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
Wimbledon 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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GENERAL PROVISION OF HEATH SERVICES
FOR THE AREA.
Laboratory Facilities.
The Corporation employ a part-time bacteriologist for the
examination of pathological specimens.
The Department suffered a great loss by the death, in February,
of Dr. J.H. Johnston who had carried out much of the laboratory work in
the Borough for many years. Arrangements were then made for this work
to be done by Dr. Deas in the pathological laboratory at the Nelson
Hospital.
For special investigations advantage was taken of the facilities
available at the Emergency Public Health Laboratory of the Ministry of
Health at Epsom and a considerable number of specimens was sent for
examination in 1942.
In addition, the laboratory provided at the Health Centre is
utilised for the examination of pathological specimens from the
Infectious Diseases Hospital. This work is carried out by the staff
of the Public Health Department.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
The total number of visits paid by the Health Visitors during 1942, amounted to 7,334, the figure for the previous year being 6,334.
Details of the home visits carried out are given below:-
| Number of Infants visited - First visits | 605 | |
| Number of Infants visited - Re-visits | 1,188 | |
| Number of Toddlers visited | 1,928 | |
| Ante-natal - First visits | 411 | |
| Ante-natal - Revisits | 62 | |
| Visits re Infant Deaths | 5 | |
| " " Stillbirths | 10 | |
| " " Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 9 | |
| " " Puerperal Pyrexia | 3 | |
| " " Non-notifiable Infectious Diseases | 79 | |
| " " Milk Applications | 8 | |
| " " Foster Children | 238 | |
| " " Midwives | 1 | |
| Miscellaneous | 1,072 | |
| Total welfare visits | 5,619 | |
| Visits - School Medical Service | 816 | |
| Tuberculosis - Home Visits | 30 | |
| Visits to Nursing Homes | 16 | |
| Other visitis | 16 | |
| Ineffectual visits | 837 | 1,715 |
| Total visits | 7,334 |
The Maternity and Child Welfare Centres remained open throughout
the year. At Pelham Road Centre two sessions per week were held. The
average attendance at the Tuesday sessions was 81.92 and at the Friday
sessions 71.42. At the Cottenham Park Centre the average weekly
attendance was 53.92. The average attendance at the Wandle Park Centre
was 45.66. The attendances at each of the Centres showed substantial
increases. Improvements were carried out at the Cottenham Park Centre
at St. Matthews Church Hull by the installation in December of suitable
heating apparatus.
Ante-natal Clinic.
The Pelham Road Ante-natal Clinic was held on Monday each week and
the average attendance was 22.79. In view of the large attendances in
the early part of the year it was decided to hold an additional weekly
session at this Centre. On 18th April, therefore, a Saturday morning
session was started and the average attendance to the end of the year
was 15.16. Tne Ante-natal Clinic at Wandle Park, was held every other
week. The average attendance was 11.23.
Midwifery and Maternity Services - Midlives Act, 136.
A service of whole-time domiciliary midwives is provided by the
Wimbledon District Nursing and Midwifery Association under an agreement
with the Council.
6.