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
Hammersmith 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith.
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STAFF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
All applicants for employment with the Council are required to complete a detailed questionnaire which is
considered by the Principal Medical Officer who then decides whether a medical examination is necessary.
Medical examinations, however, are still carried out in the following cases:
1. Personnel in contact with children
2. Cases of prolonged sickness
3. Personnel for extension of service
4. All food handlers
Chest X-Rays are required for all staff joining the Council.
Tribute must once again be paid to the general practitioners and hospital specialists who supply essential
information in so many cases. With their specialised knowledge given so willingly, doubtful cases are properly
assessed to the mutual benefit of both the Borough and the staff. Statistical information is given below:
Staff Medical Questionnaires & Medical Examination - 1 Jan. until 31 Dec. 1972
| New Applicants | ||
| Questionnaires received | 1555 | |
| Questionnaires satisfactory | 1202 | |
| Applicants withdrawn or not offered post | 155 | |
| Questionnaires not completed | 46 | |
| Medically examined new applicants | 152 | |
| Total | 1555 | |
| Medical Examinations | ||
| Satisfactory | 215 | |
| Not satisfactory | 22 | |
| Suitable for employment subject to review | 48 | |
| Total | 285 | |
| Extended Service | ||
| Examined and recommended for Extension of Service Total | 13 | 13 |
| Retirement on Medical Grounds | ||
| Examined and recommended for retirement (including three domiciliary visits) | 24 | |
| Total | 24 | |
| TOTAL MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS | 322 | |
| Special Requests | ||
| Recommended as fit to return to work | 19 | |
| Recommended as fit for light duties for limited period | 4 | |
| Recommended as fit for the work in which they are employed | 21 | |
| Recommended as fit for part-time employment | 23 | |
| Recommended as fit for heavy vehicle driver | 5 | |
| Total | 72 | |
| Reviews | ||
| Examined and now satisfactory | 21 | |
| Examined and further review recommended | 28 | |
| Examined and new review recommended | 48 | |
| Examined and recommended to retire | 7 | |
| Total | 104 | |
| Examined at Hammersmith for other Boroughs | 11 | |
| Examined elsewhere for Hammersmith | 2 | |
| Examined at Annesley for Annesley House, Southsea | 8 | |
| Examined at Hammersmith for Annesley House, Southsea | 12 | |
| Total | 33 | |
| Chest X-ray examinations at Hammersmith Hospital | 498 | |
| Chest X-ray examinations at Hammersmith Hospital (repeat) | 33 | |
| Chest X-ray examinations at S.W.L. Mass Radiography Units | 319 | |
| Chest X-ray examinations at other hospitals & mass X-ray Units | 315 | |
| Total | 1165 | |
B39