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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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A monthly legal advice service is available, free to pensioners
within certain income limits.
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 321 and of this number 79 were found to be unfit for the following reasons:-
| Hypertension | 27 | Glycosuria | 2 |
| Chronic Otitis Media | 1 | Gastric Ulcer | 1 |
| Otorrhoea | 3 | Albuminuria | 1 |
| Prostatectomy | 1 | T. B. Spine | 1 |
| Epilepsy | 1 | Low I. Q. | 3 |
| Varicose veins | 1 | Arthritis | 2 |
| Chest condition | 3 | Osteomyelitis | 1 |
| Pulmonary tuberculosis | 6 | injury to R,elbow | 1 |
| Duodenal ulcer | 4 | Dermitis | 2 |
| Asthma | 1 | Disc lesion | 2 |
| Psychiatric History | 4 | War wound | 1 |
| Defective heart | 4 | Totally unfit | 2 |
| Hernia | 4 |
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 71 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
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