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
Sutton 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton]
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IMMIGRATION
Under the Commonwealth Immigration Act, 1962, long stay immigrants
are required to supply immigration officers with their destination
address. This is forwarded to the Medical Officer of Health of the
appropriate area and a visit is paid by a member of his staff. This is
a useful procedure which enables contact to be made with the newly-arrived
immigrant at an early stage.
Health aspects of immigration are two-fold. The immigrant may
be suffering from ill health which requires treatment and action to
prevent the possible spread of infection or he may be exposed to infection
in this country against which he has little or no immunity., Many
immigrants to the Borough are employed in local hospitals. Those who
are not are advised by the health visitors of the facilities available
under the National Health Service and encouraged to register with a
general practitioner.
Where there are families appropriate arrangements are made for their protection against infectious disease and the mothers and children receive the normal health supervision available to the community as a whole.
| Country where passport was issued as stated by Port Health | No.of advice notes received during 1966 from ports & airports relating to the arrival of immigrants. | No. of first Successful Visits paid during 1966 | No. of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Notifications received in respect of immigrants during 1966 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Commonwealth Countries | |||
| 1. Carribean | 9 (4) | 8 (2) | - (-) |
| 2. India | 9 (2) | 5 (1) | - (-) |
| 3. Pakistan | 2 (1) | 1 (-) | - (-) |
| 4. Other Asian | 1 (5) | 1 (2) | - (-) |
| 5. African | 6 (-) | 4 (-) | - (-) |
| 6. Other | 6 (3) | 3 (3) | - (-) |
| (b) Non-Commonwealth Countries | |||
| 1. European | 44 (80) | 41 (14) | - (-) |
| 2. Other | 6 (4) | 3 (2) | - (-) |
| TOTAL | 83 (99) | 39 (51) | Nil (-) |
In addition Medical Superintendents at hospitals did 41 (25) follow-ups
of immigrants joining hospital staffs.
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