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
Southwark 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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The work of the health visitor in these fields is described in the appropriate
sections of this report. The part of the health visiting service which is statistically
measurable is shown in the following table for 1967:
| Children born in 1967 | 6,078 |
| Children born in 1966 | 5,893 |
| Children born in 1965 | 4,433 |
| Total | 16,404 |
| Aged over 65 | 131 |
| Mentally disordered | 153 |
| Persons discharged from hospital (other than mental hospitals) | 28 |
| Infectious diseases | 59 |
| Total of all visits made by health visitors | 88,477 |
PROPHYLAXIS
During the year, the Minister of Health gave formal approval for the provision
of vaccination against measles under Section 26 of the National Health Service Act,
1946. The Council's decision to offer measles vaccination followed Circular 6/66
which mentioned the controlled trials of measles vaccine conducted by the Medical
Research Council; trials in which Southwark have participated.
The introduction of this vaccine means that protection is now offered in welfare
centres against diphtheria, measles, poliomyelitis, smallpox, tetanus and whooping
cough to children below school age. Special sessions are also held in schools where
necessary. In addition, B.C.G. vaccination against tuberculosis is carried out in
schools for children in their 14th year.
The Minister of Health in Circular 3/67 introduced a revised scheme for the
payment of fees to general practitioners for the vaccination of patients on their
lists. Hitherto, payment had been made by local health authorities, but the arrangement
introduced with effect from 1st April 1967 transfers financial responsibility
to the Executive Council. The general practitioner claims fees on the basis of a
form completed in duplicate, one copy of which is forwarded to the local health
authority. To complete the exchange of information, a copy of the form showing
particulars of patients who have been vaccinated and immunised in welfare centres
is sent to the general practitioner concerned.
Until June 1967, all vaccine relating to the above diseases, except smallpox,
were supplied to general practitioners free of charge by the Council. Ministry of
Health Circular 6/67 stated that supplies of smallpox vaccine would no longer be
sent direct by the Public Health Laboratories but that local health authorities would
obtain supplies from the Laboratories and would be responsible for distribution
to general practitioners and hospitals.
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