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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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| Year | Post-natal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinics at end of year | Sessions per month | Attendances | ||||
| First | Total | |||||
| 1950 | 6 | 31 | 2,534 | 3,400 | 3,335 | 3,920 |
| 1951 | 6 | 17 | 1,669 | 3,993 | 2,218 | 4,642 |
| 1952 | 5 | 11 | 530 | 3,888 | 1,031 | 4,479 |
| 1953 | 5 | 10 | 486 | 3,228 | 910 | 4,311 |
| 1954 | 4 | 9 | 612 | 3,717 | 912 | 4,629 |
| 1955 | 3 | 8 | 415 | 3,635 | 520 | 4,373 |
| 1950 | 41 | 1,436 | 138 | 22,681 | ||
| 1951 | 33 | 1,303 | 196 | 30,414 | ||
| 1952 | 22 | 1,119 | 216 | 33,596 | ||
| 1953 | 24 | 1,388 | 243 | 34,977 | ||
| 1954 | 25 | 1,596 | 328 | 45,322 | ||
| 1955 | 24 | 1,237 | 354 | 46,018 | ||
Tests
All expectant mothers attending the ante-natal centres are given blood tests. Blood
specimens are examined for Wasserman and Kalin reactions. Haemoglobin level is
estimated at the first visit and follow-up tests are arranged for any mother with a low
haemoglobin level.
Rhesus factor testing and blood grouping are also done early in pregnancy and
every mother is provided with a card showing the results of her blood tests.
Tests for antibodies are made about 32nd-34th week for all mothers who are
Rh negative. Arrangements are made in several divisions for cord blood tests to be
taken by midwives.
These tests are done either by the Blood Transfusion Service or by hospital laboratories
in the area.
Pregnancy
diagnosis
etc.
These blood tests, carried out at Shrodells Hospital, Watford, are also arranged at
ante-natal centres at the request of general practitioners for their patients who attend
doctors' surgeries for ante-natal care.
Chest
X-rays
X-ray examination of the chest is offered to all expectant mothers attending the
ante-natal centres, and there has been a high acceptance rate.
Mothercraft
training
68