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7 FAMILY PLANNING
The Council's Family Planning Service is provided both
directly and by the Family Planning Association acting
as its agents in accordance with the National Family
Planning Agency Scheme.
In July the Department of Health and Social Security
issued Circular 36/71 which requests local authorities
to inform the Department about the services which they
are providing and the plans that they have for developing
them. It also stresses the importance of domiciliary
services and the role of family planning in the prevention
of illegitimate births and abortions. Following receipt of
this circular a review of the Council's services was
commenced and as an interim measure the Council
decided in November to change its arrangements with the
Family Planning Association. Until then the Council had
operated Application 6 of the Agency Scheme which
meant that it met the cost of both consultation and
supplies to "medical cases" only. These are defined as
women whose health in the opinion of the examining
doctor would be expected to suffer by the increased
medical, physical and social burdens placed on them by
pregnancy. In November the Council adopted Application
5 which means that in addition it now meets the cost of
consultation in all cases. At the same time the Council's
direct service which had previously been restricted to
"medical cases" was made available to all women who
desire family planning.
The services now provided are as follows:-
LOCAL AUTHORITY
1. The health division hold a clinic on alternative weeks
at Cherington House Clinic, Hanwell. Details of
attendance, during the year are shown in the table belcw.
2. A Youth Advisory Clinic is held weekly at Mattock
Lane Clinic to provide counselling and contraceptive
advice for those aged 16-21 years. It is staffed by
a doctor and nurse experienced in adolescent problems
whilst a doctor with post-graduate training in mental
health and a senior psychiatric social worker are
available for consultation where necessary. Those
persons eligible to attend must either be resident or
be attending a state maintained educational establishment
in the Borough. Attendances are shown in the
table below.