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
Romford 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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Brentwood Chest Clinic
Dr. E. Woolf, Consultant Chest Physician reports as follows:-"I herewith submit a report on the activities of the Chest Clinic for the past year. From the Harold Hill area the stastistical analysis is as follows:—
| Respiratory | Non-respiratory | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | C. | M. | F. | C. | |
| Cases on Register—1.1.62 | 217 | 56 | 21 | 23 | 10 | |
| Transferred in (notified cases) | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transferred out (notified cases) | 8 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| New notifications | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Recovered | 13 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Died | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total removed from register Cases on register—31.12.62 | 25 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 206 | 220 | 38 | 16 | 25 | 9 | |
Number of contacts examined during the year was 593, and
there was a total of 3,278 attendances from the Harold Hill area,
of which 412 were seen for the first time.
It will be noted that the number of tuberculous cases is still
decreasing, albeit rather slowly, but we still have a large number of
non-tuberculous cases being referred to the clinic.
Domiciliary Occupational Therapy
This service is provided for persons living at home who suffer
from Tuberculosis and other chronic lung conditions. Patients are
recommended for this service by Chest Physicians and Tuberculosa
Health Visitors. At present one full-time Therapist, Miss Z. Mercer
undertakes this work in this and neighbouring boroughs, and, in
view of the fact that only one person is employed in this field, there
are limitations to what can be done. The Therapist makes an initial
visit to advise the patient of the service and to agree on some form
of therapy. Equipment necessary to carry out the chosen occupation
is loaned free of charge while the materials are paid for by the
patient.
Hand-made articles are sold to the public, and sales of work
are organised by the local Tuberculosis Care Association for this
purpose.
Amongst the occupations undertaken by patients during the
year were printing, bookbinding, leather work, basketry, needle
work, puppets, and rug making. Two patients have worked
rehabilitation courses with good results.
Occupational Therapy encourages new interests and stimulates
patients during their convalescence.
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