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 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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Medical aid was required for 88 patients as follows:-
| During Pregnancy | Infant | In Labour | Puerperium | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Toxaemia | 6 | Ophthalmia | 6 | Foetal Distress | 6 | ||
| Ante-partum haemorrhage | 2 | General illness | 5 | Premature Labour | 3 | Pyrexia | 5 |
| Asphyxia | 2 | Phlebitis | 3 | ||||
| Post-Maturity | 1 | Vomiting | 1 | Malpresentation | 4 | Pemphigus | 1* |
| Multiple pregnancy | 1 | Jaundice | 1 | Delay in Labour | 10 | Sub-involution of uterus | 1 |
| Apprehension | 1 | Cord haemorrhage | 2 | Retained placenta | 6 | ||
| Hospitalization for any reason | 1 | Ruptured perineum | 10 | Positive Kahn test (at onset of labour and on discharge from hospital) | 1 | ||
| Low Haemoglobin | 1 | Post-partum haemorrhage | 5 | ||||
| Varicose vein | 1 | Inertia on full dilation | 2 | ||||
* This mother was delivered in hospital and discharged to domiciliary care on the 3rd day and
then admitted to South Middlesex Hospital.
Early Discharges
The domiciliary midwives nursed 492 mothers and babies discharged from hospital
early in the puerperium. The majority of these mothers had planned discharges. Two
thousand nine hundred and seventy-five visits were made to these mothers.
Maternity Outfits
A maternity outfit is supplied free to each expectant mother arranging her confinement
at home under the National Health Service, as well as — if requested — to
those entering private nursing homes.
A smaller pack is supplied to patients discharged from hospital 48 hours after
delivery.
Maternity Liaison Committee
As Medical Officer of Health, I am a member of the Maternity Services Liaison
Committee Catchment Area IV, whose purpose is to discuss midwifery problems of
hospital, family doctors, and the local authority health department.
HOME NURSING SERVICE
Training
4 District Nurses received district training.
2 District Nurses attended Refresher Courses.
69 Student Nurses from West Middlesex, Royal Richmond, Barnes and The
Middlesex hospitals and the Institute of District Nursing accompanied the District
Nurses on domiciliary visits. This is part of the training programme and enables them
to see at first sight some of the services in the community.
Cases and Visits
Total number of cases nursed 2,824
Number of above over 65 years of age 1,347
Number of above under 5 years of age 28
Total number of visits 86,940
Types of Care given
Number of injections 29,522
Number of dressings 11,756
Number of visits for general nursing care 23,134
Number of baths 10,597
The remaining visits were made to patients needing supervision and/or support.
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