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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
There were 2509 notified births, 73 fewer than in 1970 and of these 2,455 or 97.8
were institutional confinements.
Maternal and Child Health (Clinic Services)
Details of attendance at Health Centre clinics are as follows:
| Ante-natal and post-natal clinics: | ||
| Total number of sessions | 356 | (368) |
| Total attendances | 2,751 | (2,885) |
| Number of women attending during year: | ||
| Ante-natal | 652 | (741) |
| Post-natal | 34 | (21) |
| Child health clinics: | ||
| Total number of sessions (infant welfare and toddlers) | 1,348 | (1,267) |
| Total attendances | 20,254 | (19,633) |
| Number of children attending during year | ||
| Born in current year | 1,744 | (1,748) |
| Born in preceding five years | 2,789 | (3,056) |
| Total attendances at special toddlers clinics | 1,683 | (1,759) |
During 1971, the total number of children under 5 years who attended clinics was
4,533 compared with 4,804 in 1970 a decrease to be expected in view of the steadily falling
birthrate.
Total clinic attendances however increased by 621, so that the average number of
visits made by each child during the year rose from 4.0 in 1970 to 4.4 in 1971, indicating
that some, at least, of the children who attend clinics do so more frequently.
The above figures refer only to children in attendance at the Council's Health
Centres, but there are now many who attend Child Health sessions held in surgery premises
by their own general medical practitioners and the Council's health visitors. During 1972,
411 such sessions were held and 4,802 attendances were made by children under 5 years.
Occasional Creches
The number of weekly occasional creche sessions provided at health centres and at
which children can be cared for while their mothers attend hospitals or clinics or do their
shopping, etc. was increased by two during the year to a total of 36.
The total number of sessions held during the year was 1,731 and total attendances
22,333 compared with 1,440 and 17,880 respectively in 1970.
Handicapped Children and Children 'At Risk'
The Council's Observation and Handicap Register of children with known handicaps
or 'at risk' of developing a handicapping condition is compiled from several sources, and all
cases are reviewed at regular intervals. The total number of children on the register was 621.