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REPORTS BY THE DIVISIONAL MEDICAL OFFICERS
Division 1, comprising the boroughs of Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith and Kensington.
Dr. B. E. A. Sharpe reports:
Divisional
Medical
Officer
Although this report appears under my name, the division was under the direction
of Dr. Violet I. Russell until her retirement on 20th October, 1956, so that for the most
part I am reporting on her behalf. Dr. Russell had been associated with the local health
services in the division, to the success of which she had made a great contribution,
since its inception in 1948 and with the maternity and child-welfare services in the Royal
Borough of Kensington previously. The Divisional Health Committee placed on
record their high appreciation of her magnificent work.
Vital
statistics
The downward trend in the birth-rate which had been noticeable for some years
halted in 1956, the total births being 10 per cent. more than last year with a 7 per cent.
increase in the number of home confinements.
Welfare of
mothers and
children
As might be expected the higher birth-rate was rehected in an increase m attendances
at the Council's ante-natal sessions, the total being 774 greater than in the previous
year, but surprisingly attendances at the infant-welfare sessions fell by 1,711. The
number of visits paid by the health visitors increased slightly and the service has maintained
its great popularity. Attendances at special sessions arranged at the welfare
centres for health education fell slightly but the lectures, demonstrations and filmshows
were enthusiastically received by the mothers. Health education receives constant
attention and new means of maintaining the interest of mothers are constantly being
tried. As an experiment a monthly discussion group for mothers of toddlers was introduced
at one welfare centre at which the mothers discussed their problems. The group
has proved a great success and it is hoped to establish others.
Day
nurseries
ihe average daily attendances at the day nurseries rose very slightly by just over
3 per cent. in 1956 but there was a further reduction of 19 approved places during the
year. The demand for places for children between two and five years of age has fallen
steadily but the demand for places for babies will exceed the number of places available,
particularly in Hammersmith and Kensington. Necessary redecorations and improvements
were carried out at all the buildings and an electric ironing machine and a potatopeeling
machine were installed as an experiment at the largest nursery.
Childminders
The child-minder service continues to grow. Ihere was a 12 per cent. increase in
the number of child-minders and an 11 per cent, increase in the number of children
minded. The number of voluntary nurseries also rose, from 11 to 14, the number of
children in them increasing from 388 to 410.
Occasional
creches
Two creches opened in 1955, in Kensington and Hammersmith respectively, continued
to give service to mothers wishing to visit hospitals, go shopping, or engage in
other duties. Attendances improved slowly but the demand for these facilities has been
less than was expected.
Welfare foods
The arrangements for the distribution of welfare foods from welfare centres continued
satisfactorily. It was found possible to close the distribution centre at 176 Goldhawk
Road, W.12, towards the end of the year.
Vaccination
and
immunisation
There was a further decrease in the number of children vaccinated against smallpox.
Primary vaccinations fell by 3 per cent., and re-vaccinations were 70 per cent. less than
last year. It is gratifying to be able to report that the number immunised against
diphtheria rose considerably, there being an increase of 10 per cent. in primary immunisations
and 86 per cent. in reinforcing injections.
Poliomyelitis
inoculation
At the beginning of the year the proposal of the Ministry of Health to commence
inoculation against poliomyelitis was made public and the parents of some 41,000
children born between 1947 and 1954 were informed of the scheme. The parents of
just over one-third of the children gave their consent to the inoculation but the supplies
of vaccine received were sufficient only for 1,356 to receive two injections and 368 one
injection. Two-thirds of the children invited attended for the first inoculation and of
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