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
Harrow 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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The reduction in the number of beds available for the institutional
care of patients threw further work on those staffing the chest clinics.
The functions with which these clinics are concerned have been classed
as (i) the diagnosis and supervision of the tuberculous case; (ii) the
prevention of tuberculosis or the diagnosis of disease in an early stage
in a household contact of a known case; (iii) continuing the treatment
of cases that have been in an institution; (iv) keeping under supervision
all cases on the register whether receiving active treatment or not;
(v) carrying out such welfare work as is possible.
The institution of the Government scheme of financial allowance
to many patients led to the appointment of welfare officers at these clinics.
Apart from these grants under Ministry of Health Memorandum 266/T
considerable assistance is now given in the way of extra nourishment,
clothing, bedding, home helps and boarding allowances for patients
and their families.
Venereal Diseases.
In addition to the hospitals at which treatment is available under the
London and Home Counties scheme, facilities are available at the following
County Hospitals:—Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Lane, Willesden;
Hillingdon Hospital, Royal Lane, Hillingdon; West Middlesex Hospital,
Twickenham Road, Isleworth.
The most convenient of the London Hospitals at which treatment is
provided, are St. Mary's Hospital, Cambridge Place, Paddington, and
University College Hospital, Gower Street.
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL
TREATMENT.
At the beginning of the year 19 premises were licensed, while in
addition there were 3 used by members of the Chartered Society of
Physio-Therapy. During the year a further 3 were licensed, the number
occupied at the end of the year being 18.
PUBLIC HEALTH AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The following is a summary of the extent to which the ambulances and the sitting case cars have been used during the year, with last year's figures for purposes of comparison:
| 1945. | 1946. | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic accidents | 162 | 297 |
| Other accidents (including street illness) | 517 | 483 |
| Maternity removals | 413 | 463 |
| Sick removals to and from Hospitals | 2,977 | 5,920 |
| Total | 4,069 | 7,163 |
Up to 1939 the public health ambulances were stationed at the
various fire stations, being manned by members of the Fire Brigade.
On the establishment of the National Fire Service the ambulance service
was maintained by personnel of the Civil Defence Ambulance Service.
On this being disbanded the ambulances reverted to the control of the
local council, being stationed at the Central Fire Station, though manned
B