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
Greenwich 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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114
At the end of 1968, the Register numbered 165 children, of whom
151 were over the age of 5 years and 14 were pre-school children.
There were additions of 8 pre-school children and 10 schoolchildren
to the Register and a number were removed on leaving
school. A selected few deaf school-leavers were introduced to
social workers (Welfare Services) if they were thought to be in
need of assistance and support in obtaining and keeping employment
and managing their lives successfully.
Deaf Register— 31st December, 1968
| Under 5 yrs. | Over 5 yrs. | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Children on register | 14 | 151 | 165 |
| No. of Children with hearing aids | 11 | 59 | 70 |
| No. of Children attending Deaf Schools or Partially Hearing Units | - | 37 | 37 |
| No. of Children attending other Special Schools | - | 13 | 13 |
| Deletions from Register during 1968 (including 9 removals from Greenwich, 7 discharged as normal, and 5 left school). | 21 |
Home Nursing
The overall number of visits made by District Nurses during 1968
increased by 17,772 and the number of new cases by 501.
Increased visiting was due partly to the higher number of new
cases and partly to the increasing number of terminal cases needing
three and four visits daily and heavy cases needing two nurses.
Increase in New Cases
Considering that the general trend over the past few years has
been towards a slight decrease in the number of new cases, the
current increase of 501 new cases needs careful analysis.
Some 466 more new cases were referred by General Practitioners,
118 more new cases by Hospitals and 2 more new cases
were referred by Geriatric Visitors, while there were 10 less referrals
from Clinics and 75 less direct referrals to the District Nurses
One of the main reasons for the increase was due to better communications
and co-operation resulting from the District Nursing
Staff working with the General Practitioners on a group practice
basis.
Seven more liaison schemes were started during 1968, making
eight altogether, and the District Nursing Staff involved prefer
this method of working for this enables them to use the skills for
which they have been trained. They are able to give a better