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
Kensington and Chelsea 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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23
CARE OP MOTHERS AMD YOUNG CHILDREN
Maternity and Child Health
There were 2,686 notified births in 1969, 242 fewer than in 1960, and of these 2,592 or 96.5% were institutional confinements.
| Notified births | % are drop compared with previous year | Crude Birth rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 3737 | 5.0% | 16.91 |
| 1966 | 3454 | 7 • 5% | 15.82 |
| 1967 | 3188 | 7.7% | 14.88 |
| 1968 | 2928 | 8.29% | 13.9 |
| 1969 | 2686 | 8.2% | 12.3 |
The table above shows the steady fall in notified births and crude birth rate observed in the borough since 1965 and reflected in the falling attendances at ante-natal and child health clinics.
| 1969 | 1968 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ante-natal and post-natal clinics: | ||
| Total number of sessions | 495 | 585 |
| Total attendances | 3,280 | 3,382 |
| Number of women attending during year | ||
| Ante-natal | 799 | 1,008 |
| Post-natal | 21 | 29 |
| Child welfare clinics: | ||
| Total number of sessions (infant welfare and toddlers) | 1,349 | 1,359 |
| Total attendances | 22,395 | 25,207 |
| Number of children attending during year | ||
| Bom in current year | 1,826 | 2,046 |
| Born in preceding five years | 3,421 | 3,403 |
| Total attendances at special toddlers clinics | 2,293 | 2,427 |
Total attendances at child health sessions (infant welfare
and toddlers) have fallen by 2812 from the 1968 figures but against
this roust be set the increasing number of children who now attend
clinics held in doctor's surgeries.
Six of the Council's health visitors are now attached to, or
liaise with, five group practices in the borough and it is estimated
that at least 3,400 attendances were made during the year at child
health sessions held jointly by general practitioners and health
visitors.