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
Hillingdon 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]
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34
Personal Health Services
There is a closer liaison with general practitioners in specific cases to the benefit of the patient.
Regrettably the extension of any schemes involving formal attachment is not possible at present for
a number of reasons.
Referrals from hospital medical social workers and nursing staff continue, but not as frequently
as is desirable in the continuity of patient care and well being. However, every effort is being made
to improve this position.
With changing trends much of the social content of health visitors work will be transferred to
social workers, but their remaining medical and nursing skills and experience will be invaluable in
the anticipated changes envisaged in the re-organisation of the National Health Service.
The following cases were visited by the Health Visitors during the year ending 31.1269:
| Cases Visited | Number of Cases | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Total number of cases | 17,714 |
| 2. | Children born in 1968 | 3,812 |
| 3. | Children born in 1967 | 3,619 |
| 4. | Children born in 1963-66 | 8,106 |
| 5. | Total number of children in lines 2-4 | 15,537 |
| 6. | Persons aged 65 or over | 651 |
| 7. | Number included in line 6 who were visited at the special request of a G.P. or hospital | 175 |
| 8. | Mentally disordered persons | 189 |
| 9. | Number included in line 8 who were visited at the special request of a G.P. or hospital | 69 |
| 10. | Persons, excluding maternity cases, discharged from hospital (other than mental hospitals) | 42 |
| 11. | Number included in line 10 who were visited at the special request of a G.P. or hospital | 14 |
| 12. | Number of tuberculous households visited | 4 |
| 13. | Number of households visited on account of other infectious diseases | 280 |
| 14. | Other cases | 1,011 |
| 15. | Number of tuberculous households visited by tuberculosis visitors | 1,166 |
| 16. | Families with a subnormal child | 151 |
HOME NURSING
There is an establishment of the Superintendent, her Deputy and 34 District Nurses. Of these,
23 are in possession of the Ministry National Certificate of District Nursing and/or Queens Institute
Certificate and Badge.
The Borough is a registered area for District Nurse training, the theoretical instruction is given
at Chiswick Polytechnic, and the Superintendent and her Deputy provide practical instruction. Four
District Nurses have taken a practical instructor's course, and in addition to their work, they are
responsible for the training of the integrated students of Hillingdon Hospital.
One of the District Nurses acts as a liaison officer between the Geriatric Unit and the District,
thus information is passed quickly regarding admissions, discharges and the treatment of patients.