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 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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Anti-Smoking Clinics
I am again indebted to the British Temperance Society for their dedicated service in participating in two five-day clinics for the general public during 1970. The statistics for these clinics are as follows : —
| umber completed course | Number stopped smoking after six weeks | Cut down | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April Clinic | 46 | *24 | *8 |
| November Clinic | 50 | * 7 | *11 |
* Figures received from questionnaires returned after the clinic.
In-Service Training
Many senior officers of the Health Department have played a part in this very
important section by giving talks, etc., to various groups of officers, such as: —
Home helps, pupil midwives, health visitors, public health inspectors and pupil public
health inspectors, student nurses, student health visitors, new recruits to local government,
playgroup leaders and social workers.
Health Education Service for Schools
Three meetings with teachers were held through the good offices of the Chief
Education Officer, which afforded an opportunity for discussion and for film viewing.
In addition to their own work in this subject, eight schools have requested help and
good use was made of films loaned through this department.
Exhibition of 100 years of State Education
The department was happy to take part in this imaginative exhibition organised
by Gainsborough School which lasted for one and a half days.
Dental Hygiene
Kfts have been issued to all children on receiving their first dental examination at
school andjhealth visitors have given talks illustrated by suitable films to three schools.
Preparation for Childbirth Classes
These continue to be of great use to mothers-to'be. Visual aids from the department
have been used to help the health visitors cover a wide range of subjects in these
classes including feeding, labour, baby's layette, and home safety. More health visitors
have included films and the use of outside speakers in their curriculum.
Voluntary Organisations
In all, 22 separate organisations requested talks and a total of 25 were given. The
Chief Public Health Inspector has been in great demand for talks on Environmental
Health, and the Geriatric Health Visitor has co-operated with the Home Help Organiser
in giving advice to members of old people's day centres.
HOME HELP SERVICE
Staff as at 31st December, 1970
Home Help Organiser 1
Assistant Hom0 Help Organisers 2
Home Helps — Whole-time 6
—Part-time 104
(Whole-time equivalent) 66.2
Number of staff employed during 1970: 192 persons.
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