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 1967
[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 thenewly 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 1967 from ports and airports relating to the arrival of immigrants. | No. of first successful visits paid during 1967 | No. of Pulmonary Tuberculosis notifications received in respect of immigrants during 1967 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Commonwealth Countries | |||
| 9 (9) | 1 (8) | - (-) | |
| 2. India | 9 (9) | 7 (5) | - (-) |
| 3. Pakistan | 1 (2) | 1 (1) | - (-) |
| 4. Other Asian | 2 (1) | 1 (1) | - (-) |
| 5. African | 7 (6) | 1 (4) | - (-) |
| 6. Other | 14 (6) | 11 (3) | - (-) |
| (b) Non-Commonwealth Countries | |||
| 1. European | 39 (44) | 18 (41) | - (-) |
| 2. Other | 10 (6) | 6 (3) | - (-) |
| TOTAL | 91 (83) | 46 (39) | - (-) |
In addition Medical Superintendents at hospitals did 45 (41)
follow-ups of immigrants joining hospital staffs.
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