials of this service. A
variety of simple industrial processes are carried out at these centres and I am pleased to
report a satisfactory standard of success. Each of these day centres has a social club and
there have been very successful evening ventures.
Because of lack of accommodation and staff, admissions to training centres for the mentally
sub-normal have had to be restricted to children over five years of age. Their handicap
usually becomes apparent at a much earlier age and many parents suffer severe mental
strain in looking after the mat home. To ease some of the burden, two special-care units for
severely mentally sub-normal children have this year been opened at St. John's and Victorian
Grove day nurseries. Up to four such children may now be admitted to each of these
nurseries.
Dental health—The Ministers of Health and Education drew attention to the poor
condition of school children's teeth and to help imprint on the school children's minds the
importance of looking after their teeth a Dental Health exhibition was held in October.
The exhibition which lasted four days was held at Shoreditch Health Centre and was
attended by over 2,000 children. Subsequently, the children were asked to produce projects
illustrating some aspects of dental health and a further exhibition of their work was held
at Hackney Town Hall in November.
Prevention of break-up of families—The divisional co-ordinating committee met regularly
during the year and 73 individual families were discussed at intermediate case conferences.
As in previous years many cases were referred from the Housing department, not
less than 27 being in arrears of rent sufficiently high to put them in danger of eviction. The
difficulties involved in unravelling and straightening tangled financial situations gave the
most trouble.
Staff— During my 16 years in office I have been highly impressed by the consistently
high standard of work of the entire divisional staff and I take this opportunity of expressing
my appreciation.
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