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
Haringey 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]
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Patients attended were referred from the following sources:—
| General Practitioners | 1,467 | 1,437 |
| Hospital | 748 | 762 |
| Chest Physician | 8 | 8 |
| Health and Social Services Departments | 113 | 112 |
| Old People's Welfare | 28 | 26 |
| TOTAL | 2,364 | 2,345 |
The following table shows the work of the nurses: —
| 1970 | 1971 | |
|---|---|---|
| New patients attended | 2,364 | 2,318 |
| Total number of visits made | 104,286 | 109,375 |
| Number of visits of over 1 hour duration | 1,781 | 2,317 |
The need for district nursing service shows a steady and continued increase. In 1968, 2,004 new patients were
treated as against 2,318 in 1971. Total visits paid in 1968 were 84,618 while the total for 1971 was 109,375.
There appears to be a continuing increase in the demand for home nursing service, as hospitals follow the trend for
earlier discharge of patients to the care of general practitioners and the home nurses.
The following gives an indication of the type of treatment provided:—
| Injections | 27,079 | Dressings | 25,445 |
| General Nursing Care | 21,812 | Enemata | 127 |
| Blanket Baths | 13,989 | Scabies | 245 |
| Maternity Complication | 26 |
The Marie Curie Memorial Foundation gave night and day nursing care to twelve patients in the terminal stage of
cancer.
Family Planning
The service provided by the Family Planning Association continued as in previous years, the Council paying the
consultation and advice fees for all cases, and in addition the cost of contraceptive supplies for cases in the
priority medico/social categories. The number of cases paid for during the year were — priority cases 664;
non-priority cases 3,927.
During the year an additional weekly clinic session was established at Stroud Green Clinic, and at the end of the
year 12 weekly and 1 fortnightly sessions were being held in the Borough.
The domiciliary scheme continued as previously, and 300 cases were dealt with during the year.
I am indebted to Dr. E. Christopher for the following report on the work of the domiciliary service since its
inception in 1968: —
Domiciliary Family Planning Service February 1968 - February 1972
Dr. E. Christopher
The domiciliary service was started in order to provide family planning advice for those families who find it difficult to attend clinics.
| Total No. of referrals | 555 | No. being visited — 346 | |
| No. referred in first year | 54 | 4/month | |
| No. referred in second year | 90 | 7/month | |
| No. referred in third year | 177 | 14/month | |
| No. referred in fourth year | 234 | 19/month |