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HEALTH CENTRES
The first temporary Health Centre at Thamesmead came into use in 1969. By the end of
this year two General Practitioners and a Dentist were providing health care for 1,240 families.
The average family size in Thamesmead is 3.4 (National average 2.4). There are 576 children
under the age of five.
Endeavours are being made to create a community spirit. A Tenants Association has been
formed which organises a number of activities, including "A Good Neighbours Scheme", whereby
all newcomers to the Estate are visited within a few days of their arrival by neighbours to
inform them of the amenities available and to provide help in a practical way.
The General Practitioners are in attendance for morning and evening surgeries which are
run on an appointment system.
Two Health Visitors, a Midwife and a District Nurse are attached to the Health Centre
Practice, and a fairly comprehensive service is provided.
Families are continually moving into newly completed houses, and these are all visited by
Health Visitors to make their acquaintanceship and give information about the medical facilities,
offering advice and counselling as necessary. The elderly citizens too, are seen, to assess their
needs, to decide if, for instance, a district nurse, home help or advice from the Social Services
is needed. Nursing aids and luncheon club meals are also available if required. All over 65's,
on coming to the Centre are offered a full medical examination by the health centre doctors,
and in the Autumn the Nursing Sister arranges their anti-flu injections.
The temporary health centre offers comprehensive overall care to the whole community, and
it is hoped to move into the permanent building early next year.
Dr. P.M. Higgins, General Practitioner at Thamesmead Health Centre, reports:
"During this period the temporary health centre was still in use due to delays in completing
the Lakeside Centre. The list of patients, 3037 at the beginning of the quarter, rose to 3,376
by December 31st. Surgeries, child health and ante-natal clinics were staffed by the two partners,
one of whom took over responsibility for the Family Planning Clinic, the other also looking
after the nurses at Guy's. Although the list was comparatively small both were fully stretched:
consultations continued at an abnormally high level and the constant influx of new residents,
many with long standing problems requiring assessment, placed a great load on the service. The
dental services also began to find themselves busy and short of space.
It became difficult to fit into the centre all the activities that were desirable: every afternoon
was occupied with some form of clinic or group activity and the consulting rooms were
continuously in use. A social worker attended part-time, the district nurse began to work in
the centre, regular meetings with others working in the community — clergy, social workers,
teachers — were held, and students from Guy's began to attend.
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