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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Issues to beneficiaries, 1st January to 31st December, 1966:
| National Dried Milk (tins) | Cod Liver Oil (bottles) | Orange Juice (bottles) | A & D Tablets (Packets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22,096 | 2,435 | 47,835 | 3,271 |
| (18,120) | (1,738) | (36,803) | (2,740) |
2. Proprietary Welfare Foods
It is customary for infant welfare clinics to hold a stock of
proprietary brands of welfare foods approved by the Medical Officer
of Health for sale to bona fide clinic attenders at reduced prices.,
In most clinics this work is the responsibility of voluntary
committees working in close co-operation with the professional staff.
The profits made by these voluntary bodies are used to further the
work of the clinics.
THE WORK OF HEALTH VISITORS AND SCHOOL NURSES
(a) General
A number of vacancies remained unfilled for a considerable part of
the year but six students were seconded for training and will, if they
are successful in obtaining their qualifications, become available for
appointment to the permanent staff in 1967.
The services have been expanded during the year by opening Advisory
Centres for the elderly at Green Wrythe Lane and Priory Crescent Clinics.
The object of these Centres is to maintain health and well being
in the elderly for as long as possible. During the formative peried
experience has been gained regarding the type of service most needed,
and it is hoped to set up new Centres in the future. At present a
superficial assessment of health is made by the health visitor, appropriate
advice given and referral to the family doctor made if treatment is
necessary. To encourage the maintenance of free movement, groups are
given -exercises to music and to encourage the maintenance of good general
health, talks and discussions are held on various subjects, for example
the care of the feet or diet. The Centres are attended by a Chiropodist
who is available to give treatment where necessary.
Mothercraft classes are held at seven centres in the Borough and were
attended by 475 expectant mothers some of whom received ante-natal
care from hospitals or their general practitioners.
38 parentcraft sessions, which include the fathers, were held at the
clinics with an average attendance of more than 50 at each. These
classes are becoming more popular and will be extended during 1967.
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