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
Willesden 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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New Health Centre (5).
The estimated total attendances at new Health Centre (5) are 43,358. This figure has been
arrived at on the same basis as for clinics generally. In this case, however, the Maternity and Child
Welfare attendances are already 65 per cent. and 59 per cent. from the Braintcroft and WykehamNeasden
areas, respectively. An attendance of 66 per cent. from these areas with a clinic in their
midst will occur as soon as the Health Centre is opened.
Mora Road area, however, already gives at existing Health Centre (2) an attendance of
55 per cent. and it is doubtful if the inhabitants from this area will attend Health Centre (5) in
greater numbers. Nevertheless taking all these factors into consideration the general rise to 66 per
cent. is probably near the mark.
The 43,358 attendances at Health Centre (5) has been analysed in the same way as for new
Health Centre 2. 30,633 will require the attention of the full-time medical staff, and 12,725 the attention
of other staff. The time required therefore for the clinic work to be done by full-time medical officers
is shown in the following table:—
Cleansing, throat, nose and ear conditions and minor ailments 278 hours.
Expectant mothers 465 „
Nursing mothers 391 ,,
Infant welfare 611 ,,
Post-natal examinations of mothers 60 ,,
Medical inspection of toddlers 1-5 years 158 ,,
Diphtheria Immunisation 28 „
1,991
The number of full-time doctors required would be 1,991/13523= 1-47.
Health Centre (5) requires to be planned-built on a two-doctor basis.
Dental Work.
In Willesden at the present time four Dentists are employed to deal with 18,995 elementary
school children including nursery classes and some 2,600 secondary school children and mothers and
children under 5 years. The percentage of acceptances for treatment amongst the elementary school
children is 37 per cent. and the percentage of acceptances for treatment amongst secondary school
children is 34 per cent. The low percentage of acceptances amongst school children is very unsatisfactory
and should at least be doubled. When the percentage of routine acceptances is doubled one
Dentist will be required for every three thousand school children. In addition the Dentists of the
Authority will be engaged in work in connection with mothers and children under five including the
provision of dentures and orthodontic work.
Having regard to these factors the following table shows the number of Dentists required at each of the proposed five Centres:—
| Health Centre. | School Roll. | M. & C. W. cases under visitation by Health Visitors at end of 1937. | Number of Dentists required. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary. | Secondary. | Total. | |||
| 1 | 2,790 | 1,314 | 4,104 | 2,688 | 2 |
| 2 | 4,125 | 488 | 4,613 | 3,137 | 2 |
| 3 | 6,035 | 811 | 6,846 | 4,098 | 3 |
| 4 | 2,891 | 0 | 2,891 | 2,148 | 1 with provision for 2. |
| 5 | 3,154 | 0 | 3,154 | 2,137 | 1 with provision for 2. |
| Totals | 18,995 | 2,613 | 21,608 | 14,208 | |
Note.—The raising of the school age to 15 years in September, 1939, is not taken into account in the
above figures of scholars.
M. & C.W. and S.M.S. allocations for new Health Centre (2).
The Ministry of Health in their letter dated 20th October, 1938, have asked for the proposed
allocation of the work of the centre as between Maternity and Child Welfare and School Medical Service.
In previous reports to the Council this allocation has been 2/3rds Maternity and Child Welfare
and l/3rd School Medical Service.