London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Croydon 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
This page requires JavaScript
112
Compared with recent years acceptances show a fall of some
2.5 per cent. Whilst at the present time this may be regarded as
a not unmixed blessing it undoubtedly represents the public
reaction to conditions existing in (he Service. This view is confirmed
bv various communications from parents expressing
dissatisfaction at the long waiting period for treatment and
informing us of their decision to make alternative arrangements
in future.
The following Table demonstrates the progressive rise in the
acceptance rate during recent years:—
| 1950. | 1949. | 1946. | 1943. | 1937. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. referred for— | |||||
| Treatment | 11716 | 9404 | 12046 | 9041 | 13498 |
| Consents | 8420: 71.9% | 6996:74.4 % | 8433: 70% | 5642:62.4% | 7762:57.5% |
| (Total Consents Including Specials)* | 10817:76.6%) | (10098:80 7%) | (13810:74%) | (6814: 67%) | (10146:63%) |
| Refusals | 1757:15.% | 1213:12.9% | 1542:12.8% | 1519: 16.8% | 3242: 24% |
| Forms Not Returned | 1539:13.1 % | 1195:12.7% | 2071:17.2% | 1880: 20.8% | 2494:18.5% |
| *Specials.—Those referred by Head Teachers with Emergency Forms | |||||
Treatment.
Of 10,817 children consenting to treatment (including
specials) 9,717 (89.8 per cent.) were treated and 8,220 (75.9 per
cent.) cured (completely), compared with 10,098 consenting, 9,513
(94.2 per cent.) treated, and 8,302 (82.6 per cent.) cured in 1949.
As a result chiefly of increased sessions by part-time staff,
operative sessions rose from 1,605 to 1,921. Assistance thus given
has materially helped in reducing arrears of treatment, particularly
for schools in outlying areas. Because of this, appreciably less
time has been spent in dealing with casual cases, and it has been
possible for the energies of the staff to be more constructively
employed. An index of the improved position will be gained in
noting that the ratio of fillings inserted per 100 children treated,
which in more normal times stood at approximately 120 and fell
in 1949 to 65.3, has now assumed the more substantial level of
98.6 for the current year.