View report page

inclusive. One reason for the decline in the number of children recorded as vaccinated
and immunised during the year is the continuing movement of families away from the
division.
The poliomyelitis vaccination programme was extended in the autumn of 1958 to
include all young people born in the years 1933-43. In order to inoculate persons in
this age group, teams have visited many of the larger business premises and further
educational establishments. In addition, regular open sessions where inoculation is
given without need for prior appointment were established at seven centres.
During the year 26,353 persons were inoculated with two injections under the
Council's arrangements and 5,736 inoculations were performed by general medical
practitioners.
Tests for B.C.G. vaccination were made on 2,920 13-year-old children out of a
total of 3,041 (72 per cent. of those eligible) whose parents had agreed to their being
tested: of this number, 2,493 showed a negative reaction and were given vaccination
(2,513 in 1957). 391 reacted positively and 355 of these were X-rayed (364 X-rayed in
1957) of whom only one was found to have an abnormal chest condition. Of the children
given vaccination in 1957, a group of 613 was selected for re-testing in 1958, to which
the parents of 578 agreed, and 530 were actually tested again: 10 were found to need
further vaccination.
Home nursing
equipment
The demand for home nursing equipment continued to grow in 1958. Of 201
requests received, 141 patients were supplied with a total of 157 items of equipment,
including commodes (most in demand), hospital beds, foam rubber mattresses, wheelchairs,
hoists, etc.
Health
education
A campaign highlighting a particular aspect of health education continues to be
launched each month from the divisional office. Visual aids and displays made by staff
are shown at all centres with suitable facilities. Material relating to the topic of the
month is sent to the editor of a local newspaper group who has co-operated by producing
short articles designed to interest and influence the public.
Film strips on health topics were arranged by staff for mothers attending welfare
centres and for school children when requested. Staff also gave talks on appropriate
aspects of health to outside bodies, e.g., home safety to old people's associations.
School health
service
None of the school treatment centres had seriously long waiting lists. Additional
sessions were held to supplement regular vision clinics, and evening dental sessions
were provided as necessary, chiefly for the older children as well as for expectant and
nursing mothers.
Problem
families
The divisional co-ordinating committee under the chairmanship of the deputy
divisional medical officer and with the divisional treatment organiser as secretary, met
on 23 occasions during the year and dealt with the case-work on a total of 57 families.
In addition to the class already provided at Beauchamp Lodge, a second mothercraft
and home-making class for selected mothers at the Queen's Park welfare centre was
started in 1958: the class is run by a voluntary committee in association with the
Paddington Council of Social Service. Both classes are grant aided by the Council
to the extent of £60 a year each.
DIVISION 3, comprising the boroughs of Finsbury, Holborn and Islington.
Dr. W. G. Harding reports:
Diphtheria
On 30 September, 1958, a throat swab from a non-immunised 7-year-old boy
who attended Compton School revealed c. diphtheriae. Positive swabs were also produced
from his brother who attended the same school, a play contact and her younger sister
who attended St. Catherine Laboure school.
127