London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Shoreditch 1914

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]

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87
After-care organizations are a crying need for this class of patient, and
should be in every district. The task of such an organization is often an
uphill and difficult one, and individual workers must not only have practical
knowledge, but must be sustained by enthusiasm. The beneficial results
however, will amply repay them for their noble efforts in the fight against
poverty and disease. Some attempt must be made to co-ordinate all the
agencies that can be brought to bear upon the patient and his environment in
order that the maximum amount of good may be accomplished.
It may be useful here to enumerate some of the principal headings included
under the term of after-care :—
1. Remedying of sanitary or other defects in the house.
2. The provision of adequate treatment for the patient and extra nourishment
when required.
3. Improvement of the patient's domestic environment.
4. The finding of suitable work for the patient under improved conditions,
either at his old occupation or at a new one, with sufficient remuneration.
STATISTICAL REPORT.
1913.
New cases 413
Total attendances 2,948
Visits paid to homes 1,205
1914.
New cases 588
Total attendances3,806
Visits paid to homes 2,720

Table showing the various channels through which the patients came to attend the Dispensary:—

Town Hall (Health Visitors, &c.)89
Royal Hospital for Diseases of the Chest73
Medical Practitioners44
School Doctors, &c.33
" Contacts "304
London Insurance Committee5
Other agencies40
Total588

Attendance in the Special Departments.

X-ray examination108
Treatment in Dental Department33
Bacteriological examination297