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WHOOPING COUGH IMMUNISATION.
During the year, 130 children were brought to the Public Health
Department for immunisation against whooping cough. As from the
5th July, this service has been offered to the public free of charge. The
material used is Parke Davis Whooping Cough Vaccine—St. Mary's
Hospital preparation.
Immunisation against whooping cough is still in the experimental
stage, and although no known cases of the disease occurred amongst
immunised children in the Borough during the year, the figures are
too small to be used as a basis for conclusive argument. The Minister
of Health, it is hoped, will in due course, after the trial immunisation in
the three large towns conducted by his department, give an authoritative
pronouncement and recommendation on this matter.
SCHOOL CLINICS.
With the coming into operation of the 1944 Education Act, the
Medical Officer of Health was appointed in September, 1945, Divisional
Medical Officer for the Beddington and Wallington half of the MidEastern
Divisional Executive of the County of Surrey. Clinics at
Rochester Road and Phoenix Flats, Carshalton, and at the Grange
Mansion, Wallington, continue to operate for dental treatment and the
treatment of minor ailments in children. The Grange clinic, situated in
the Beddington and Wallington half of the Mid-Eastern Division, proved
most attractive, the dental clinic being a model of its kind. School
teachers and parents show marked appreciation for the provision of this
clinic, which has supplied a long-felt want in this part of the Division.
VENEREAL DISEASES CLINICS.
The Surrey County Council was, until the 5th July, 1948, responsible
for venereal diseases in the area, and was a member of the London and
Home Counties Scheme. This service was taken over on the 5th July by
the Regional Hospital Board, who continue to be provide free diagnosis
and treatment at the Croydon General Hospital, at clinics established at
St. Helier Hospital, the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, the
East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, and at hospitals previously under the
London and Home Counties Scheme.
HOSPITALS.
Infectious Cases. Until 5th July, the Wandle Valley Joint Isolation
Hospital at Beddington Corner continued to admit cases of infectious
disease occurring in the Borough. On the 5th July, this hospital became
the responsibility of the Regional Hospital Board, and was placed for
management in the St. Helier Group of hospitals. While most cases in
the Borough continue to be admitted to this hospital, as a result of
regionalisation several find their way to other hospitals in the Region
Small-pox By arrangement with the County Council and the
Regional Hospital Board, cases of small-pox are admitted to the Small-pox
Hospital at Clandon.
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