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Family Planning
The Council has made arrangements for advice and treatment (including
supplies) without charge through the Family Planning Association for women to
whom pregnancy would be detrimental to health. Eleven women were referred
during the year.
The wider need of planned parenthood, where no specific danger to health
exists and which at present falls outwith the statutory scope of a local health
authority, is met by the Family Planning Association and general medical
practitioners.
Nevertheless, a local health authority, recognising this important aspect of
family welfare, can assist a voluntary association.
The Council continued to make available, free of charge, clinic premises to
the Family Planning Association, and four new sessions at clinic premises were
approved during 1966. In addition, an annua] financial contribution is made to
the Association.
The Family Planning Association also started a session at Chase Farm Hospital,
Enfield, for the supply and fitting of intra-uterine devices, and one woman
referred by the local authority was treated at this clinic in 1966.
Family planning is also included in the health education activities of the
Health Department.
Ministry of Health Circular 5/66 advised local health authorities that the
Minister had had under consideration the present and future development of
family planning services which he regarded as an essential aspect of family welfare.
He urged local health authorities to review their present arrangements for family
planning in the light of these considerations and of the suggestions also contained
in the circular. This was done and the authority's arrangements were found to be
developing along the lines suggested in the circular. The following further action
was taken:—
(a) An additional contribution of £100 was made to the local branch of the
Family Planning Association to enable the Association to extend their
work to problem families in the Borough.
(b) Discussions were arranged with the Family Planning Association resulting
in further facilities being offered at our clinics. As a result, additional
clinic premises were made available and extra sessions at other clinics
were approved.
(c) Arrangements were made to overprint the Association's publicity leaflets
with information about local sessional facilities at our clinics and at
hospitals.
(d) Discussions were started with the Family Planning Association regarding
a domiciliary service for women unable or unwilling to attend a clinic.
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