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26
FAMILY PLANNING
There was an increase in the family planning services provided in this
Borough during the year.

Family planning clinics were held at Richmond Road Maternity and Child
Welfare Centre (2 sessions) and Shoreditch Health Centre, and a further clinic
was opened at the John Scott Health Centre in October to meet the increased
demand for this service.
FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION
In addition to clinics provided by the Local Authority, the Family Planning
Association hold sessions at Lower Clapton Road Maternity and Child Welfare Centre
and John Scott Health Centre. The Family Planning Association has the free
use of clinic premises at their sessions, which are all held in the evening.
An additional session at the John Scott Health Centre was approved in June.
The Association also holds a session at Morning Lane Reception Centre for
which a grant is made by the Council in addition to the main grant which was
increased to cover the rising cost of services given by the Association.
For some years it has been the policy to re-imburse expenses incurred by
the Family Planning Association only in those cases that are referred on medical
grounds by the medical staff of the Department. In May the Council extended
the scheme to include women who are referred to a Family Planning Association
clinic on medical grounds by general practitioners and hospital staff provided
prior approval is obtained from the Medical Officer of Health. The number of
cases where the cost was met by the Council was 163.
DEVELOPMENTS
With the future government policy on family planning in mind, the Minister
of Health asked Local Authorities to review their existing arrangements, especially
in regard to charges and health education. As a result charges for
supplies at the Council's own clinics have been discontinued.
Leaflets about the family planning services available are distributed by
health visitors and midwives and, in addition, notices of sessions are displayed
at centres. It has been found from experience that the individual approach on
the part of medical and nursing staff is the most acceptable and effective method
of drawing attention to family planning. This is done by the medical officers
at ante-natal, post-natal and child welfare clinics and by health visitors in
their all important visits to the homes of young mothers.
In June, the Health Committee approved a domiciliary service for mothers
needing family planning advice on health grounds, but who, by reason of having
a large family of young children are unable to attend a clinic, or because of
their attitude are unwilling to do so. The service is to be provided by the
Family Planning Association with the co-operation of the woman's general practitioner
and with the approval of the Medical Officer of Health in each case.