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6. FAMILY PLANNING
Following a comprehensive review of the Family planning Service in the Borough
increased provision in accordance with the recommendation of the Family planning Act
1967 was introduced this year, the expanded service now being:-
(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 1969, 46 new patients were seen and a total of 322 visits
were made to the clinic.
(2) The Family Planning Association provides the following services:-
(a) Sessions at Cloister Road, Northcote, Mattock Lane and Northolt Grange
Clinics where the Council assists the Association by the free use of
accommodation.
(b) Sessions at Perivale Maternity Hospital.
At all of the above sessions the Council meets the cost of women referred on
medical and social necessity grounds.
(c) The Family Planning Association runs 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.
(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 30 patients.
(e) A Youth Advisory Clinic was commenced in September and is held weekly at
Mattock Lane Clinic to provide counselling and contraceptive advice for
those aged 16 - 21 years. The clinic is staffed by a local authority doctor
with post-graduate training in mental health, a psychiatric social worker
and a Family Planning doctor and nurse appointed by the local branch of the
Family planning Association. A consultant psychiatrist is available for
consultation where necessary. Those persons eligible to attend must either
be resident or attending a state-maintained educational establishment in the
Borough. The advisory part of the service is given without charge but
payment is requested for supplies.
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