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24
FAMILY PLANNING
For many years the Family Planning Association nas done valuaole work in
this spnere. It was permissiDle however for local health authorities to deal
witn women who require advice and supplies on medical grounds only. 1067 saw
a major development in these services.
The National Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1067, was passed in
June and tnis conferred on local health authorities in England and Wales general
power to make arrangements for the giving of advice on contraception, medical
examination of persons seeking such advice, and the supply of contraceptive
substances and appliances. The most important feature of this Act so far as
local health authorities are concerned is that it enables tnem to give advice
to persons who need it on social grounds and not, as hitherto, on medical
grounds only. It was agreed between the Council and the Family Planning
Association, in giving effect to the Act that the Family Planning Association
will continue their existing service and that from 1st January, 1968, the
Council will reimDurse expenditure which relates to Hackney residents. It is
hoped that the implementation of the Act will bear out the Minister's statement
in nis circular to local health authorities in 1966, that an adequate family
planning service, fully integrated with other community services, is an essential
part of family welfare. It should help also to release the burden placed on
other services by the physical ill-health and mental distress arising from lacK
of knowledge and advice. The service is free except that a small cnarge is made
for supplies in non-medical cases.
Approval was given in August to tne opening of additional weekly sessions
at Shoreditch Health Centre and John Scott Health Centre for fitting the
intra-uterine device. Up to this time, the only session of this kind was run
by tne Family Planning Association at Hackney Hospital and the demand had exceeded
tne facilities available there. An additional session for conventional
methods was also opened at Goulton Road Treatment Centre in October. Although
these premises belong to the Inner London Education Authority, they readily
gave approval to their use for this session. Seven sessions a week are also
held by the Family Planning Association.
An arrangement whereby women who are unable to visit clinics are given
advice and supplies in their own homes was begun in February. It is proving
a very valuable addition to the service. Referrals are made through this
Department by doctors and health visitors; and the family doctor's agreement
is obtained in each case. A doctor andanurse then visit the woman's home for
the giving of advice, examination and supplies. There were 55 cases referred
for this service during the year.
As in previous years, efforts are made in tne maternal and child health
centres by medical and health visiting staff, and also by the latter at their
home visits, to acquaint women with the facts about family planning.
Posters and notices of sessions are displayed in the centres, and leaflets
are distributed selectively.
Tnere appears to be a steady, if slowly increasing awareness by women of
the desiraoility of availing themselves of the service. The new Act widens the
scope, and plans were being made at the end of the year for bringing the comprehensive
services more fully to the notice of those to whom it applies.
There were 211 family planning sessions held in Council Clinics at which
961 persons attended. The total attendance was 2300. A total of 1475 persons
made 6877 attendances at Family Planning Association Clinics.