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maintained at the same level as the previous year, i.e. approximately 79,000, whereas
there was a substantial increase of nearly 12 per cent. in the number of visits made
by health visitors. Attendances by mothers at educational sessions were increased
by over 100 per cent. as compared with 1950. Full use was made of the two family
planning clinics to which 306 women were referred for advice.
The home help service was utilised to assist in 185 home confinement cases.
The help provided covers the confinement period and is of relatively short duration
in contrast to the help provided to the aged and infirm (vide infra) where the help
may be required indefinitely.
Recuperative
holidays
Recuperative holidays were provided for 777 persons, 300 of whom were children.
This service continued to expand and 2,065 households were attended by home
helps during the year. The vast majority of cases assisted were aged and infirm persons
who, under the Council's assessment scheme, were provided with a free service. Over
the year the number of home helps employed increased from the equivalent of 119
whole time staff on 1st January to 138 on 31st December.
Home
Help
Service
Vaccination
and
immunisation
1,967 babies under twelve months of age were successfully vaccinated during the
year, which represents a figure of 41 per cent. when compared with the total live
births occurring in 1951. The comparative figure for last year was 28 per cent.
There was also an increase of some 42 per cent. in the total number of vaccinations in
all age groups as compared with the previous year.
Based on the population figure as at 30/6/50 it is estimated that at the end of
the year 54 per cent. of children 0-4 years and 92 per cent. 5-14 years had been immunised
against diphtheria. 17 cases of diphtheria were confirmed during the year,
and one death occurred in an unimmunised child.
Foot
clinic
The foot clinic at the Finsbury Health Centre continued to provide a service
much in demand and 19,235 attendances were recorded, representing a 12 per cent,
increase over the previous year's figure. Five chiropodists were employed on a full
time basis, in addition to part-time sessional staff.
Housing
The determination of priority to be given on medical grounds to applicants tor
housing accommodation was decided in 3,863 cases. In addition, many requests
from almoners for housing reports have been dealt with to assist hospital doctors in
giving medical recommendations for rehousing.
School
health
service
The position with regard to the supply of spectacles has improved, and was considered
satisfactory at the end of the year. The numbers referred for refraction tended
to increase during the last few months of 1951.
A consultative clinic was inaugurated in the autumn at the Pentonville Treatment
Centre to which enuretic cases were referred. The results proved satisfactory and
confirmed the need for the establishment of a clinic of this type.
The attendances at the two nutrition centres showed an increase above the
corresponding figures for last year, and the waiting list proved the need for extra
sessions which are to be provided.
There was a steady increase in cases (referred chiefly by school doctors for
remedial exercises, sunlight treatment, etc.) at the physiotherapy clinics at the Finsbury
Health Centre and the East Islington Welfare Centre.
Personal hygiene has improved to such an extent that a curtailing of the sessions
at the Islington Bathing Centre was found possible.
Premises
External and internal redecorations and various minor works at establishments
carried out during the year in the division have improved the condition and appearances
generally of public health premises.
A number of infant welfare clinics continue to be held in premises which are
unsuitable for the purpose, and efforts are continuing to provide better alternative
accommodation.
Health
education
A programme of health publicity was continued in the division, by which the
same topics were concentrated upon at each centre. The various establishments
exhibited posters and distributed leaflets according to this programme, the topic