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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The Geriatric health visitor attached to St.Helier Hospital
attends the three Advisory Centres for the elderly and will be
concerned with the opening of further centres in Wallington and
Sutton. She keeps the hospital and local authority services informed
and in close touch with the needs of the elderly referred to the
geriatric unit at St.Helier Hospital.
The health visitors' case load was as follows:-
| 0-1 years | 1-5 years | 0-5 years | Families | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2370 | 8262 | 10,632 | 8486 |
| (2513) | (8561) | (11,074) | (7982) | |
| Average caseload for staff in post 17(17) | 139 | 486 | 625 | 499 |
| (150) | (503) | (651) | (470) | |
| Average caseload for 22 (21) establishment in December 1966 | 108 | 375 | 487 | 386 |
| (120) | (408) | (528) | (380) |
Cases visited by health visitors 1st January to 31st December 1966
| Children under 1 year of age | Children age 1 and lander 2 years | Children age 2 and under 5 years | Total No. of children visited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2497 | 2265 | 6228 | 10,990 |
| (2751) | (2579) | (6821) | (12,151) |
(c) Screening Tests
The early diagnosis of abnormalities of hearing and metabolism
is essential if speech is to develop and one particular form of
mental subnormality prevented. Screening tests were offered to
all children for whom birth notifications were received during the
year. A screening test of hearing is offered to all children at
the age of 8 months. 1710 children were tested and 107 re-tested
of whom 9 were referred to audiology clinic for further examination.
Phenylketonuria is a condition present at birth which leads to
rapid mental retardation. Immediate treatment with successful
results can be given if the condition is diagnosed early and a simple
urine test has been devised for this purpose which is done between
three and eight weeks of age. During 1966 the urine of
approximately 2400babies was tested, no positive results were found.
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