[Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council.

  • Worcestershire (England). County Council.
Date:
1967
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/68 page 4
    Later in my report mention is made of the new Family Planning Act. The Health Committee has decided to ask the Family Planning Association, an active voluntary organisation, to act as agents of the County Council and to extend the service to cover the whole County. Many points arising from the new Act are still under discussion and there is confidence that the outcome will be the creation of an effective and efficient service in Worcestershire not only in family planning but also advising in cases of male and female infertility. Cervical Cytology : Once the initial enthusiasm had waned it was disappointing that the cervical cytology service rapidly reverted to a general state of apathy. A later reference is made to the fact that the women at greatest risk are not coming forward for examina¬ tion. This is in distinct contrast to North America where women pay for the service and undergo regular tests to ensure that no cancer changes have occurred in the uterine cells. More propaganda is needed to stimulate the interest of those women most in need. We have so far only dealt with the “ converted ” and much work will have to be done to persuade all women to seek advice. Midwifery Service : It will be noted that there was a reduction in the number of births attended by the domiciliary midwives over the previous year. Whilst adjustment of the population accounts for some of the difference there is no doubt that hospital confinements associated with early discharge are currently preferred. The dissatisfaction of the local health authority midwives to hospital confinements for non-complicated cases can be both appreciated and understood when the skilled work for which they have been professionally trained is removed and replaced by only routine care. This routine care of a new baby and mother recovering from her confinement is devoid of much of the personal care and interest when the midwife has not delivered the baby personally. The actual delivery and supervision of the confinement creates a rewarding association between the midwife and her “ mothers.” Every effort is now being made to have the cars of all midwives placed under radio control. Experiments have been most encouraging and during 1968 all staff should be in radio contact. This, of course, is not possible until the new ambulance radio control is operational. List of Children “ at risk ” The Ministry of Health call for special mention on the scheme for notification to medical officers of health of congenital defects apparent at birth and this is outlined in the body of my report. It will be seen that the notification of birth card is still the main source for this information and the loyal co-operation of the midwives is appreciated. Health Visiting Service : It is pleasing to record that at the time of writing the new health clinic at Catshill is nearing completion and the clinic when fully operational should help to relieve pressure in the Bromsgrove area and materially assist the health visitors with their duties and amenities. Afew Clinics : I appreciate fully the difficulties under which some health visitors are working but hope that they will accept the position that every effort is being made to speed up the provision of new clinics or more particularly health centres in some parts of the County. Progress in this field is being maintained and I am grateful for the assistance being received from all concerned especially the family doctors. During 1968 the County Education Committee have agreed subject to approval from the Department of Education and Science to build a new large all-purpose clinic at Stourbridge and in the following year a similar project at Kidderminster.
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