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 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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The total number of recommendations made in 1968 was 216 (186). Of
this number 166 (139) children went on holiday; there were 29 (30) cancellations
by parents and 21 (17) were awaiting placement at the end of
the year.
School medical officers made 90% (91%) of these recommendations and
the remainder came from general practitioners and other sources.
Vision Clinics
There are three vision clinics in the Borough at Fulham Treatment
Centre, Bagleys Lane, S.W.6., at St. Dunstan's Treatment Centre, W.6. and
at Milson Road Treatment Centre, W.14. The ophthalmologists are officers
of the South Western Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board and, by arrangement
made through the I.L.E.A., undertake a total of 9 sessions a week.
Referrals to the clinic mainly arise from school medical inspections and
an optician is in attendance to deal with prescriptions for glasses at
the parent's discretion.
The following summarises the work carried out at the Clinics during the year:-
| Number of sessions | 364 | (355) |
| Number of new pases | 1,141 | (1,208) |
| Total attendances | 4,301 | (3,995) |
| Errors of refraction and squint | 2,650 | (2,512) |
| Other eye defects | 3 | (1) |
| Spectacles ordered | 825 | (767) |
Weekly orthoptic sessions are also held at the Fulham and St.Dunstan's Treatment Centres and the following work was carried out during the year:-
| Number of sessions | 94 | (91) |
| Number of new cases | 85 | (71) |
| Total attendances | 276 | (239) |
| Minor ailments of schoolchildren are treated at five treatment centres in the Borough, The following is a statement for the year under report:- | ||||
| Sessions: | Medical Officer | 39 | (71) | |
| Nursing Sister | 1,401 | (1,411) | ||
| Total attendances | 26,239 | (27,932) | ||
| Defects treated: | ||||
| Athlete's foot | 647 | (300) | ||
| Verrœae | 1,483 | (1,044) | ||
| Ringworm-body | 8 | (9) | ||
| Impetigo | 52 | (34) | ||
| Other skin diseases | 499 | (409) | ||
| Eye diseases | 287 | (266) | ||
| Ear diseases | 139 | (104) | ||
| Miscellaneous: bruises etc. | 4,015 | (2,934) | ||
Special Investigation Clinics
During 1968, 275 (218) new patients attended the five Special
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