[Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Abergavenny R.D.C.

  • Abergavenny (Wales). Rural District Council.
Date:
1959
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Abergavenny R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    although in operation could be extended throughout the District. The “Meals on Wheels” is of great value but restricted because of the scattered nature of the area, but the “good neighbourly feeling” could be fostered, because loneliness is a considerable factor associated with age and the cause of mental ill-health in many cases. The useful employment of fit pensioners is another problem, but fortunately, being a Rural District, many pensioners are able to do odd ]obs on nearby farms. Also, there is still a considerable shortage of suitable housing for this group of the population, since home helps or help from within the family, and, where necessary district nursing, enable many to continue to live in their own homes. With assistance, a number of these now requiring admission to County Council establishments would not require it and so waiting lists could be reduced. For those who are ill and in need of in-patient treatment, the cry remains - “More hospital beds please ! ” No less important are the infant welfare, school medical and ante-natal services. The infant Welfare Clinic isprimarily educational with the M.O. as social physician. Mothers are nearly always ready to increase their knowledge of infant welfare. Many and diverse are the topics introduced and discussed. Prophylaxis plays a considerable part in the work of this clinic as seen by the numbers vaccinated against Small Pox, and immunised against Diphtheria and Whooping Cough. There has also been an enthusiastic acceptance for vaccination against Poliomyelitis and Tuberculin testing has become a routine procedure. Most expectant mothers regularly attend either a local Authority Clinic or the Local Hospital Clinic. Attendance at an ante-natal clinic should not result in a physical examination only, but the expectant mother should be educated in the maintenance of optimum mental and physical health throughout pregnancy. She often needs help with housing, financial problems, exercise and nutrition, as well as a host of domestic difficulties. Individual and group discussion often result in the solution of many of these problems as well as an improved standard of health and mothercraft. Health visitors are proving themselves to be invaluable members of a team that strives to expand health teaching not only in the clinic but also at home and in the school.