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2
Communicable Diseases
The position remained very satisfactory as regards the incidence
of infectious diseases. There was an increase in the notifications of
scarlet fever which however is still a mild disease. There were two cases
of paratyphoid fever, both contracted abroad, A case of leptospirosis
(Weil's disease) occurred in a young man. This is caused by an organism
infecting rats, which is excreted in their urine, and in man it usually
occurs in men working in sewers or streams or ditches infested by rats.
The patient had bathed in the Thames which was running at very low volume
at the time and therefore more concentrated.
1969 should have been a measles epidemic year but in fact there
were 10 cases fewer than in 1968. Measles vaccination, which was
commenced in May last year, may be the reason but it will be specially
interesting to see the figures for next year. There appears ample
justification for advocating this preventive measure.
Personal Health Services (National Health Service Act 1946 etc.)
The extension of Manor Drive Clinic to form a health centre was
not started during the year but negotiations on rental with the Executive
Council have taken place, and building should start early in 1970. It is
hoped that a similar extension at &osbury Hill Clinic, Hook, will also
commence in 1970.
The plan to build a health centre to replace Grange Road Clinic
did not materialise due to lack of adequate interest from the family
doctors. It is intended to seek authority to build a replacement clinic
in Hawks Road with space to extend into a health centre later.
Plans to replace South Place Clinic, which is now very much substandard,
by a new health centre, also received a setback when it was
finally decided there was insufficient land available at Surbiton Hospital,
and it is hoped to proceed with a replacement clinic on an adjacent site,
in the Alpha Road area on land adequate for expansion, at the earliest
possible date.
Attachment of Health Visitors and District Nurses and Midwives to Family Doctors
Further attachments of nursing staff have been made on request to
family doctors wherever possible. These have to date been largely
exploratory, and it is hoped that a proper code of operation of these
schemes will materialise after they have been in operation for a further
year or so.