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11
FAMILY PLANNING
There was a considerable expansion of the family planning service in 1969. Each of the three Council
clinics offering the service commenced a second session—London Road on 9th May, Stonebridge on 2nd June,
and Kilburn Square on 23rd June. The sessions now held are: —
London Road Clinic Administered by Council — two mornings
Kilburn Square Clinic „ „ „ — morning and afternoon
Stonebridge Clinic „ „ „ — morning and afternoon
Stag Lane Clinic „ „ F.P.A. — evening
Neasden Clinic „ „ „ — evening
Pound Lane Clinic „ „ „ — evening
One Tree Hill Clinic „ „ „ — morning and evening
At the beginning of the year, the Council decided that oral contraceptives should be supplied on
social grounds at Council Clinics. This decision was implemented on 1st April, and the charge determined by
the general principle of cost price plus 10%. Free supplies are prescribed for patients in receipt of Social
Security Benefit.
The Borough of Brent is in the area administered by the North West London Branch of the Family
Planning Association and the clinic premises listed above are provided free of charge to the Association for
holding sessions. A grant of £300 was made to this Branch in 1969/70. In addition, Brent patients who are
referred to clinics administered by other Branches of the Association have consultation fees and supplies,
other than oral contraceptives, paid for by the Council. The number of referrals was reduced as a result of
the extra sessions commenced in Brent during the year.
INCIDENCE OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATION
In accordance with the requirements of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and
Social Security, information is supplied to the Registrar General concerning congenital defects apparent at
birth.
A summary of notifications received and an analysis of malformations notified are shown in Tables
9 and 10.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
(Table 11)
There are 16 full-time and four part-time midwives on the establishment. The number of full-time
midwives has been maintained during the year. Three part-time midwives were employed, the vacancy is
not being filled for the time being.
A scheme for attaching midwives to general practitioners' surgeries was introduced during the year
and four midwives are now attached. The scheme is working satisfactorily.
Midwives who are not attached hold their own ante-natal sessions observing close liaison with
general practitioners, obstetricians and hospital services. Ante-natal care includes classes in preparation for
childbirth, use of analgesics, i.e. gas and air, trilene and pethilorfan.
Sterilised maternity outfits are provided for all mothers who have home confinements, and a modified
pack is provided for early discharges from hospital.
The Maternity Medical Services Co-operation Card is used between midwives and general practitioners.
Its purpose is to ensure that each member of the team is aware of the attention given to patients by
other members.
Refresher Courses
Five midwives attended refresher courses during the year to comply with Section G.l of the Rules
of the Central Midwives' Board which require every practising midwife to attend a residential refresher course
every five years.
Pupil Midwives
A total of 23 pupil midwives were accepted for Part II district training from St. Mary's Hospital,
Harrow Road, W.9 and Central Middlesex Hospital.
As a result of the continuing decline in domiciliary bookings with its adverse effect on the training
of pupils, i.e. insufficient cases to meet the requirements of the Central Midwives' Board, a revised scheme of
training was approved by the Board. As from 1st November, 1968, the number of cases delivered by pupils
was reduced from ten to six. An additional four patients to be delivered within the hospital during the intern
part of the training. In addition to complying with the Rules of the Board, a programme of talks and visits
was arranged extending over the 13 week period of domiciliary training. At the request of the Board the
programme was planned to give pupils a broad outline of community care, with a composite picture of the
work of the Local Authority as it affects community care generally and the maternity services in particular.
48 Hour Discharges
469 patients were discharged from hospital before the 10th day. The majority were planned for early
discharge, others were accepted on account of emotional disturbances and domestic difficulties, and a number
took their own discharge. Three part-time midwives are employed for the nursing of early discharges.