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(1) the erection of semi-permanent prefabricated units, capable
of expansion or modification on lines justified by practical
experience of their working;
(2) the expansion and adaptation of existing modern and
well-designed premises now used for school health and
maternity and child welfare services, to include the
new services of group medical practice, etc.
In this latter respect Tottenham has a special claim for early
consideration in that a building programme of health centre
development was commenced in the immediate pre-war years.
Two modern and well-designed premises were completed at an
approximate cost each of £20,000. The scheme provided for:—
(1) Neighbourhood health centres, to serve units of 20,000
population, suitably spaced within convenient reach of
the families to be served. Of this class the centre and
day nursery in Park Lane, Tottenham, was completed
in 1939.
A second centre of this type, but with a child guidance
unit in the place of the day nursery, was to be built
on a site acquired for the purpose in Cornwall Road,
Tottenham. Though the plans had been accepted, this
project had to be indefinitely postponed on the outbreak
of war.
(2) A community health centre providing premises similar to the
neighbourhood health centre, but sited in relation to
recreational, cultural and social activities as an integral
part of the plan. With the Peckham Experiment in mind
it was thought that here the public would be more likely
to co-operate in periodic health overhauls, under conditions
where each member of the family visits the community
health centre for its social, educational and
recreational attractions, irrespective of the benefits
conferred by health inspections and advice on health
matters.
Such a centre was erected at Lordship Lane, Tottenham,
and opened to the public in 1938. On the same site is a
large recreation ground which includes a specially designed