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
Hounslow 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hounslow]
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In general the health of the students at the College was
satisfactory in 1971. It is however, sad to see disease
Overtake some students because of an inadequate
knowledge of health principles. It is evident that while
health education must continue at College, students should
have received a basic training in health subjects at their
primary and secondary schools.
It is essential for lecturers and teachers who undertake
the health education of young people to have adequate
specialised knowledge and sound training in this difficult
art. Tuition in human relations is both valuable and
necessary for young people. The basic principles of health
education, however, which are concerned with the
preservation and promotion of a person's mental and
physical health, should not be submerged in a welter of
psychology and sociology, often little understood by the
student.
During the year the following examinations, assessments and consultations were carried out
| Medically assessed | 1971 | 1970 | 1969 | 1968 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With pre-employment medical examinations | 264 | 318 | 385 | 387 |
| Without pre-employment medical examinations | 1398 | 1499 | 1304 | 1434 |
| Left before completion of medical assessment | 64 | 86 | 107 | 106 |
| Staff medical consultations (including medical examination of existing staff for purpose of admission to the superannuation scheme, sickness pay scheme, continued fitness for employment and registered disabled persons examinations). | 582 | 394 | 343 | 173 |
| Heavy Goods Vehicle Licence medical examination (Road Traffic Act 1967) | 53 | 62 | ||
| Nursing consultations | 174 | 56 (½year) | ||
| Nursing occupational health visits | 129 | 74 (½ year) | ||
| Medical examination of other local authority staff | 17 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
| Medical examinations carried out by other local authorities | 2 | 8 | 15 | 1 |
| Medical examination for first teaching appointments | 136 | *90 | 99 | 93 |
| Medical examination of student teachers (College Entrants) | 226 | *233 | 213 | 230 |
| (Marked * amended 1970 figures) |
The Medical and Nursing Advisory Service to local industry
Within the boundary of the Borough there are over 900
factories. These are mainly small concerns employing less
than fifty people. The industry is chiefly light engineering
but includes, chemical, transport, woodwork, printing,
rubber and building.
There is no national occupational health service in the
United Kingdom at present and the problem of providing a
health service for medium sized and small factories has been
solved in areas such as Slough and the Central Middlesex by
setting up group industrial health services financed by the
industries of these areas. There are only seven group
industrial health services in England.
In addition to requests for advice on industrial health
matters from factory managers, it was possible for the
doctor and nurse to make routine visits to some factories
in the central Hounslow area. Advice was given to
management on industrial hygiene, provision of first aid
equipment and accident prevention. No charge is made to
local industry for this service except where clinical work or
environmental investigations are carried out.
It has been said by LANE R E 1954 and others that
local authority health departments should take a more
active interest in industrial health. Hounslow is one of the
few authorities that have considered in a practical way the
occupational health of its residents.
The full time staff of the Occupational Health Unit is
Dr A R Broadbent, Nurse A M Griffin and Mrs I C Guy
(Secretary).
Reference: LANE R E (1954) Lancet, ii, 1329
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