London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES
Local welfare centres continued to be busy during the year with a variety of clinic
sessions, and the supervision of expectant mothers, babies and children. Many members of the
public come to the local centre first of all when in need of advice, or because of stress in
the family or neighbourhood. The health visitors are usually available part of the day and
give necessary advice or information freely.
The decentralisation of home visitors to the elderly was completed, and 8 home visitors
are now based at six welfare centres. This is intended to provide a more easily accessible
service in the area for both medical practitioners and for members of the public.
A total of 8 occasional creche sessions are held each week at the centres. These are of
great benefit to mothers and young children.
Blythe Mansions centre, which opened in 1967 as a full-scale centre, is becoming a very
active centre and has filled a long-felt need for services in the area.
There was a reduction in the total number of maternity and child welfare sessions held,
and a consequential reduction in total attendances. The falling birth rate is a contributing
factor in this. On the other hand there was a sharp increase in the number of attendances at
occasional creche sessions.
| Child welfare - Total attendances | 54,549 | (60,064) |
| Toddlers - Total attendances | 4,373 | (5,059) |
| A/N & P/N - Total attendances | 5,327 | (6,838) |
| (excluding GPO sessions) | ||
| Grand Total | 64,249 | (71,961) |
| No. of occasional creche sessions per week | 8 | (8) |
| Total attendances during 1968 | 4,102 | (2,306) |
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Pour day-time clinics were held each week for the collection of cervical smears from well
women for cytological investigation by the Pathologist at the Royal Northern Hospital. All
these were combined with Family Planning clinics. Attendances were by appointment, and the
total number of smears sent for examination increased from 953 in 1967 to 1,107 in 1968.
CYTOLOGICAL STATISTICS TO 31.12.68.
Total number of cases 1, 107
1, 045 Normal
55 Other gynaecological disorders (excluding cancer)
which required treatment. These women were referred
either to their general practitioner or directly
for gynaecological advice and treatment.
5 Doubtful cases referred for repeat examination.
2 Positive - referred to own doctors.
84