London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Islington 1965

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]

This page requires JavaScript

Prevention of Illness, Care and After-Care - Section 28, National Health Service
Act, 1946
Tuberculosis
Reference is made to the services provided under Section 28 of the National Health
Service Act, 1946, on pages 16 - 19.
Chiropody Services
During 1965 the chiropody services in the Borough continued to be provided both
directly by the Council, mainly at foot clinics (though some domiciliary treatments
were arranged) and by the Old People's Voluntary Welfare Associations, grant-aided
by the Council (clinics and domiciliary).
Towards the end of the year consideration was being given to the possibility
of co-ordinating the services to bring them all within the direct administration of
the Council. The Council's staff included a chief chiropodist, responsible for the
organisation of the service, four full-time senior chiropodists and thirteen parttime
sessional chiropodists. The main foot clinic #as at the Finsbury Health Centre
where there were both day-time and evening sessions. Sessions were also held weekly
at four maternity and child welfare centres, and approximately one session a week was
devoted to treating residents at the Council's hostel for tuberculous men and at a
Church Army rest home.
Great improvements were made in the oomfort of the elderly by the use of the
Public Health ambulance vehicle which enabled some patients to be treated who would
otherwise have found it impossible to attend. It was possible to arrange for an
additional transport session during the year, bringing the total to three a month.

Statistical Summary 1965

Total number of sessions4,039
Total appointments booked29,992
Total attendances28,205
Analysis of Attendances
Children 5-14 years1,427
Adults Male4.661
Female22,117

Venereal Disease
The Borough took over the social worker attached to the special clinic in
Holloway Prison for women suffering from venereal disease. Because of their previous
associations, many of them touching on the underworld of vice and crime, much
difficulty was experienced in tracing their contacts. Despite strenuous efforts
and the studious avoidance of any officialdom, only 52 contacts could be traced
out of a possible 146. In 94 cases the information was refused or insufficient
details were given.
For patients leaving the prison before treatment could be completed or, in
some short remand cases before it could be started, arrangements were made for their
transfer to other clinics. Of 107 so transferred 56 were known to have made at least
one attendance.
The social worker comments:-
"The more I think about it the more I realise that the brief encounters between
promiscuous people represent risks which are not realised by an uninformed public ...
Anything which will open the eyes of the public to the dangers of promiscuity is to be
encouraged."
66