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MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR LONG-STAY IMMIGRANTS
The Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health in a circular letter (C.M.O.1/65) expressed
concern about the special problems of long stay immigrants in this country, many of whom
were unfamiliar with our customs and ignorant of the scope and arrangement of the health services.
It was desirable that, at an early date after their arrival, immigrants should be visited and advised
to register with a general practitioner. Arrangements should also be made, in appropriate cases, for
an X-ray of the chest.
Medical inspectors at air and sea ports now send the medical officer of health the names
and addresses of immigrants about to take up residence in the area. Immigrants are given a card
which explains briefly and in several languages the health services available to persons living in
the United Kingdom.
In Camden a register is maintained by the Health Department of all immigrants for whom
notifications of arrival have been received from the port of entry. This information is passed to
field staff so that home visits can be made either by health visitors or, in the case of single male
immigrants, by public health inspectors. Two home visits are attempted and, if both fail, another
copy of the card is left at the house.
A record of all visits, whether successful or not, is entered in the register together with
any other relevant information including the results of X-rays of the chest. Where chest X-rays
taken at the port of entry were found to be unsatisfactory, information is passed to the chest clinic
for further follow-up.
Number of notifications of arrival from port of entry 1,107
Number of visits made to immigrants 1,073
The difference between the number of arrivals and the number of immigrants visited arises
from the practice, so far adopted, to omit visits to immigrants employed in the hospital services,
by doctors or in establishments employing a staff doctor.
TRAINING
(a) In-Service
During 1965 no formal in-service training was undertaken, but preparations were made for
various courses during 1966, for, amongst others, Medical Officers, Geriatric Visitors and Home
Helps. At the time of writing a number of these courses have taken place. It is hoped to start a
scheme of training whereby all field workers are given an opportunity of studying each other's
work more closely.
(b) Other
The Council have followed an enlightened policy and members of all services of the department
have been able to attend courses, arranged by specialist bodies, dealing with their own
particular aspects of the department's work. This ensures that all members of the department are
given the opportunity of acquiring new knowledge and being up to date in their own speciality.
(c) Staff of Outside Bodies
Some five hundred students attended lectures or visits arranged by the department to
instruct them in the work of the department as a whole or some particular aspect of it.
These were mostly students from the Teaching Hospitals within the Borough, but also
included student district nurses and students from the N.S.P.C.C.
There has also been a steady demand from Universities and Teaching Colleges for practical
work placements for their students. Such students have spent up to eight weeks at a time in the
department and their presence has been a most stimulating experience.
It is hoped to be able to continue to provide these facilities for students as far as is
possible.
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