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
Croydon 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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159
Although since the passing of the National Health Act free
treatment is now available through the General Practitioner
Service, there is so far little indication that parents wish to avail
themselves of such facilities for their children. In practice it has
been found that during recent months practitioners have had little
time to devote to juvenile patients, and have in many cases recommended
that attention should be obtained at the school clinic
instead.
The following analysis demonstrates the progressive rise in
the acceptance rate during recent vears:—
| 1948. | 1947. | 1946. | 1943. | 1937. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. referred for— | |||||
| Treatment | 9432 | 9728 | 12046 | 9041 | 13498 |
| Consents | 7019:74.4% | 7093:72.9% | 8433:70% | 5642:62.4% | 7762:57.5% |
| (Total Consents Including Specials)* | (9316:79.1%) | (9006:77.3%) | (13810:74%) | (6814:67%) | (10146:63%) |
| Refusals | 1153:12.3 % | 1107: 11.8% | 1542:12.8% | 1519: 16.8% | 3242: 24% |
| Forms Not Returned | 1255:13.3 % | 1488: 15.3% | 2071:17.2% | 1880: 20.8% | 2494:18.5% |
| * Specials.—Those referred by Head Teachers with Emergency Forms | |||||
Treatment.
Of 9,516 children consenting to treatment (including specials)
9,344 (98.2 per cent.) were treated and 8,614 (90.5 per cent.) cured
(completely), compared with 9,006 consenting, 8,666 (96 per cent.)
treated, and 7,830 (86.9 per cent.) cured in 1947.
Clinical sessions rose from 1,795 in 1947, to 1,832. Attendances
during the year rose from 10.6 to 10.9 patients per session.
Though these figures indicate a slight advance on the previous
year, the overall position cannot be considered satisfactory whilst
so many children are precluded from receiving an annual inspection
and treatment.
Another undesirable feature noted during the year has been
the very appreciable increase in requests for emergency treatment,
caused by delay in revisiting certain schools. Whilst every effort
has been made to meet these demands, such work can only be
carried out at the expense of those already awaiting treatment,
and thus routine measures are further retarded.
129