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9
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
During the year meetings of practitioners in two areas of the Borough continued. The scheme for
the Chalkhill Health Centre reached a stage when in J une work on the site commenced, with an expected date
of completion in September 1969. This Centre will be included on the ground floor of one of the blocks of
flats being built in the Chalkhill Redevelopment, and probably will be the first Health Centre to open in the
town.
Meetings continued with doctors in Kilburn and in Harlesden. After exploratory provisional meetings
the Public Health Committee received a report on the 30th August indicating that general practitioners in this
area had expressed interest in the establishment of a Health Centre in Knatchbull Road/Hillside. The officers
were authorised to make informal approaches to the Ministry of Health to ascertain their reaction to the establishment
of such a Centre. In November the Housing Committee agreed to the proposal that the Centre should
be integrated on the ground floor of one of the blocks of flats to be built in Knatchbull Road, and on the 18th
December the Finance Committee approved a tender for Stage III of the Stonebridge Redevelopment, including
the Centre, and agreed to submit this tender for loan sanction. Loan sanction had not been received at the end
of the year but is confidently expected. In the meantime schedules of accommodation, sketch plans and more
detailed drawings had been prepared of a Health Centre containing all Local Authority services and offering
accommodation to 10 general practitioners and 2 dentists. During the whole of the negotiations the practitioners
who propose to use the Centre were fully consulted, the consultants of the Central Middlesex Hospital
were kept appraised and made valuable contributions to the discussions, and at the end of the year the informal
phase of planning was over and the scheme in such a state of development that it could be submitted to the
Ministry of Health for formal approval.
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, it is the duty of every local health authority
to make arrangements for the care, including dental care, of expectant and nursing mothers and of children
under 5 years of age, who are not attending primary schools maintained by the local education authority.
Child Welfare and Ante-Natal Cltnics
The personal service provided for ante-natal and post-natal mothers and the care of their children in
the fifteen health clinics in the Borough continues to be widely used. Thirteen of the clinics are purpose built,
one is adapted, and one is held in hired premises. Health education and advice is given in the person to
person, and group situation. Projects are displayed in all clinics.

Mothercraft Classes
Mothercraft and relaxation classes are often combined and these are held in all clinics. There were
3,362 attendances at the 596 classes held. The special psycho-prophylaxis class held at Kilburn Square Clinic
for ante-natal patients continues to expand. The second annual meeting was most successful. About 60 parents
and staff heard a most interesting talk by a paediatrician, followed by a lively discussion and refreshments.
Cervical Cytology
Cervical Cytology Clinics were held at Stag Lane Clinic on Wednesday mornings, at Kilburn Square
Clinic on Saturday mornings, and at London Road Clinic on Monday mornings. There were 1,350 attendances
at the three clinics during the year.
The service has been co-ordinated into areas. A meeting of all officers concerned to discuss future
policy was attended by Executive Council, Borough Council and Hospital representatives. The Ministry grouping
has made 3 divisions in Brent and this has resulted in extra organisation. All has gone smoothly and slides
are examined at Mount Vernon, Paddington General and Central Middlesex Hospitals.