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
Richmond upon Thames 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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Exemptions from payment of charges
Persons in receipt of a National Assistance Board grant.
Persons whose total weekly income from all sources does not exceed £6 single and
£10 married.
The Chairman of the Health Committee is authorised to waive or reduce charges
in special circumstances.
CONVALESCENT AND RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
During 1965 arrangements were made for 88 persons to be admitted to recuperative holiday homes. The following table shows the number of referrals and their source of origin.
| Family Doctor referrals. | Hospital referrals. | |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 years of age | 4 | — |
| Mothers accompanied by children — Mothers | 1 | — |
| Children | 3 | — |
| Adults | 17 | 21 |
| Elderly Persons | 26 | 16 |
Subsequently, arrangements for 1 child, 7 adults, and 8 elderly persons were
cancelled.
The cases were placed in a variety of homes.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health education is recognised to be a very important part of the work of the
Health Department. In furtherance of the need to provide information and influence
people towards good health, a Health Education Sub-Committee, comprising senior
officers of the department under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Medical Officer of
Health, has been set up to consider all aspects of health education in the Borough.
Poster campaigns on different aspects of the prevention of ill health are held each
month and these are supported, wherever possible, by display cabinets. Posters are
displayed in clinics, schools, offices and on public notice boards throughout the Borough.
The co-operation of the Borough Safety Officer has been very much appreciated where
the campaign has a dual purpose, such as Accidents in the Home'. Talks are arranged
for voluntary associations, parent and youth groups, etc. and these are invariably
supported by films or slides.
The health visitors are very active in this field and group teaching is held by them
during clinic sessions at welfare centres. Ante-natal relaxation sessions held in association
with parentcraft classes are taken by health visitors and midwives. These take the
form of a short talk followed by relaxation exercises and finally a discussion. Midwives
are concerned with ante-natal care in the mother's home, at welfare centres and at
family doctor clinics. (See page 25 — Health Visiting).
Arrangements are being made for a booklet to be published giving details of talks
which the department will be pleased to arrange.
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