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 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES
These centres have continued to be a focal point for the citizens of Islington during the past year. All the
usual functions such as child health, toddlers and ante and post-natal clinics have continued.
The demand for creche facilities continues and all sessions are well attended. A total of nine sessions are
held each week.
Many educational sessions have been held in the centres for a variety of groups of all ages and some
increase in these has taken place.
There is no doubt that the attendance figures at Council child health clinics are affected by the increased number of such clinics held at general practitioners' surgeries at which health visitors are in attendance, and where 1,566 children were seen during 1970, and attendances totalled 4,639.
| Attendances 1969 | |
|---|---|
| Child Health | 45,063 (50,557) |
| Toddlers' | 3,239 (3,079) |
| Ante & Post Natal | 3,023 (4,864) |
| (excluding G.P.O. sessions) Total | 51,325 58,500) |
| Occasional Creche: sessions per week attendances | 9 (9) |
| 4,258 (5,293) |
DAY CARE OF CHILDREN
DAY NURSERIES - COUNCIL
A new nursery to accommodate 56 children was opened officially by the Mayor in May, thus bringing
the number of Council Day Nurseries to six, providing 355 places for children under five years. Another
nursery is under construction and is due to open early in 1971, providing an additional 56 places.
Twenty-four students were in training during the year. Eight students sat the N.N.E.B. examination and
all were successful.
Careers Officers extended invitations to one of the Nursing Officers to give talks to school leavers on
nursery training. Other invitations were extended by head teachers for the same purpose. These visits to
schools continue to be of great value in recruiting students.
A research project on the effects of day care on young children and their parents was started in one
nursery by the Tavistcok Centre. Social workers visited the nursery to observe the children at play and to
talk to parents who were asked to participate in the project. Anonymity was preserved.
Day nursery waiting lists remained consistently long and only children in the highest priority groups were
admitted.
STATITICS
| Average daily attendance during the year | 298 |
| Average rate of occupation | 89% |
| Waiting list at the end of the year: Priority | 145 |
| Others | 391 |
| Total | 536 |