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
Stepney 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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I estimate the expense of such a scheme as follows:—
| Rent, Rates and Taxes | £100 a year |
| Drugs and Tuberculin | £150 a year |
| Coal and Gas | £ 10 a year |
| Tuberculosis Officer | £5C0 a year |
| Two Assistant Medical Officers | £600 — £800 a year |
| Seven Nurses | £700 — £910 a year |
| Dispenser, Clerical Assistance, Stationery, &c. | £230 a year |
| Subsidy to the London Hospital | £300 a year |
| £2,590 — £3,000 a year |
The amount to be paid from the local rates under this scheme would be from
£572 to £675 a year.
It will be remembered that until the beginning of 1913, the cost of retaining
10 beds at sanatoria for the use of residents suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis
was £650. In future the duty of providing Sanatoria beds for non-insured, as
well as for insured persons, will devolve on the London Council Council.
A great deal of the time of the Sanitary Inspectors is now taken up in visiting
the homes of the Consumptives. In this scheme they will be relieved of these
duties as they will be done by the Nurses or Health Visitors which are suggested
to be appointed.
In submitting these three alternative schemes, I have endeavoured to suggest
the establishment of a closer relationship between the municipal and voluntary
division of the work. The final result will be a scheme of closely co-ordinated
activity in which each clement plays its distinct role, and the several elements
harmoniously linked together for the common good.
APPENDIX A.
Municipal Dispensaries have already been established by six Borough
Councils, viz., Deptford, Greenwich, Hampstead, Lambeth, Southwark and
Wandsworth.
Lewisham Borough Council have prepared a scheme for the establishment
of a Municipal Dispensary, and they are in communication with the Local
Government Boarel and the London County Council thereon.
In Deptford the estimated annual cost is £774 per annum, the
estimated number of persons treated is 600.