[Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Guisborough U.D.C.

  • Guisborough (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1953
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Guisborough U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Regarding protection against smallpox, 45 persons received primary vaccinations and 21 were revaccinated making a total of 66. These figures indicate that our efforts to educate the public in making use of modern methods to avoid disease are becoming less effective for fewer in 1953 made use of all the facilities available. I can quite understand that the public are little interested in small- pox and diphtheria since these diseases are not prevalent in Cleveland, but whooping cough recurs with monotonous regularity; it is in some cases a crippling and in most cases a trying visitor to the household; I would, therefore, have imagined that more mothers would have gladly availed themselves of the new method of protection of their infants. SECTION III The General Provision of Health Services in the District 1. Laboratory Facilities. This work is now done entirely at the Public Health Laboratory, Middlesbrough, only the biological test for tuberculous milk being carried out at the Public Health Labora- tory, Northallerton. The service that I received from the latter under its Director, Dr. D. G. J. Payne, was always of the best; at the same time the transfer to Middlesbrough has been of great advantage to me. Specimens can be transported there much more quickly and conveniently; the same convenience of access applies to my consultations with its Director, Dr. R. Blowers, whom I thank for his helpful co-operation on all occasions. 2. National Health Service Act, 1946. With certain exceptions the Guisborough Area Health Sub-Committee of the Health Committee of the County Council exercises the functions of the Local Health Authority in supervising the day to day administration of the services provided under this Act. The Committee meets once a month in rotation at Guisborough, Skelton and Loftus. It is composed of members of the County Council, of the three District Councils of Guisborough, Skelton and Brotton, and Loftus, and of certain co-opted members. Among the services administered are the following :— Domestic Help Service. Prevention of illness : Care and After Care. Ambulance Service. Vaccination and Immunization. Home Nursing. Health Visiting. Midwifery. Care of Mothers and Young Children. A comprehensive programme of clinical work with a preventative and educative outlook is carried out at the Centres and Clinics of the Local Health Authority throughout the District. 3. Guisborough Area Voluntary Care Committee. I would like to record the useful work done by this Body for the welfare of persons suffering from tuberculosis and other illnesses. Whereas in connection with the welfare of the tuberculous the Committee has certain funds allocated to it, for the welfare of other sufferers it depends entirely on voluntary contributions. Enquiries and requests for assis- tance may be made to the Honorary Secretary, Area Health Office, Brotton, Saltburn (Telephone : Brotton 256). 4. National Assistance Acts 1948 and 1951. Section 47. It was unnecessary during the year to make use of this Section; in the end persuasion was effective in all cases.