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The normal pattern of ante-natal classes used in the Borough is unsuitable for
the Southall Asians. They find lying on the floor in groups undignified and do not in
any case see the need for ante-natal exercises. Some progress in teaching
preparation for child-birth is, however, being made by one of the Indian health
visitors.
Health Visiting
The health visitor can wield great influence, providing the family is visited as
soon as possible after arrival in this country. She is able to explain the facilities
available from local and national authorities and can sort out health problems about
which the family is concerned. There is little chance of influencing Asian immigrants
at the port of arrival as they are naturally excited and possibly worried at this time,
and it is in their own homes that they are most susceptible to advice. If however the
visit is unduly delayed, and this means a gap of perhaps seven to ten days, it is
possible that the family will have moved to another area often without leaving an
address and are thus 'lost'.
Family Planning
A family planning clinic is held at Northcote Clinic weekly and the average
attendance is 15, of which about half are Asians. The choice of method is an
individual matter and no distinct racial pattern is evident. Apart from the language
difficul ty, which is overcome by the services of interpreters, the presence of a high
proportion of Asians does not present any particular problem. With financial
assistance from the Council the Family Planning Association opened a clinic in
Hillingdon Hospital premises. It is anticipated that Asian mothers will make use of
this following their post-natal examinations.
Day Care of Children
I have noted elsewhere in this report that there are certain aspects of child
minding which give cause for concern and this is particularly so in the case of
immigrant children. Both illegal minding and unsatisfactory minding falling within
the present law are common. Supervision and control, however, is difficult to enforce.
Often the minder does not know the full names and addresses of the children being
minded and if health visitors persist in probing, admission is refused at subsequent
visits. The rapid transfer of the children to other families within the house or next
door will guard against follow up visits made by other authorized staff. The health
and safety of these minded children are the main worries of the department, but such
practices as leaving toddlers all day in prams or cots without toys or play materials
are also a cause for concern.
The more enlightened mothers use play-groups, of which there are a large
number of well managed examples in the Borough. Many of these have children of all
nationalities in them, but of particular interest is the multi-racial play group held
at Southall Community Centre. This was started with support from the Council with
the definite object of fostering integration. This group keeps an equal number of
places for IndianandEuropeanchildren, and aims to teach the children at an early
age something of each other's way of life.
Home Nursing Service
Because of difficulties experienced in arranging for immigrants to stay at home
on specific times and days in order to receive injections from home nurses, a special
service for ambulant patients is provided at Northcote Clinic. This has proved to be
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