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
London County Council 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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54
most of this vacant land for the erection of maternity and child welfare and school
treatment centres which can be extended later to form comprehensive health centres.
It was decided to continue the existing policy of providing such facilities as first
instalments of health centres and reserving sites on housing estates, etc., where ultimate
provision might be difficult if such action were not taken.
Finsbury
Health
Centre
At the end of July, the gynaecological clinic administered by the Central Group
Hospital Management Committee at the Finsbury Health Centre was closed. Patients
resident in the area and requiring advice and treatment for gynaecological conditions
were thereafter referred to the out-patient department of appropriate nearby hospitals.
Acquisitions and leases
Opportunities were taken wherever possible to acquire suitable properties and sites for health service purposes or to secure long-term leasehold tenancies. The following acquisitions and leasehold tenancies were completed during the year.
| Division | Property | Interest obtained | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site of 188 Walnicr Road, Kensington | Freehold | Comprehensive health centre site |
| 2 | 37, 38, 39 Bloomfield Terrace Westminster | Leasehold | Day nursery |
| 2 | Sites of 9, 11, 15 and 17 Solent Road, Hampstead | Freehold | Comprehensive health centre site |
| 2 | Sites of 1-4 Heath House, New End Square, Hampstead | Freehold | Maternity and child welfare centre site |
| 9 | 315 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth.. | Leasehold | School treatment centre |
| - | Mottingham Ambulance Station, Woolwich | Freehold | Ambulance station |
| - | 1 New Cross Road, Deptord | Freehold | Ambulance station (extension) |
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Administration
day to day administration of the services was continued by the nine divisional health
committees. In each division, the Divisional Medical Officer is responsible, through his
administrative staff, for the co-ordination of the personal health services in his area.
During the year, members of the committees regularly visited health establishments
in their divisions.
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres
Details of changes in centres during the year will be found in the section on Health
Service Premises, page 52.
Expectant and nursing mothers
First attendances at ante-natal clinics of all women needing ante-natal care were
43 per cent. compared with 41 per cent. in 1952. Attendances at post-natal clinics
continued to decline. Attendances at educational sessions continued to increase mainly