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
Chigwell 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chigwell]
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Re-Housing Priority on Medical Grounds
89 requests for priority for re-housing on medical grounds were referred to the Medical Officer of Health for assessment, usually supported by a doctor's written certificate. Each case was fully investigated by the Medical Officer of Health and recommendations made were as follows:—
| Disease | Total Applicants | Priority Recommended | Priority Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal disease etc. | 26 | 5 | 21 |
| Heart disease | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Nervous disease (anxiety states, neurasthenia, neurosis, etc. | 17 | 3 | 14 |
| Rheumatism | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Tuberculosis | 9 | 9 | — |
| Other diseases | 25 | 4 | 21 |
| 89 | 26 | 63 | |
| Figures for 1953 were | 46 | 22 | 24 |
| Figures for 1954 were | 68 | 18 | 50 |
| Figures for 1955 were | 100 | 25 | 75 |
The 63 applicants not recommended for medical priority
included (1) illness not aggravated by housing conditions; (2)
temporary indispositions; (3) Those pleading the discomforts
of overcrowding and structural defects (i.e., grounds other than
medical); (4) Repeated requests already assessed.
21