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
Poplar 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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VISITS PAID BY HEALTH VISITORS. The numbers of visits paid by the Health Visitors were
| Borough Council. | Royal College of St. Katharine. | Total. | 1946. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19,759 | 26,886 | 46,645 | 48,040. |
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS.
| 167 premature babies were born during 1947 - 18 at home and 149 in hospital. | 110. |
| 17 of those born at home survived at the end of one | 10. |
| month, and of those born in hospital 9 died during the first | 7. |
| 24 hours and 138 survived at the end of one month. | 87. |
| The arrangements for the care of premature infants, outlined in previous reports, continue to operate. | |
| Equipment loaned during 1947 to mothers of premature infants included: | |
| 4 treasure cots with detachable linings | 4 |
| 4 hot water bottles | 3 |
| 3 weighing scales | 2 |
CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN. Upon the recommendation of
the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee the
Council continued their contribution of £64 per annum to the
scheme formulated by the Standing Joint Committee.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
Visits to mothers and fester children 15 9
Foster mothers under supervision during
1947 2 2
" children " " " " 1 1
EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC SERVICE. During the year this service
was called upon for three cases, the fee of £5. 5s. per case 2
being paid by the Borough Council.
Two of the patients were removed to hospital.
OBSTETRIC CONSULTANT. It was not necessary to call in a
Consultant to any case during the year.
STERILE MATERNITY OUTFITS. One outfit was sold during the 7
year.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT. 25 cases were sent away during the 21
year through the agency of the Invalid Children's Aid
Association, an increase of 4 on last year's number.
The grant to the Invalid Children's Aid Association was
increased to £1.10s. per week for four weeks for each child,
such grant to be extended to six weeks if at the end of four
weeks a medical report is received from the Convalescent Home
stating the child needs at least another two weeks convalescent
treatment.
Several cases referred by Poplar Hospital have been
dealt with on the same terms.
The attention of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing
Joint Committee was drawn to the difficulty of obtaining
convalescent treatment for children under 5 and also for
nursing mothers and their babies. As a result of this a reply
was received from the Minister of Health intimating that the
provision of such convalescence would no doubt be considered
by the Regional Hospital Boards under the National Health
Service Act.