London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Chislehurst 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chislehurst]
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22
LAUNDRY FOR THE AGED SICK.
The service for laundering bedding from aged and incontinent
invalids, where it was not possible to use ordinary facilities was
inaugurated in April, 1954. Bedding was collected from the homes
of persons concerned, laundered by the Sidcup Hospital Management
Committee and returned. The service was much appreciated
by those who had need to use it. Persons who might otherwise
have occupied a hospital bed were enabled to remain in their own
homes. During 1957, the service was utilised by four persons for
periods varying from twelve to four months.
Chislehurst and Sidcup Council was the only authority in
Kent to be associated with a scheme of this nature. Unfortunately,
the Hospital Management Committee came to the conclusion that
it could no longer bear the cost of laundering and the service had
to be withdrawn at the beginning of 1958.
LABORATORY SERVICE.
Medical specimens are sent to the Public Health Laboratory at
Maidstone. In cases of urgency specimens are examined at the
Bromley Hospital Laboratory, and I am again indebted to Dr. Keall
and his staff for this assistance.
During the course of the year, the following specimens have been submitted for examination :—
| Food | Faeces | Vomit | Others | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. sent | No. Positive | No. sent | No. Positive | No. sent | No. Positive | No. sent | No. Positive | |
| Bromley Hospital | 11 | — | 41 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Maidstone Public Health Laboratory | — | — | 73 | 12 | — | — | — | — |
| Orpington Hospital | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Totals | 11 | — | 115 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — |
The number of specimens of food and fæces sent for examination
shows a large decrease for the year. This is accounted for by
a drop in the number of dysentery cases which it was necessary to
investigate.
Through the co-operation of Dr. Randall of Orpington
Hospital, copies of numerous reports on similar specimens
submitted by local practitioners, were also made available to me.