View report page

81
At the beginning of the year 28 establishments were licensed and at
the end of the year the number licensed was 28, there being one addition
to the list and one deletion due to retirement from practice.
Laboratory Facilities
The examination of clinical material of public health significance is
carried out free of cost to the patient and doctor by the Central Public
Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London, N.W.10 (Telephone:
COLindale 7041). The routine work of the service is essentially bacteriological,
virological and epidemiological.
Routine specimens fall under two main headings:
(a) "Medical" specimens received from medical practitioners, infectious
diseases hospitals and local authorities. These are specimens of faeces,
throat swabs, blood samples, etc., taken for diagnostic examination from
persons suspected of suffering from infectious disease.
(b) "Sanitary" specimens received from medical officers of health, public
health inspectors, and others concerned officially with the control of public
health. They comprise specimens for bacteriological examination of water,
shell-fish, milk, cream, sewage, etc., processed foods such as ice-cream,
artificial cream and canned foods, imported products such as meat, fish,
coconut and fertiliser.
Epidemiological work includes the investigation of outbreaks of infectious
disease in co-operation with health departments.
The following is a summary of the examination of specimens from the
district carried out during the year:—
Nose and throat swabs 95
Faeces 576
Sputum 10
Others 35
Medical Assessments and Examinations
All candidates for appointment to the Council's service complete a
medical questionnaire from which they are assessed regarding their medical
fitness for the post. In cases where there is any doubt, a full medical examination
is carried out.
Number of medical forms assessed 897
Number of medical examinations 125
Number of medical examinations carried out for other
authorities 19
Number of medical examinations carried out under
Ministry of Education Circular 249/52:
(a) Teachers first appointment 73
(b) Training College Entrants 211