[Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, St Helens County Borough.

  • St. Helens (Merseyside, England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1966
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, St Helens County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    50/114 (page 48)
    Family Planning—Ministry of Health Circular 5/66. In connection with the above Ministry of Health Circular, the following report was submitted by the Medical Officer of Health to the Health Committee in the early part of the year. This report was adopted in principle by the Health Committee, who empowered the Medical Officer of Health to enter into detailed negotiations with the voluntary bodies concerned. By the autumn of the year, agreement was reached whereby the Local Health Authority would make use of the Family Planning Association who would receive a grant of £100 per annum, and the two local Marriage Guidance Councils who would receive a grant of £75 per annum. At the end of one year, an assessment will be made of the financial position, and any necessary adjustments made to the Associations in the light of the numbers passing through the clinics. Referring to Minute No. 39 of this Committee, held on the 9th March, 1966, I am submitting a further report in connection with Ministry of Health Circular 5/66. This circular generally outlines the Minister’s views on the extent to which Local Health Authorities should concern themselves in the provision of information and service to the public in connection with planned parenthood. In the light of his recommendations, he asks Local Authorities to review their present arrangements and, if necessary, to extend them. His recommendations fall under three main headings:— (1) The retention of existing services or the establishment of new services for gynaecological and post-natal work to advise and assist mothers suffering from ill-health or post-natal complications which might affect future child bearing. (2) The establishment of services covering a wider field for those who desire advice directed towards planned parenthood even although no danger to health has been, or is likely to be, involved. (3) The provision of general education in family planning and family guidance through the medium of nurses and social workers. In some case, training of staff may be required. I shall comment on these points as follows:— (1) Gynaecological and post-natal advice through the clinic services has been available for many years, and this clinic works in close liaison with Hospital Consultants in the provision of appropriate gynaecological or post-natal treatment for mothers suffering com¬ plications following child-birth. At the moment this clinic requires no expansion and it is suggested that this service be retained. (2) As regards the general extension of advisory services directed towards family planning apart from specific danger to health, the Minister notes the restriction on Health Authorities under present legislation. He points out, however, the existing powers of Local Authorities to contribute to and support voluntary bodies. He urges strongly, therefore, that this work should be carried out through the agency of the Family Planning Association and other voluntary bodies who are already undertaking this work locally. He points out that these bodies have the advantage of long ex¬ perience and are assisted by expert knowledge and advice through their trained workers.