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 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Whooping Cough.—238 cases were notified in 1943, but a total of 399 cases coming to their knowledge
were visited by the Health Visitors, 286 of which occurred in children under 5 years of age. There were 3 deaths
from Whooping Cough in 1943. Two of the children who died were under 1 year of age and one was between 1
and 5 years of age.
Measles.—882 cases were notified in 1943, but a total of 1,195 cases were visited by the Health Visitors, 627
of which occurred in children under 5 years of age. There was 1 death from Measles in 1943. The child who died
was under 1 year of age.
Tuberculosis.—The following table shows the number of cases of Tuberculosis on the register at the end
of each year 1938-1943:—
Table No. 3.
Number of Cases of Tuberculosis on Register at end of Year.
| Pulmonary. | Non-Pulmonary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. | |
| 1938 | 361 | 330 | 80 | 92 |
| 1939 | 373 | 305 | 77 | 89 |
| 1940 | 337 | 250 | 61 | 84 |
| 1941 | 325 | 250 | 58 | 58 |
| 1942 | 361 | 278 | 68 | 65 |
| 1943 | 422 | 312 | 72 | 78 |
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS.
Municipal Health Centres.—At the three Municipal Health Centres, expectant mothers attended the
medical consultation and medical treatment Clinics on 18,207 occasions, nursing mothers 28,274, and children under
five 47,410, making a total at these clinics of 93,891 attendances in 1943.
Out of the total number of 2,657 children registered as born alive in 1943, 2,061, or 78 per cent., subsequently
attended the Municipal Health Centres.
The following table shows the total attendances of Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Children under
5 years of age at the Municipal Health Centres since 1938:—
Table No. 4.
| Health Centre Attendances. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total attendances of Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Children under 5 years of age. | Attendances of Expectant Mothers at Ante-Natal Clinics only. | |
| 1938 (3 Health Centres open) | 158,893 | 15,351 |
| 1939 (3 Health Centres open 8 months, 2 Health Centres open 4 months) | 153,810 | 14,305 |
| 1940 (2 Health Centres open) | 127,781 | 15,335 |
| 1941 (2 Health Centres open) | 113,863 | 13,949 |
| 1942 (2 Health Centres open 10½ months, 3 Health Centres open 1½ months) | 138,189 | 19,157 |
| 1943 (3 Health Centres open) | 146,071 | 18,142 |
Princess Road Voluntary Centre.—The Council took over the Princess Road Voluntary Infant Welfare Centre
in Kilburn as from 1st April, 1942. Children under 5 years of age attended the Medical Consultations at this Centre
on 1,069 occasions and nursing mothers on 778 occasions during 1943.
Government Evacuation Scheme—Expectant Mothers.—The registration of expectant mothers for
evacuation during the last month of pregnancy under the Government's Evacuation Scheme was carried out at the
Health Centres in accordance with the Government plan.
MATERNITY HOSPITAL.
Bookings.—1,199 patients were booked during 1943 for confinement in the Willesden Maternity Hospital.
The fees at which these 1,199 cases were booked varied from 56 at £15 to 264 free. The average fee per case was
approximately £4 17s. 5¼d.
During 1943, 557 applicants for confinement in the Willesden Maternity Hospital were unable to be booked
for the reasons set out below:—
Table No. 5.—Applications for Booking Refused.
No beds available 534
Not resident in Willesden 23
557