London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Brent 1965

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]

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9
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
A comprehensive service continues to be offered to expectant mothers by general practitioners,
hospitals, and the Borough's medical and nursing staff. Health Visitors continue to follow up expectant
mothers who have failed to keep their appointments at local and hospital clinics. Mothercraft often combined
with relaxation classes are held in all clinics to provide help and advice to all mothers.

Ante-natal Clinics

SessionsAttendancesAverage attendance per session
Ante-natalPost-natal
96310,13624310.8

Cervical Cytology.
Two cervical cytology clinics have been opened in the Borough during the year for the early detection
of uterine cancer. One is held at Kilburn Clinic on Saturday mornings, and the other at 245, Stag Lane
Clinic on Wednesday mornings. At the moment, the service is limited to symptom-free women over the age of
30, who have had several pregnancies. More and more general practitioners are making use of this valuable
service.
Liaison with Hospitals.
The exchange of Medical Officers between the Paediatric Out-Patients' Department at the Central
Middlesex Hospital and the local authority continues satisfactorily and greatly benefits both departments.
CHILD WELFARE CLINICS
Child welfare sessions were regularly held in the fifteen clinics in the Borough. These sessions were
well attended and mothers were given help and advice on all aspects of child care by the Assistant Medical
Officers and Health Visitors.
A high percentage of children continued to receive vaccination against smallpox, and immunisation
against the main infectious diseases.
The measles vaccine trial started in 1964 was successfully completed during the year.

Health education projects are displayed in all clinics.

Clinic sessionsTotal AttendancesSeen by doctorReferred elsewhereAverage attendance per session
2,26171,15222,87866331.5

DENTAL SERVICE FOR EXPECTANT AND NURSING MOTHERS AND
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE (Table 6)
The Priority Dental Service was available in 11 centres in the Borough and 410 sessions were held.
It must be stressed that whilst the dental health of expectant and nursing mothers shows some improvement,
that of pre-school children shows little change. It is true that a slightly larger percentage of these children
require no treatment, but it is alarming to find so many cases where the actual amount of treatment per mouth
has greatly increased and frequently involves the upper front teeth to such an extent that even at 3 years of
age little can be done to save them. Current investigations show that this to a large extent is due to the
excessive use of concentrated orange juice and vitamin syrups, particularly where these are offered to infants
and young children in an incorrect manner and without any attempt at oral hygiene. Further comments in
the report of the Principal School Dental Officer (Page 64) indicate the results of this in later life.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UPS OF FAMILIES
The Family Service Unit continues its valuable work with problem families and has now worked in
the Area for the past seven years. The Council made a grant of £2,750 to the Unit during the financial year
1965/66. The overall volume of work increased considerably during 1965—eight new families were referred
and the total caseload at the end of the year was 29. Maximum co-operation has existed between the Unit
and members of the Department.
DAY NURSERIES (Tables 7, 8, 9)
The 540 approved places in the eleven Day Nurseries have been filled throughout the year. From
May 31st the number of places available for Brent children in York Park Day Nursery, Hendon was reduced
from 30 to 15.
The demand for day nursery admission continued at a high level. The standard charge for admission
remained at 17/ 6d. per day.