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
Barking 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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Midwifery Service
There were no notable changes in the midwifery service in 1966, and the
service continued to settle down after the upheaval of the year previously. It
was very pleasing to note that during the year all our pupil midwives were
successful in their examinations, which speaks well of the training they receive.
In 1966 the trend for responsibility for patients' ante-natal care to be
centred on the general practitioner/domiciliary midwife team in home confinement
cases continued, and midwives increasingly held their own ante-natal sessions
thus relieving hard-pressed medical officers.
During the year, midwives attended 644 domiciliary confinements of which
581 had also booked their family doctor or G.P. obstetrician. In addition, 1,220
cases of early discharge from hospital received nursing care from the domiciliary
midwives.
Care of the Unmarried Mother
The Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association, acting on behalf of the
Council, arranged for the comprehensive care and confinement of 36 cases.
Infant Welfare Centres
During the year, 7,088 children attended the following centres:-
| Centre | Frequency of Sessions | When Held |
|---|---|---|
| Annie Prendergast Clinic, Ashton Gardens, Chadwell Heath. | Weekly. | Wednesday and Thursday p.m. |
| The Clinic, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Monday p.m. Wednesday a.m. |
| Central Clinic, Vicarage Drive, Barking. | Weekly. | Tuesday and Thursday p.m. |
| The Clinic, Ford Road, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Tuesday a.m. Thursday p.m. |
| Greatfields Clinic, Movers Lane, Barking. | Weekly. | Tuesday p.m. |
| Julia Engwell Clinic, Woodward Road, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Tuesday and Friday p.m. |
| Leys Clinic, Ballards Road, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Tuesday p.m.Thursday a.m. |
| Marks Gate Clinic, Lawn Farm Grove, Marks Gate. | Weekly. | Monday p.m. |
| The Clinic, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Wednesday and Friday p.m. |
| The Clinic, Porters Avenue, Dagenham. | Weekly. | Monday and Friday p.m. |