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
Lambeth 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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During the year the first three attachments of health visitors to group
medical practices were established. Discussions were taking place by the end of
the year to extend this pattern of work to three other groups. The chief problem
encountered is the overlapping of general practitioners' areas and the fact that a
practice can have patients in as many as seven local authorities areas. Even within
the Borough boundaries, a practice can have patients living in the areas of twelve
Child Health Centres. There was at the end of the year a total of fourteen centres.
The long awaited Streatham Common Child Health Centre was officially
opened by the Mayor on May 28th; all the services previously provided at
Riggindale Centre were transferred to the new premises, as were all the staff. It
has been possible to expand group health education and to treat school children
for minor ailments. By the end of the year the increase in attendances at the new
centre provided evidence of the advantages of having more satisfactory accommodation;
the centre also provides accommodation for the home help service.
| Children born in 1970 | 5,530 |
| Children born in 1969 | 6,624 |
| Children born in 1965-68 | 15,528 |
| 27,682 | |
| Persons aged 65 and over | 558 * |
| Mentally disordered persons | 350 ø |
| Persons, excluding Maternity cases discharged from hospital (other than Mental Hospitals) | 59 + |
| Number of Tuberculous households visited | 31 |
| Number of households visited on account of other infectious diseases | 74 |
| Other Cases | 5,408 |
| Number of Tuberculous Households visited by Tuberculosis Visitors | 394 |
| Total number of effective visits and re-visits | 86,491 |
| Total number of unsuccessful visits | 18,164 |
* Included in this figure are 116 persons who were visited at the special request of
the general practitioner or hospital.
ø Included in this figure are 22 persons who were visited at the special request of
the general practitioner or hospital.
+ Included in this figure are 21 persons who were visited at the special request of
the general practitioner or hospital.