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
Walthamstow 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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62
Relaxation Classes.
During the past year relaxation classes have been started at
Markhouse Road Welfare Centre on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and at
West Avenue Welfare Centre at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays.
These classes prepare the mother for her confinement and
considerable benefit can be derived from them. Talks are given at
the classes by specially trained Health Visitors and these talks include
preparations for confinement and layette, advice on suitable clothing
and footwear, personal hygiene and explanation of the
mechanism of labour. The classes are held in conjunction with the
Ante-Natal Clinics at the respective Welfare Centres. 83 sessions
were held during the period under review involving a total of 382
attendances.
Toddlers' Clinic.
A toddlers' clinic has been started at West Avenue Welfare
Centre and sessions are held fortnightly on a Friday afternoon.
VIRUS INFECTIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Ministry of Health Enquiry
New registrations have now ceased but the follow up continues.
CONFINEMENTS
The following table shows the location of confinements during 1954:—
| Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital | 1,157 |
| Other Hospitals and Maternity Homes | 398 |
| Total in Hospital, etc | 1,555 |
| At Home | 358 |
| Total Confinements | 1,913 |
The grounds for admission to Thorpe Coombe were:—
(1) First Confinements.
(2) Medical and Obstetrical.
(3) Unsuitable home/social conditions.
| Walthamstow | England & Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Live birth-rate per 1,000 population | 12.3 | 15.2 |
| Still birth-rate per 1,000 total births | 14.0 | 24.0 |
| Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live-births | 22.3 | 25.5 |
Extracts from vital statistics are given more fully in section
"A" of this Report.