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8. FAMILY PLANNING
The provisions which the Council makes under Section 22 of the National Health
Service Act are as follows:-
(1) The health department provides a birth control clinic at Cherington House
Clinic to which doctors or health visitors can refer women on medical
grounds. In accordance with circular 5/66 supplies as well as advice are
now free in these circumstances. Two sessions are held per month with an
average attendance of 20 per session. In 1967, 63 new patients were seen
and a total of 405 visits were made to the clinic.
(2) The Family Planning Association provides the following services:-
(a) Sessions at Cloister Road and Northcote Clinics where the Council
assists the Association by the free use of accommodation.
(b) Sessions at Perivale Maternity Hospital.
At all the above sessions advice is given on family planning both for
medical and social reasons. The Council meets the cost of any women
referred on medical grounds. During the year 24 such cases were referred.
(c) The Family Planning Association run a clinic within the premises of
Hillingdon Hospital in conjunction with the hospital's post-natal
clinic. The Council meet the cost of the attendance of approved
patients at this clinic which was opened in May. During the year one
such patient attended.
(d) A domiciliary service designed for those women who fail or who are
reluctant to attend normal birth control sessions was started in May.
These are usually the very women who it is most important should
have advice and those for whom social workers and health visitors are
giving active social support. The Council meet the cost of this service
which during the year provided for 10 patients.
As noted above, following Ministry of Health circular 5/66, no charge is now
made for supplies when family planning is for medical reasons. In addition, in
accordance with this circular notices of times and addresses of family planning
clinics are prominently displayed in all health clinics and the service has been
extended to include mothers from the mother and baby home where medical grounds
exist. The Council have also further considered the question of setting up a Brook
Advisory Centre during the year but doubt as to the legal position has so far hindered
progress.
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