London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1958

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Medical
examinations

Numbers of staff medically examined for various purposes, with the result of the examination, follow:

1957195819571958
Candidates fit for appointment6,2867,531Eligibility for spouse pensions2624
Candidates unfit for permanent appointment285401Staff casualties240315
Candidates for out-county authorities65100
Referrals (ill-health)7,2686,719
Permanently unfit to carry out their ordinary duties . .245323
Candidates examined for the Council by out-county medical officers of health77138
Advice given (without examination)1,3781,621

Food
handlers

During the year 403 food handlers were referred for investigation because they had been in contact with or had suffered from certain infectious diseases. Bacteriological examination was arranged where appropriate.

19571958
Contacts107137
III270266
Allowed to resume work after examination360388
Resigned9
Excluded from work and referred to own doctor for treatment176

The six cases excluded from duty were found to have the following microorganisms:

ConditionOrganism isolated
Scarlatina contact Diarrhoea contactStrep, pyogenes Shigella sonne
Gastro-enteritis contactShigella flexner
Gastro-enteritis convalescentShigella sonne
Vomiting convalescentShigella flexner
Diarrhoea and vomiting convalescentSalmonella typhimurium

Retirements,
etc.
In September, 1958, Dr. A. Smyth, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H., LL.B., who had
been Deputy Divisional Medical Officer of Division 8 since February, 1955, and had
previous service in Division 2 and with St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council,
resigned her appointment and was succeeded by Dr. J. A. Linden, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.,
D.P.H.
On 31 March, 1958, Miss A. M. Sidebotham retired from the position of Divisional
Nursing Officer of Division 1. Miss Sidebotham joined the Council's service as a
school nurse in 1928. She was called up for duty with the Q.A.I.M.N.S. on 1 September,
1939, and on her return was promoted superintendent school nurse. In 1948 Miss
Sidebotham was appointed divisional nursing officer to Division 1. She has been
succeeded by Miss Joan A. Surr, who was promoted from the rank of assistant
divisional nursing officer.
In April, 1958, Miss Catherine Walsh, Divisional Nursing Officer of Division 3
since its inception in 1948, resigned her appointment. She held various appointments
between 1930 and 1936 in hospitals administered by the Council, followed by health
visitors' posts with Middlesex County Council and with Hammersmith and St.
Marylebone Borough Councils, before being transferred to the Council's service again
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