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 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Care
During the year 512 mothers attended our clinics for ante-natal care
and 14 for post-natal examination. A total of 413 clinic sessions were held
by domiciliary midwives and 75 by medical officers. The review of ante-natal
clinic attendances commenced in 1967 continued during the year and sessions
at which a doctor was present were discontinued at a number of clinics where
attendances did not warrant them being held. The domiciliary midwives assumed
responsibility for routine ante-natal care at clinic sessions, calling on the
medical officer or general practitioner obstetrician when necessary.
This arrangement enabled a further increase to be made in the time spent
by medical staff in screening women for cancer (cervical cytology) and in
screening infants and young children for the early detection of deviations
from normal development.
Centres offering ante-natal care are as follows:-
| Centre | Frequency of Session | When held |
|---|---|---|
| Annie Prendergast Clinic, Ashton Gardens, Chadwell Heath. | weekly | Tuesday p.m. |
| The Clinic Becontree Avenue, Dagenham. | weekly | Tuesday p.m. |
| Central Clinic, Vicarage Drive, Barking. | weekly | Wednesday p.m. |
| The Clinic, Ford Road, Dagenham. | weekly | Wednesday p.m. |
| Julia Engwell Clinic, Woodward Road, Dagenham. | weekly | Monday p.m. |
| Marks Gate Clinic, Lawn Farm Grove, Chadwell Heath. The Clinic Oxlow Lane, Dagenham. | weekly weekly | Thursday p.m. Thursday a.m. |
| The Clinic, Porters Avenue, Dagenham. | Fortnightly | Wednesday a.m. |
| Thames View Clinic Bastable Avenue, Barking | Fortnightly | Monday p.m. |