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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We are also concerned with the examination of employees referred to us who have been
absent from work for a longer period, or who appear to be unfit for their job.
Examinations are held with a view to consideration of retirement due to ill health, of
an employee on medical grounds.
It is the Council Policy to examine Manual Staff after 4 months employment, the Employing
Department providing the information about their job requirement.
During the year 950 medical examinations were arranged as against 1,268 in 1970. The
difference is explained by the fact that more frequently a medical enquiry was established before
the person was called for a medical examination. Thereby resulting in more people being passed
on the reports received from the General Practitioners and Consultants as well as X-ray reports.
In 1971, all medical histories and medical reports were made available for the medical officer before conducting the session, thus less employees needed to be medically examined and could be passed without being called for medical examination.
| 1970 | 1971 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of health statements submitted | 1,537 | 1,463 |
| No. of sessions arranged | 139 | 103 |
| Medical Examinations arranged. | ||
| Staff and Manual | 883 | 530 |
| Review and Special Cases | 74 | 120 |
| Teacher Training College Admissions | 233 | 231 |
| Medical Certificates completed for Department of Education and Science | 70 | 55 |
| Medicals arranged for other authorities | 8 | 14 |
| TOTAL | 1,268 | 950 |
| Males examined | 363 | 237 |
| Females examined | 905 | 713 |
SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The closest possible working relationship has been maintained with this newly established
Department at all levels to avoid disruption of existing services and enhance new ones. As an
example of the former the continuing screening of applications for day nurseries, playgroups
and childminding may be quoted and for the latter the involvement of the Deputy Medical
Officer of Health as medical adviser to the Adoption Committee.
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