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GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES
All new staff are required to complete a medical questionnaire
and the replies assist in deciding whether a medical examination is
necessary.
During 1972,1,211 questionnaires were received and 273 medical
examinations were conducted, 934 staff being accepted following completion
and scrutiny of the questionnaire only. Four were found to be
unfit for employment. In the majority of cases quicker medical clearance
was achieved but incorrect completion of questionnaires and
failure to produce an up-to-date chest x-ray result when required still
cause unnecessary delays.
There were 292 medical examinations of teachers and teacher
trainees and, in all, 6C4 staff medical examinations were conducted
compared with 598 in 1971.
in 20 cases the examinees were found unfit either to commence
or return to work and 39 examinations concerned staff absent from
duty owing to sickness to determine their fitness or otherwise to return.
A total of 1,532 staff were dealt with compared with 1,405 in 1972.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS
The Medical Officer of Health and his Deputy, are authorised by
the Council to act under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, or, in conjunction with a general practitioner under Section 1
of the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, in connection with
the removal to hospital or other suitable accommodation of persons
suffering from grave chronic disease, or persons who are aged and
infirm and living in insanitary conditions, and who are not receiving
proper care and attention.
No cases were dealt with during the year.
Ugandan Asians
At the time of the influx of Ugandan Asians the Department was
given the names and addresses of those moving into the Borough.
Thirty-two such families, comprising 54 adults, 10 children under
five years and 22 children between 5 and 16 years were visited by the
district Public Health Inspectors. Enquiry was made as to their health
and any recent contact with infectious disease, advice was given on the
Health Service and chest X-rays were arranged where necessary. In
cases where children were involved, a follow-up visit by a health
visitor was arranged. In addition to those seen, three addresses were
found to be incorrect and 11 families had already moved on to a new
address.
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