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Family Planning
In the period under review the Council's Health Department became increasingly concerned
with the provision of Family Planning Services in the borough.
Family Planning Clinics run by the Family Planning Association were established at five
centres in the borough, three of them in Health Department Clinics provided, without charge,
for this purpose. A standard charge to patients for consultation is made together with the
cost of prescriptions. Newham residents attending these clinics and who have special medical
or social needs, were provided with a completely free service on the recommendation of one of
the Council's medical officers.
In 1966 a free domicilliary family planning service was established by the Council which
has continued to expand since. Newham residents are visited by the Family Planning team on
the receipt of a recommendation from the Council's Health Visitors or Mediecal Officers.
Under the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1967 the Council approved the
provision of a free family planning consultation service for all Newham residents but the
implementation of this policy was postponed because of financial stringency.
Cervical Cytology
A report was submitted to the Health Committee in July 1965 on arrangements for carrying
out tests for the early detection of cervical cancer, commencing with two clinic sessions per
week. This was soon extended to four sessions and by the end of 1965. 508 women had been
tested, either following recommendation from their general practitioners or by personal request.
Since 1966 about 2,000 tests a year have been carried out. In 1970 the Women's National Cancer
Control Campaign loaned to the Health Department a specially fitted caravan which visited
factory premises in the borough. Over 400 women were examined. Further visits to local factories
and shops have since been arranged, making use of medical room facilities provided on their
premises.
Special thanks are due to Dr. Hannah Barnet of Lewisham Hospital and to Dr. Richard
Alexander of Queen Mary's Hospital and their laboratory staff for their share in this work,
without which the scheme would not have been possible.
Chiropody
The Chiropody Service was inaugurated by the Old People's Welfare Committee of the former
County Borough of West Ham in November 1956 and the Council assumed financial control in
September 1961. On 1st April, 1965, the entire Service became the responsibility of the London
Borough of Newham, and Clinics were opened for the first time on the east side of the Borough.
At present seven Clinics are operated, together with domiciliary services. We have been
very fortunate in having a specially built Chiropody Clinic provided in the new Lawrence Hall
by Aston Charities which has allowed us to open an Appliance Section and make fuller use of a
mini-bus service to collect patients who otherwise would have to rely on the domiciliary
service.
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