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 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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The orthodontic surgeon at Church Road Clinic treated 304 patients with 237
removable and 55 fixed appliances.
Treatment was completed for 84 children, but 24 courses of treatment were discontinued
by reason of non-attendance of the patient.
The dental laboratory which has an establishment of one chief technician, 6 technicians
and 2 apprentices is run on a non profit making basis. This year it completed
163 dentures, 1,877 orthodontic appliances, 168 crowns or inlays and 810 study models
for the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond
upon Thames.
Total costs for each year are charged to the six boroughs in proportion to the amount
of work done. The major cost is labour and although the apprentices are not highly paid
they are relatively unproductive and time is spent by the technicians on their training.
The cost of the laboratory's products are somewhat higher than that of commercial
laboratories, but we do offer a quicker and more personal service. However, as the difference
between our prices and those of the commercial laboratories increases, we may have
difficulty in maintaining the support of our customers.
NUTRITION.
The number of children receiving mid-day dinners at maintained schools on a selected date in 1972 was as follows:—
| Date | Number of dinners | Number of children in School | % of children having dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.10.72 | *14,015 | 19,677 | 71 (approx.) |
| * In addition, approximately 1,380 meals per day to Teaching, Kitchen and Cooking staff. | |||
The number of pupils present and number taking milk under the Milk-in-Schools Scheme on the 3rd October, 1972 was as follows:—
| At maintained primary and secondary schools: | Present. | Taking Milk. | |
| A. | Entitled to free milk on age grounds (pupils are entitled to free milk up to the end of the Summer Term after they reach the age of 7) | 4,946 | 4,790 |
| B. | Entitled to free milk on health grounds. (Free milk may be recommended by the School Medical Officer for other pupils in Primary Schools. The number of pupils present in this section is the total number of pupils who fall into the category) | 6,879 | 600 |
| C. | At Maintained Special Schools | 315 | 313 |
| TOTAL at maintained schools | 12,140 | 5,703 | |
The number of children receiving milk at non-maintained schools on the 3rd October,
1972, was 914 (number of children present who qualify for free milk on age grounds
was 993).
In September, 1972 meals were being cooked at 44 school kitchens and 3 central
kitchens.
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