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
Edmonton 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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There is a tremendous tendency for the various sections of a
Department in Local Government to become "closed" to other
sections and these tendencies are also characteristic of the various
committees of the Council. To be effective each member of the
health team should know of the work of the other members of the
team, besides having some knowledge of the statutory and other
resources available. There is, therefore, a necessity for Local
Government to establish good relationships and to co-ordinate the
various sections into one administrative whole, as only in this
way can complete success be achieved.
As these are my final words as Medical Officer of Health, I
think it would be of interest to readers if I gave an indication
as to the scope of some of the services now carried out by the
Middlesex County Council in Area No. 1 (Edmonton and Enfield)
under the joint administration of Dr. W. D. Hyde and myself. I
will therefore attempt to give a very brief resume of the activities
with special reference where possible to the Edmonton district.
The following services are now provided in clinic establishments in the Edmonton district:—
| 1. Ante-Natal Clinics. | 10. | Ophthalmic Clinic. |
| 2. Post-Natal Clinics. | 11. | Orthoptic Clinic. |
| 3. Infant Welfare Clinics. | 12. | Orthopaedic Clinic. |
| 4. Relaxation Classes. | 13. | Paediatric Clinic. |
| 5. Child Guidance Clinic. | 14. | Speech Clinic. |
| 6. Dental Clinics. | 15. | Inspection Clinic. |
| 7. Foot Clinics. | 16. | Vaccination and Immunisation Clinics. |
| 8. Minor Ailments Clinics. | ||
| 9. Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. |
Home Nursing.—This is one of the most important developments
of the National Health Service Act, 1946, and 26 nurses are
now employed in the area. During 1956 they paid a total of
84,587 visits in Edmonton and Enfield.
Midwifery.—The 16 midwives for Area No. 1 do very valuable
work in the homes and are now equipped with gas and air
and trilene apparatus. The holding of relaxation classes for
expectant mothers has become very popular and has proved of
inestimable assistance in the education and health of the "mothersto-be."
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