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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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SECTION B. — GENERAL PROVISION OF
HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AREA.
AMBULANCE SERVICES.
Prior to the 5th July, 1948, four ambulances were maintained
by the Wimbledon Borough Council. Two of these vehicles were
used for the removal of non-infectious and accident cases, one for
the removal of infectious cases, and one for disinfecting purposes
and for the removal of infectious cases when the need arose.
On the 5th July the control of the Ambulance Services for this
area passed to the Surrey County Council under the provisions of
the National Health Service Act, 1946. Three of the four ambulances
were transferred to the Surrey County Council on this date. The
remaining vehicle was retained by the Wimbledon Borough Council
for use in the disinfecting service.
During the first half of 1948 only one of the two vehicles available
for accidents and removals was in use, the second vehicle being off
strength until the end of June undergoing repairs. During this
period the number of accidents and removals dealt with was 1,233 as
compared with 1,852 for the whole of 1947.
The total number of visits paid by the health visitors during the period 1/1/48 to 4/7/48 amounted to 6,498.
| Details of the home visits carried out are given below: — | ||
| Number of Infants visited — first visits | 590 | |
| Number of Infants visited — revisits | 1,378 | |
| Number of Toddlers visited | 2,529 | |
| Ante-natal — first visits | 224 | |
| Ante-natal — revisits | 74 | |
| Visits re Infant deaths | 4 | |
| „ Stillbirths | 8 | |
| „ Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 1 | |
| „ Non-notifiable and notifiable Infect | ||
| ious Diseases | 120 | |
| „ Foster Children | 115 | |
| Miscellaneous | 59 | |
| Total Welfare visits | 5,102 | |
| Visits — School Health Service | 610 | |
| Tuberculosis — Home visits | 45 | |
| Visits to Nursing Homes | 15 | |
| Other visits | 6 | |
| Ineffectual visits | 720 | |
| 1,396 | ||
| Total visits | 6,498 | |