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132
REPORTS BY THE DIVISIONAL MEDICAL OFFICERS
Division 1, comprising the boroughs of Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith and Kensington.
Dr. Violet Russell reports:
Vital
statistics
Apart from the continued fall in the birth-rate there were no significant variations
in the vital statistics.
Welfare of
mothers and
children
There was a general decline in the number of attendances at welfare centres and in
the number of visits paid by health visitors; this corresponded with the reduction in
the number of births. On the other hand, attendances at health-education sessions rose
from 2,167 in 1952 to 2,362 in 1953.
Health
education
To supplement the health education carried on continuously in the welfare centres
and other places by doctors, health visitors and school nursing sisters, preparations were
made at the end of the year to hold, early in 1954, an exhibition of the divisional health
services in co-operation with Borough Councils and the voluntary health organisations.
Minor
ailments
During the year the number of minor ailment sessions at school treatment centres
was reduced so as to release the equivalent of 2\ nursing sisters for other duties. Evidence
provided by an interim survey suggested that this economy was having no adverse
effect on the health of school children; the matter is nevertheless being kept under
close observation, and will be reviewed towards the end of 1954.
Dental
treatment
Anticipating the likelihood of dental staff becoming more readily available, arrangements
were made to increase the number of dental surgeries. Two surgeries were made
available at St. Dunstan's Road centre, Fulham, and additional surgeries were also being
provided at the Hammersmith school treatment centre and the former immunisation
clinic at Westbourne Grove, Kensington.
Day
nurseries
The demand for day nursery accommodation became less acute, and attendances
at the Fulham Babies' Hospital nursery fell so low that it was decided to close it in
November; the displaced children being moved to other nurseries. In contrast to the
decline in demand, the standard of regularity of attendance rose; it averaged 698 a day
in 1953, as against 659 in 1952.
Hurlingham
hostel
The opening of a hostel for men suffering from chronic tuberculosis at Hurlingham
Lodge, Fulham is referred to on page 52. The hostel is administered from the Divisional
Office, but admissions are arranged centrally from County Hall, since the residents come
from any part of the county. The residents were under the care of the Fulham Chest
Clinic and on the list of a local general practitioner.
Home help
service
The home help service showed a further expansion, including the provision from
1st January of a night service for the chronic sick.
Medical and
nursing staff
The policy of making staff inter-changeable for school health and maternity and
child welfare work enabled an increasing number of medical officers, health visitors and
school nursing sisters to gain experience of both branches of the service.
Co-operation
with other
bodies
In the report for 1949 it was pointed out that the successful working of the divisional
health services depended to a considerable extent on co-operation with many other
public and voluntary organisations. It is pleasing to be able to report that this cooperation
is not only being maintained but actually grows stronger year by year.
Division 2, comprising the boroughs of Hampstead, Paddington, St. Marylebone,
St. Pancras and Westminster.
Dr. H. L. Oldershaw reports :
Day nurseries
and childminders
There was a drop in the number of children in the nurseries in the first quarter of the
year, but subsequently the position improved and during the last quarter the occupation
was 86 per cent. compared with 88.2 per cent. in 1952. At some nurseries it was necessary
to admit a number of non-priority cases to ensure that the most economical use was
made of the accommodation. The waiting list of priority cases was only 70 at the end of
1953 compared with 195 at the end of 1952. The number of statutorily and voluntarily
registered child-minders increased during the year from 132 to 186.