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REPORTS BY THE DIVISIONAL MEDICAL OFFICERS
Division 1, comprising the boroughs of Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith and Kensington.
Dr. Violet Russell reports :
Welfare of
mothers and
children
There was again a fall in the estimated number of children and people of all ages
in the division and this resulted in some reduction in the services provided by the Council
for mothers and young children. The number of births, both in hospital and at home,
was lower than last year and consequently there were fewer attendances at ante-natal
and child welfare clinics and some reduction was made in the number of sessions at the
welfare centres.
The welfare session for mentally defective children at Campden Hill welfare centre
continued to provide advice, information and help to the mothers who attended with
their children.
Vaccination
and
immunisation
Visits by health visitors were also fewer, to some extent owing to sickness among
the staff and difficulty in filling vacancies.
With the continued fall in the number of young children in the division there was
a decrease in the number who were vaccinated against smallpox and also in the number
immunised against diphtheria. This was partly due to the suspension of immunisation
sessions during the early summer following an outbreak of poliomyelitis in North
Hammersmith, but it is hoped that all children whose immunisation was deferred will
be dealt with during the winter and early spring. Notwithstanding this reduction
there was a slight improvement in the proportion of children under five years of age
who had been immunised, and of the children of this age in the division about 54 per
cent. have now been protected. In addition to the national campaign held in February
constant efforts were made to bring to the notice of parents the importance of immunisation,
and the ever-present risk of a serious outbreak of diphtheria among unprotected
children.
Spastics
A pilot scheme of research into infantile cerebral palsy, conducted by Dr. Dunham,
a specialist from Charing Cross Hospital, under the auspices of the Medical Research
Council, was extended to this division. The object is to ascertain the earliest possible
signs and symptoms of spasticity in young infants in order to facilitate an early diagnosis.
Arrangements were made for Dr. Dunham to speak to members of the local divisions
of the British Medical Association and also to the health visitors and midwives.
A centre for spastic children was opened by the South West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board at Cheyne Hospital, Chelsea. Children attend for the day for education
and treatment. Arrangements have been made for meals to be provided for the children
and staff by the Cheyne Hospital day nursery.
Neglect and
ill-treatment
of children
Health visitors have again taken a leading part in the close partnership which has
been established among all field workers concerned with the prevention of ill-treatment
and neglect of children and of juvenile delinquency. Cases were kept under constant
review and much effort was directed to helping problem families.
In order to avoid the break-up of families, all available services provided by the
Council and voluntary agencies were fully utilised. Every opportunity has been taken
to foster the close co-operation of all social workers in the field. The health visitors
have been encouraged to develop a close relationship with the local general practitioners
and a series of informal social meetings was arranged so that care committee workers
and head teachers could have an opportunity of becoming more closely acquainted with
health visitors and school nursing sisters and the work which they undertake.
Welfare foods
The arrangements for the distribution of welfare foods continued to operate satisfactorily
with only minor changes in selling times. There has been a slight fall in the
quantities issued during the year.
Health education continued to play an important part in the activities of the welfare
centres and improvements were made in the facilities for display of posters and other
exhibits. Mothercraft classes at some of the larger centres continue to be well attended.
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Health
education