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One example of this is the small medical group which meets
periodically to discuss matters pertaining to old people,
and in which hospital, public health and general practitioner
interests are represented. Other spheres of activity are
those in connection with the Camberwell Samaritans Group,
initiated by the Vicar of Camberwell (the Rev. John
Nicholls), and the project for the care of alcoholics.
The need for a health and welfare services index has
shown itself more and more as these activities increase,
and such an index has been prepared and will be found at
the end of the statistical appendix to this report. This
is an elaboration of a card giving similar details, which
was distributed to general practitioners, hospitals and
voluntary bodies.
In the latter half of the year the Mass X-ray unit
paid one of its periodical visits to Camberwell and set
up in premises in Rye Lane, Peckham. A total of 5,828 persons
were X-rayed (2,253 men and 3,575 women) of whom 148 were
recalled for large films. The opportunity was taken for
members of the Council's staff to be examined and 188 of
them attended the unit for this purpose.
Members of the staff were also offered facilities for
inoculation against poliomyelitis, and sessions were held
in the medical examination room where the Deputy Medical
Officer of Health gave immunising injections to 90 officers.
Members of the staff of the Public Health Department are
regularly vaccinated against smallpox - an important precaution
in view of the increased risks of imported smallpox
in an age of swift air travel.
Recognising the increasing need for additional transport
for public health work, and for the delivery of meals
to old people, the Public Health Committee authorised the
purchase of a light van. This has greatly facilitated the
work of the Department.
The new examination for the Diploma of Public Health
Inspectors' Education Board presented some problems in
relation to the Council's scheme for training student public
health inspectors. The extended syllabus rendered it
necessary to make arrangements with other local authorities,
and bodies other than local authorities, for additional
practical training, which is not available in this Borough;
this includes meat inspection in slaughterhouses, port
health duties, conservancy systems of sewage, domestic