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19
MINISTRY OF FOOD — WELFARE FOODS
National dried milk, orange juice, cod liver oil and vitamin 'A' and 'D' tablets are distributed from
centres and clinics in the Borough.
The only alterations during 1958 were the transfer of the three sessions from Neasden Methodist
Church Hall to St. Catherine's Church Hall Clinic, and the reduction of the sessions at the Memorial Hall,
Acton Lane, from 6 to 5 because of a drop in sales.
HOME NURSING
The Area Health Office is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Home Nursing Service
in Willesden.
The Nurses are non-resident and receive many applications from hospitals and general practitioners
by telephone in their own homes.
The Middlesex County Council District Nurse Training Home at 17-19 Park Avenue, Willesden, was
closed on 31st August, 1958.
Home Nurses give injections and other treatments to patients who include children under 5 years of
age and the aged and infirm (Table 61).
During 1958, they treated patients with ulcers of legs in their own homes, under the supervision of
general practitioners and the physician-in-charge of this department at the Central Middlesex Hospital.
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
Vaccinations are done by the staff at the health clinics, but most of them are carried out by general
practitioners. The number of children under one year of age vaccinated, represents 30.3% of the total live
births for the year (Table 63).
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION
All children under one year old are offered protection against diphtheria, and private doctors and
assistant medical officers of health immunise them; the material for immunisation is supplied free of charge
by the Medical Research Council.
Children usually receive reinforcing doses just before they start school. Table 64 shows the total
number of children who have received protection against diphtheria during the last 15 years (1944-1958).
The estimated percentage of children who have received an injection during their school life is 75.8.
INOCULATION AGAINST POLIOMYELITIS
The registration and inoculation of children against poliomyelitis continued throughout the year.
In September the scheme was extended to include young people in the 15-25 age groups, and for
those who had already had two injections to receive a third. Wide publicity was given to this. The local
press carried many advertisements ; the Mayor, and Ratepayers' and other organisations received a letter from
the County Council; leaflets, posters and record cards were distributed to Clinics, Public Libraries and other
establishments.
In November, factories were urged to encourage young persons in their employ to be vaccinated
and an offer was made to hold sessions in the factories. 71 out of 89 factories agreed to sessions being held
by the end of the year; 166 employees in four factories received two injections and 647 employees in 20
factories received one injection. In addition, talks on the subject were given in 36 factories.
4,539 persons received third doses in the expectant mother and 1943-58 groups.
Table 65 shows the number of persons vaccinated since the commencement of the scheme in May
1956 to the 31st December, 1958.
HOME HELP
(Tables 66 and 67)
There were slightly fewer new cases referred in 1958, but the number of cases receiving help at the
end of the year remained almost the same, as did the number of helpers employed.
90 bookings were taken for maternity cases ; 63 were provided with help, and the remainder made
other arrangements.
The rate of pay for home helps increased from 3s. 2½d. to 3s. 5d. per hour, but the maximum charge
remained at 4s. Od.
The training scheme continued, and six courses have now been held. 4,225 home visits were made
by the organisers during the year.