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
West Ham 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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| Year 1950 | No,of children inspected | A. (Good) | B. (Pair) | C. (Poor) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | ||
| Entrants | 4,052 | 1,288 | 31.79 | 2,394 | 59.08 | 370 | 9.13 |
| 2nd age group | 2,658 | 859 | 32.32 | 1,596 | 60.04 | 203 | 7.64 |
| 3rd age group | 2,566 | 1,246 | 48.56 | 1,221 | 47.58 | 99 | 3.86 |
| Other periodic | 2,133 | 950 | 44.54 | 1,115 | 52.27 | 68 | 3.19 |
| Total | 11,409 | 4,343 | 38.07 | 6,326 | 55-44 | 740 | 6.49 |
It will be noted that there is comparatively little change in these figures. A
pleasing feature is that the percentage of cases classified as poor general condition
dropped by 1.29 from the figure for 1949. The figure for this category (6.49 per cent.)
was the lowest for the three years.
HYGIENE OF SCHOOL PREMISES
The system of inspection of school premises by the Assistant School Medical Officers
initiated in 1949 was continued. At the end of each medical inspection which takes place
annually the school doctor makes a full report which includes a wide variety of headings
ranging from the condition of classrooms, playground, sanitary and toilet facilities to the
school meal arrangements. Copies are supplied concurrently to the Education Officer and
Borough Engineer and it is found that this arrangement expedites whatever action it may be
practicable to take on a short term basis for implementing any recommendations. As is
inevitable where many of the schools are of old construction, some of the more substantial
improvements can only await incorporation in long term plans.
During the year 45 reports were made and dealt with in this way.
THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL NURSES
A start was made towards the implementation of the Council's policy of filling all
future vacancies in the School Nursing Service by Health Visitors trained under the Council's
sponsored student scheme. During the year four Student Health Visitors commenced approved
courses of training with this end in view.
In August, the Superintendent Health Visitor, who is also the Superintendent School
Nurse, received much needed assistance from the very welcome appointment of Miss Hazelden
as her deputy.
NUTRITION. Nutritional surveys were carried out on the same basis as in previous
years, and occupied a substantial proportion of the school nurses' time.
The Ministry of Education form 10b M (Subsidiary School Medical Record) was used
for all new pupils. The addition on the reverse side of a height and weight chart enables
the entries to be made both graphically and in figures.
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