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6. 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 1968, 125 new patients were
seen and a total of 453 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 22 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. 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. 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 12 patients.
During the year the Council carried out a comprehensive review of the family planning services
available in the borough. Discussions were then commenced with the local branch of the Family
Planning Association with a view to increasing the provision as recommended by the 1967 Family
Planning Act, and to include the setting-up of a Youth Advisory Centre. It is hoped that these
increased provisions will commence next year.
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