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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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Arrangements have been made for reduced prices at cinemas
other than on Bank Holidays.
Various outings and gatherings are also arranged by the Council's
community Recreation Officer.
Medical Examination of Council's staff
During the year I have continued to carry out the duties of medical
adviser to the council.
Every new entrant to the service is required to undergo a medical
examination, including a chest x-ray. In order to find whether
he or she is fit to be admitted to the Council's superannuation and/
or Sick Pay schemes.
In addition to this, medical examinations are conducted in all
cases where the prescribed "sick leave with pay" has been exceeded.
The council in many such instances makes up sick pay for further
periods to bring employees back to good health.
The total number of first examinations carried out during the year was 315 and of this number 56 were found to be unfit for the following reasons:-
| Otorroea | 5 | Hypertension | 16 |
| Chest condition | 4 | Dermatitis | 3 |
| Duodenal ulcer | 1 | Old tuberculosis | 2 |
| Old osteomyelitis | 1 | Psycho-neurosis | 2 |
| Fractured spine | 1 | Enuresis | 1 |
| Varicose veins | 1 | Glycosuria | 3 |
| Epilepsy | 3 | Chronic Otitis media | 3 |
| Chronic deafness | 2 | Diabetes mellitus | 1 |
| Slipped disc history | 1 | Mitral stenosis | 1 |
| Pleural effusion | 1 | Bilateral hernia | 1 |
| Gastric condition | 1 | Bronchitis | 1 |
| Valvular disease of heart | 1 |
At the beginning of 1953 the council decided to put into operation
a scheme for streamlining sick leave arrangements.
The scheme has continued to work smoothly and satisfactorily and
during the year 30 examinations in this connection were conducted by
the Department's medical staff.
Financial contributions to Voluntary organisations
Subscriptions to the funds of voluntary bodies were, on the
53