London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bexley 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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DISTRIBUTION OF WELFARE FOODS
Details of the annual issues are as follows : —
| 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Dried Milk (Packets) | 10,826 | 13,078 | 7.630 | 4,908 | 3,687 |
| National Orange Juice (Bottles) | 62,900 | 86,074 | 82,750 | 77,645 | 78,600 |
| National Cod Liver Oil (Bottles) | 2,594 | 3,094 | 2,737 | 2,488 | 2,320 |
| A. & D. Tablets (Packets) | 3,430 | 4,395 | 3,608 | 3,369 | 3,243 |
| Proprietary Dried Milk (Packets) | 35,928 | 46,778 | 48,146 | 51,335 | 50,580 |
| Proprietary Vitamin Preparations (items) | 26,309 | 37,356 | 37,764 | 36,300 | 34,091 |
| Other (Packets) | 10,249 | 13,740 | 11,736 | 10,679 | 10,272 |
Mothers are educated and encouraged to give their infants balanced diets and not become
dependent on dietary supplements. As far as possible, these are issued only when there is a danger
that a child's health may be at risk if the supplements are not provided.
DAY NURSERIES, CHILD MINDERS AND PLAY GROUPS
Under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948, the Council is required to
register all nurseries in the area and all persons who, for reward, receive children under five years
of age into their homes. The Health Service and Public Health Act, 1968, amended the 1948 Act
laying down stricter requirements for the care of children under five and making it obligatory for
certain information to be supplied regarding the health of the staff at nurseries and child minders
and generally requiring higher standards of accommodation, equipment, meals, etc. than had
previously applied.
Regular inspections by medical and health visiting staff are made to all nurseries and child
minders' accommodation.
There is no Council owned nursery in the Borough. There is a need for such provision and a site
has been available in Belvedere close to the station and convenient for many industrial undertakings.
Unfortunately planning and financial problems have delayed the provision of this much
needed facility.
The number of nurseries, child minders and playgroups in the Borough is shown in the following table
| 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Nurseries | 15 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| No. of Places | 520 | 536 | 152 | 148 | 178 |