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FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE
Attendances at family planning clinics run by the Health Department and
the Family Planning Association continued at a substantial level. Attendances
at Council clinics totalled 6,314 and those at Family Planning Association
clinics 5,921, the combined total attendances was 420 less than in 1969. At the
end of the year the Health Department and the Family Planning Association each
had a total of 8½ weekly sessions; all except one are held at the Council's
maternal and child health centres.
The Young People's Advisory Clinic held at the Richmond Road Centre and
run by the Family Planning Association as the Council's agent has proved to be
extremely valuable and the pressure of work necessitated the opening of an
additional fortnightly session. This started in October 1970 and is for referrals
from the existing session where extra time is needed for consultation and for
new cases which are more involved or present special problems. The doctor who
had been in charge of the clinic from its inception resigned during the year
and another was appointed in her place. A handbill giving details of the Young
People's Advisory Clinic was prepared and issued.
In April the Department was informed that the Brook Advisory Clinic had
started a weekly clinic at the Out-patient Department, St. Bartholomew's
Hospital. Problems in the younger age group are catered for. In July the
Council agreed to pay the fees of Hackney residents who attend any of the
clinics run by the Brook Advisory Centres.
The service available to young people was also affected by the Family
Planning Association decision, announced in April, to provide advice on birth
control at all their Clinics for anyone over the age of sixteen years,
irrespective of marital status.
Discussions were held during the year with representatives of the Central
London Branch Family Planning Association about ways of increasing publicity
for the services available, and in particular communicating information to
young married couples and unmarried young people aged 18 - 25. A revised
edition of the information leaflet on Health Department and Family Planning
Association services was printed and the poster "Do you wish to plan the size
of your family" was reissued. An approach to the local Education Department by
the Family Planning Association with Health Department support about publicity
in schools had a rather mixed reception. However it did result in circulation
of a letter to secondary schools setting out details of the educational service
available from the Family Planning Association. The importance of instruction
in the school can never be over-emphasised.
The Domiciliary visiting scheme, run by the Family Planning Association as
the Council's Agent, continued during 1970 when 33 new families were visited
and a total of 63 cases were dealt with.