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The proposed studies, to be carried out under the direction of Dr.W.W. Holland,
Reader in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Social Medicine, will extend
over a period of about three years.
The objects of the studies are as follows:-
(a) To measure the frequency of particular diseases in the population
(b) To assess the medical care being actually received by the patients found
(c) To investigate sociological factors influencing the demand for medical
care with people in similar conditions.
The health department was asked to assist by allowing access to the records
of births and deaths kept by the department, the use of health department premises
for carrying out clinical examinations, the allocation of medical officers to participate
in the clinical examinations and the allocation of nursing staff to make home
visits to persons in the survey.
Two medical officers, one full-time and the other sessional, and three nursing
staff were attached to Dr. Holland’s team. Premises were also made available.
The first survey was carried out in February /March 1967 on the prevalence of
cardior-espiratory disease. Prior to the actual clinical survey, courses were held
for those specialising in the various interviews and tests. A random sample of
the population was selected from an area in the North of the borough covering
Bishops, Princes, Oval, Stockwell, Larkhall and Ferndale Wards.Approximately
5,500 dwellings were visited and the occupants asked for details of name, date of
birth, sex, marital status, occupation, schooling, attendance as an in or out-patient
at any hospital within the previous six months and the presence of major disabilities.This
information was successfully obtained from approximately 92.2% of
all the people living in the defined area and a total of 8,000 persons were enumerate
From this total a random sample of 3,000 was selected from different age, sex and
social class groups. Each received a questionnaire — simple questions on the
presence of respiratory and cardio-vascular symptoms. In those cases where the
questionnaire was not returned a follow-up visit was paid by one of the field
workers.
Following the return of the questionnaire a random sample of some 800 individuals
was selected for examination in the clinical part of the study. Of the 800
selected, 600 answered positively to one or more of the questions in that they
reported symptoms of respiratory or cardio-vascular disease.
The clinical examination was carried out at two centres, the Elizabeth
Bullock School Treatment Centre, 346 Wandsworth Road, S.W.8. and Northcote
House, 37 Royal Street, S.E.1.