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

Wimbledon 1927

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]

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Table: Wimbledon Isolation Hospital.

Wimbledon Isolation Hospital.

Carried over from 1926Under 5 years.Over 5 years.Total.Deaths.Remarks.
Under 5 yearsOver 5 years.Total.
Scarlet Fever41721---Daily average number of cases, 39.
Diphtheria-66---
Cases admitted in 1927.
From Wimbledon
Scarlet Fever24118142-11
Scarlet Fever (Staff)-11---
Scarlet Fever and Puerperal Fever-11---Average number of days in hospital, 43
Diphtheria74143112
Pneumonia1-1---
Typhoid Fever-44---
Para Typhoid-33---
Erysipelas1121-1
Encephalitis Lethargica1-1---
From Kingston.Total Kingston cases, 89
Scarlet Fever42226---
Diphtheria75663-11
From Caterham.
Diphtheria-1515---
From Merton.
Scarlet Fever-11---
Total Treated in 192749286335235

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During the first half of the year the admissions to the hospital
were below the average, but from September onwards the
numbers considerably increased. An outbreak of diphtheria in
Kingston, and the admission of overflow cases of diphtheria from
the Caterham Military Hospital, added greatly to the work in
the diphtheria wards without, however, stressing the accommodation.
In this connection it should be remembered that the number
of beds in the Isolation Hospital (105) actually exceeds the local
requirements, and the admission of cases from outside areas is
not only a financial advantage to the Borough, but provides
better training for the nursing staff. One difficulty, which is experienced
in all hospitals at the present time, is in regard to
staffing. The regulations and standards for the training of nurses
have been raised and the strict training and long hours appear to
be deterrents to the best type of nurses coining forward and remaining
in the service.
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