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
Harrow 1973
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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49
GENERAL SERVICES
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
An occupational health service offers the benefits of medical advice
to employer and employee alike both before and during the latter's term
of contract.
Most employees are medically assessed before they commence their
employment with the Authority. The primary objectives of this assessment
are to ensure that the candidates are fit to carry out the duties of the post
without either risk to themselves or to others in the same environment;
for example, freedom from any transmissible infection is extremely
important especially in those working in close relationship with children.
At the same time the Authority is protected from either employing people
liable to suffer from an undue amount of sick leave or who would be an
unacceptable risk for the superannuation fund.
The following table gives some indication of the amount of work undertaken in attempting to ensure that both employer and employee are protected:-
| Number of medical forms assessed | 2,130 |
| Number of medical examinations | 39 |
| Number of medical examinations—extensions of service | 7 |
| Number of medical examinations—heavy goods vehicle drivers | 4 |
| Number of medical examinations carried out for other Authorities | 12 |
| Number of medical examinations carried out under Ministry of Education Circular 249/52:- | |
| (a) Teachers first appointment | 77 |
| (b) Training College Entrants | 229 |
Medical Arrangements for Long-Stay Immigrants
Long stay immigrants are often very unfamiliar with our customs and,
in particular, ignorant of the scope and arrangements of the National
Health Service. Accordingly at ports of arrival they are given a hand-out
to encourage them to get on to the list of a medical practitioner near
their place of residence. Destination addresses are also forwarded to the
health department so that they can be visited to try and persuade them to
act on the advice given in the pamphlet. Special emphasis is placed in
trying to secure a chest X-Ray as soon as possible after their arrival in
this country.
This is particularly so for those whose country of origin
has a high incidence of tuberculosis. Details of immigrant families with
children are particularly noted so that a health visitor can call and advise.