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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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Once a month a group officers' meeting is held. The Housing Manager or his Deputy takes
the Chair, his Department being represented by the Applications and Lettings Officer, Senior
Housing Assistant and the Home Visitor. The Principal Medical Officer and a Senior Medical
Officer attend. The recommendation of this meeting gives the Housing Manager executive power
to proceed.
The breakdown of applications dealt with between 1st January 1971 to 31st December 1971 is given below.
Figures for 1970 are given in brackets.
| No. of new referrals including second applications after a lapse of 12 months | Review cases (in addition to previous column) | Applications supported | Applications not supported | Applications still being dealt with | No. of visits by Medical Officers | No. of interviews with applicants in Health Department |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 | 50 (approx) | 147 | 208* | 193 | 325 | 60 (approx) |
| (501) | (164) | (185) | - | (336) |
*These will proceed on the points system as mentioned in paragraph 5.
It is generally held that the scheme described above when viewed against the scarcity of
resources is satisfactory.
However when faced with the health problems of today, many of which are directly
connected with the environment, one cannot but reflect how many of them could have been
prevented had the health aspect been fully considered at the inception of the planning stage.
In looking to the future I hope for strong links to be forged between all professions involved
in providing the community with the best possible housing.
STAFF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
A Staff Medical Service is run by this Department to ensure that the person employed
is physically fit to carry out the duties of the post to which he has been appointed by the
Council.
All candidates entering Teacher Training Colleges are examined irrespective of their case
history and so are all those which are required by the Department of Education and Science
(28 RQ). In addition, all canteen assistants, midday meal supervisors, school secretaries, clerical
assistants and laboratory technicians employed by the Education Department are called for full
medical examination.
All heavy vehicle drivers have the statutory medical examination after clearance of their
previous history with their general practitioner.
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