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
Bromley 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
These services are provided under part III of the
National Health Service Act of 1946
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
Audrey Jones, M.B., Ch.B., Principal Medical Officer.
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
CHILD HEALTH CLINICS
The total number of premises used is still 35, of which 6 are purpose built, 5 adapted
and the remainder hired and occupied on a sessional basis. There were an average of 40 doctor
sessions per week. Local Authority Medical Officers are becoming increasingly orientated
towards the developmental assessment of children. Physical, intellectual, emotional and
social growth are all necessary for a child to reach his best potential. Risk and observation
registers are kept to follow up those who are at risk of developing a handicap, bacause of an
adverse genetic or perinatal history or later factors influencing progress, so that the most
appropriate help can be instigated if it is required. There is close liaison here with the
Maternity and Paediatric Departments of the local hospitals. All babies have a test by the
midwife about 8-10 days after birth to detect the presence of phenylketonuria which if untreated
may lead to mental subnormality.
The number of sessions held at these clinics totalled 2,386, an average of approximately
47 per week. The number of children who attended the clinics was 5,385 and the total number of
attendances 70,952. These figures represent increases compared with the previous year of
281 and 258 respectively.
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Primary courses completed:
| Year of Birth | Others | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 1971 | 1970 | 1969 | 1965-68 | under 16 | Total | |
| Measles | 157 | 1411 | 1030 | 237 | 187 | 8 | 3,030 |
| Diphtheria | 142 | 2278 | 978 | 98 | 68 | 9 | 3,573 |
| Whooping Cough | 142 | 2205 | 928 | 89 | 34 | 7 | 3,405 |
| Tetanus | 142 | 2279 | 978 | 99 | 72 | 75 | 3,648 |
| Poliomyelitis | 82 | 2301 | 886 | 80 | 129 | 7 | 3,485 |
| Reinforcing doses: | |||||||
| Year of Birth | Others | ||||||
| 1972 | 1971 | 1970 | 1969 | 1965-68 | under 16 | Total | |
| Diphtheria | 1 | 150 | 266 | 66 | 3140 | 148 | 3,771 |
| Whooping Cough | - | 127 | 208 | 35 | 791 | 29 | 1,190 |
| Tetanus | 1 | 152 | 268 | 71 | 3153 | 324 | 3,969 |
| Poliomyelitis | 3 | 78 | 126 | 51 | 2853 | 217 | 3,328 |
Comparative Statistics:
Percentage of children born in 1970 and vaccinated by 31.12.72.
Whooping Cough Diphtheria Poliomyelitis
England and Wales 79 81 80
Bromley 84 87 86
Rubella and B.C.G. were offered routinely, as is mentioned in the Annual Report of the School
Health Service. The number of girls vaccinated against Rubella, between their 11th and 14th
birthday was 1,792.
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