London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Brent 1970

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]

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11
Child Health and Ante-Natal Clinics
Chichester Terrace Clinic came under the South Kilburn Redevelopment programme, and was
closed on 25th March prior to demolition. All records were transferred to Kilburn Square Clinic and families
were invited to attend the sessions there. A special session was arranged where they could meet their own
district health visitor and so continue contact and relationships already formed. Furniture and fitments were
allocated to various clinics and services of the Council, or stored at Kilburn Square until needed elsewhere.
The Chalkhill Health Centre was opened in September. Local authority and general practitioner
services are held under the same roof, and a Management Committee deals with re-orientation and adjustment
to a new way of working.
Provision of a comprehensive personal service for ante-natal and post-natal mothers and the care
of their children is the constant aim of the Council's health clinics. Emphasis is placed upon preventive and
health education aspects, and parents are encouraged to avail themselves of all the services for prophylaxis.
The accelerated birth control programme and the increase in child minding both reported elsewhere,
have no doubt contributed to the decrease in clinic attendances during the year under review.

Child Health Clinics

Clinic sessionsTotal AttendancesSeen by doctorReferred elsewhereAverage attendance per session
2,30253,27917,21764623.1

Ante-natal Clinics

SessionsAttendancesAverage attendance per session
Ante-natalPost-natal
8403,492894.3

Mothercraft Classes
Provision of classes for relaxation and mothercraft for ante-natal mothers are provided in most
clinics in the Borough. Two mothers' clubs have been opened, one at Kilburn Square and one at Pound Lane
Clinic. A third is being organised at Chalkhill Health Centre. Child development, health and prophylaxis,
along with other topics on environment are discussed. A special class to give guidance and support to
mothers with children showing behavioural stress or handicap is held at London Road Clinic.
Cervical Cytology
Sessions for screening for cervical cancer were held throughout the year at London Road Clinic
on Friday mornings, Kilburn Square clinic on Saturday mornings and Stag Lane on Wednesday mornings
until transfer to Chalkhill Health Centre on 2nd December 1970.
Patients attending the birth control clinics at Chalkhill Health Centre, London Road, Stonebridge
and Kilburn Square clinics, and Kingsbury Maternity and Central Middlesex hospitals are also offered
screening if required. A scheme to give appointments to Post Office personnel was set up, and provision of an
evening session is being actively pursued. One thousand, three hunderd and thirty-six patients attended
during 1970.
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act 1948
As Amended by the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968
There was a steady increase in the number of applications for registration as child minders throughout
the year; and a number of removals. Four hundred and thirty-nine persons were registered at the end of
1970, providing 1,356 places. The total number of premises registered for play-groups increased from 45 to
53, providing 1,551 places.
The Council accepted the London Fire Brigade's recommendations on Regulations for Fire
Precautions, circulated in October 1969.
All play-groups were visited by one of the Fire Service's Prevention Officers, accompanied by the
Superintendent Health Visitor. Advice was given at each visit and written recommendation forwarded to
the owner of each group.
In December, a part-time Fire-Prevention Officer was appointed to inspect the premises of all child
minders, and progress is most satisfactory.