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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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The total number of children who attended the three clinics for all purposes was as follows:-
| Clinic | New Cases |
|---|---|
| Stratford | 1,056 |
| Balaam Street | 1,155 |
| Rosetta | 1,487 |
| Total: | 3,698 |
Some indication of the volume of work carried out at these clinics will be obtained from the following tables:-
| Clinic | No.of Attendances |
|---|---|
| Stratford | 3,680 |
| Balaam Street | |
| Rosetta | 6,823 |
| Total: | 15,638 |
This is a decrease from last year's figures. During the post-war years there has been a steady decrease in attendances, with the exception of 1951, as the following figures show:-
| 1946 | 41, 746 | 1952 | 26,160 |
| 1947 | 38,443 | 1953 | 22,011 |
| 1948 | 36,165 | 1954 | 18,760 |
| 1949 | 33,221 | 1955 | 17,751 |
| 1950 | 28,605 | 1956 | 15,638 |
| 1951 | 32,248 |
It is interesting to note that the attendances are still falling despite an increase
in the number of cases treated during the year (200). The decline in the number of
attendances during the past few years has been due to a decline in the severity of many of
the conditions treated and also to earlier treatment; and perhaps also to an increasing
tendancy to use the services of the private practitioner and the hospitals which are available
through the National Health Service.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE OPHTHALMIC CLINIC
by
Miss A.A.S.Russell, M.B.,Ch.B.,D. P.H.,D.O.M.S.
The work of the ophthalmic clinic continued as In previous years. As usual a large
number of refractions were carried out and 1,653 pairs of glasses were ordered, but many
more children were examined who either had suitable glasses or did not require them.
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