View report page

REPORTS BY THE DIVISIONAL MEDICAL OFFICERS
(A statistical summary of work done in the divisions will be found at the end of this section.)
DIVISION 1, comprising the boroughs of Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith and
Kensington
Dr. Bertha E. A. Sharpe reports:
Prophylaxis—The occurrence in London and elsewhere of a number of cases of smallpox
led to a greatly increased demand from the public for vaccination, despite the Ministry
of Health's statement that there was no necessity for mass vaccination in London. The
regular evening and Saturday morning sessions, where prophylaxis of all kinds is available,
were extended by increasing the numbers of doctors and other staff on duty and lengthening
the sessions. Additional evening sessions were also arranged. As far as possible attendance
was restricted to adults and school children; mothers with children under five years of
age were encouraged to attend their usual welfare centres where additional staff and
sessions were provided. Large quantities of vaccine were provided for general practitioners.
During the March quarter 24,750 vaccinations were performed at the Council's centres
and 21,000 by general practitioners in the division.
In July an intensive campaign was launched to provide school children in the division
with a reinforcing fourth dose of poliomyelitis vaccine, as advised by the Ministry of
Health and 2,500 children between the ages of five and 14 years were given this additional
protection. Oral (Sabin) vaccine was introduced and proved to be very popular.
During 1961 courses of active tetanus immunisation were made available for persons
who had received an emergency dose of anti-toxin in hospital and in nine months 80 such
courses were given. In 1962 the number of persons who availed themselves of this form of
protection rose to 363.
Maternity and child welfare—To reduce the time spent by clinics in trying to book
maternity beds for women needing hospital confinement on medical or social grounds, a
divisional bed bureau was established. This has produced highly satisfactory results.
Of 917 cases referred to the bureau in the last six months of 1962, a hospital bed was found
for 841 (92 per cent.). The 76 for whom no booking could be arranged, and who perforce
had to be referred for admission under the Emergency Bed Service procedure, were all
social cases, mostly attending clinic for the first time at a late stage of pregnancy. Beds
were found for all cases referred to the bureau on medical grounds.
Towards the end of the year facilities were offered to general practitioner obstetricians
to attend midwives sessions at the Council's welfare centres to see their own booked
maternity patients and, by agreement, those of other practitioners. The scheme will start
early in 1963, with 25 general practitioner obstetricians participating at seven welfare
centres.
In October a weekly evening paediatric session was established at Lancaster Road
welfare centre at the instigation of the Notting Hill Council of Social Service. This was an
experiment for six months, in the first instance, to meet the needs of any working mothers
who were unable to bring their children to the normal daytime infant welfare sessions.
The medical officer, Dr. Gans, gives his services and the Council provides accommodation
and other staff.
Health education—This forms a regular part of the activities at welfare and school
treatment centres and of health visitors seeing mothers and children in their homes. A
wide variety of topics is covered but during 1962 special emphasis was placed on directing
public attention to the hazard of lung cancer from smoking and to the fire risks associated
103