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
Islington 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Medical treatment of Schoolchildren
The number of sessions, new cases and total attendances at schoolchildren's clinics during 1966 (including sessions held in hospital premises) were as follows:-
| Type of Clinic | No. of Sessions | New Cases | Attendances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Ailments (doctors) | 65 (134)* | 258 (1,889) ) | 6,958 (12,018) |
| Minor Ailments (nurses) | 301 (303) | 975 (1,576) ) | |
| Special Investigation | 270 (277) | 351 (326) | 1,972 (1,849) |
| Dental | 2,272(2,298) | 7,006 (5,673) | 19,426 (18,452) |
| Vision | 361 (662) | 1,653 (2,745) | 6,541 (10,542) |
| Orthoptic | 49 (144) | 13 (76) | 195 (653) |
| Audiology | 42 (16) | 401 (65) | 596 (93) |
* figures in brackets refer to 1965.
At the end of the Spring Term 1966, the London Borough of Camden withdrew the
social worker from the E.N.T. Clinic at Whittington Hospital which catered also for
Islington children. After this no special arrangements were made for Islington
children who appeared to need E.N.T. treatment and school medical officers were asked
to refer such children to their general practitioners.
At Bathing Centres, the number of attendances for treatment of scabies was 93
(115) and vermin and nits 152 (174).
S. KING, Principal School Medical Officer.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER and
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL DENTAL OFFICER
In the 1965 report I detailed several proposals which resulted from a survey of
the dental clinics and which in the main related to equipment.
Accordingly and resulting from many discussions with other Chief Dental Officers,
all with like problems, several items of equipment were agreed upon, the most
favourable outcome being the ordering on very good terms of Kavo Panavision operating
lamps for every dental clinic surgery in the Borough. Two new X-ray machines were
ordered, one a replacement for the old one at Thornhill Road, and one which had long
ago been promised for Manor Gardens. Air rotors were also ordered for these clinics.
Sundry small but necessary items were also ordered in replacement.
The main problem besetting the department remained the same as in the preceding
year, namely that of retaining staff, and the future prospect is not too happy because
of impending reduction in the number of sessions by two of the dental surgeons on the
staff. This is a problem which we hope will be solved by fresh recruitment when the
vacancies occur.
The dental surgery assistant situation has been subject to the same problem,
however, despite this the number of appointments given to new cases rose from 13,187
in 1965 to 14,209 for 1966 and the number of attendances made by new cases was 7,006
compared with 5,673 in 1965, total attendances being up to 19,426 against 18,452 in
1965
One of the most encouraging events of the year was the Health Week in May, the
theme of which was Dental Health under the aegis of the Health Education Officer. It
was presented in the form of a Carnival Float and was most successful.
The other feature which stood out in the year was the visit of Pierre the Clown.
His activities which are a very great help in encouraging a less fearful attitude
towards dental treatment are dealt with in that part of the Medical Officer of Health's
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