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A brief mention must be made of other interesting work started by the health visitors
during the first half of the year.
(1) As a result of an approach made by a general practitioner to the Acting Medical
Officer of Health, a small discussion group of mothers with new babies chosen by the
doctor and the health visitor commenced at the practitioner's surgery.
(2) Education evenings were held for mothers at clinics.
(3) Health visiting staff participated in the "Welcome to Citizenship" evening at Erith
School.
(4) Observation visits to clinics by school girls followed talks in schools by heath visitors.
(5) A health visitor was selected to attend a group discussion course arranged by the
London Boroughs Training Committee.
The need for health education on correct diets prompted one of the midwives to set up a
slimmers' club in May 1970 in her own home. She wanted to provide a club atmosphere for
women who do not fit readily into other social activities or clubs. The response was so good that
she sought clinic accommodation and in July the Council gave its approval for a trial period to
the use of Station Approach Clinic at Welling one evening per week for this purpose. By October
the number of women attending had grown to 48 and special speakers were being invited
occasionally to address the group. There were two practical results of these activities. The average
weight loss was observed to be about 2½ lbs. per week and many had also made friends amongst
whom there grew up a sense of mutual support against urges to eat forbidden items of diet. The
second benefit stemmed from the charge of 3/6d. to members which by the end of the year made
it possible to hand over a sum of £40 to the Marie Curie Foundation.
RENAL DIALYSIS
Following receipt of Circular 2/68 from the Ministry of Health referring to adaptation to
homes for the purpose of installing artificial kidney machines, there have been five cases in the
Borough, each presenting individual and sometimes fairly complex problems.
The Council's existing scheme offered assistance to each applicant by giving practical help in
the preparation of plans and specifications in conjunction with the hospital authorities and the
Metropolitan Water Board, the cost to the applicant being determined by the Council's assessment
regulations. At that time the Council had contributed approximately £1,600 towards the total cost
of £2300 for the first four cases excluding the cost to the Borough Architect's Department for
preparing and supervising schemes.
By the end of 1969 four adaptations had been completed and the possibility of promoting
some form of joint action by the Social Services and Housing Committees to adapt one or more
Council-owned houses for this purpose was being explored.
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