Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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but 12 patients (7 male and 5 female), formerly on licence, were
returned during the year, chiefly because of unsatisfactory
conduct.
Holiday leave for periods of more than 7 days was given
on 70 occasions over the year.
EMPLOYMENT. Appended below is a table shewing the
occupations and the number so employed throughout the year.
In addition, 10 patients go out to daily work in the neighbourhood
The patients in the workshops are occupied for approximately three hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, except on Tuesday afternoons and, of course, week-ends.
Males | Females | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Number on school register | 17 | 21 | 38 |
Farm and garden | 38 | — | 38 |
Laundry | 3 | 24 | 27 |
Kitchen | 1 | 12 | 13 |
Stores and lodge | 3 | — | 3 |
Sewing room | — | 43 | 43 |
Shoemakers | 10 | — | 10 |
Carpenters and Woodworkers | 15 | — | 15 |
Mat and Rug-making | 10 | 86 | 96 |
Papier-Mache, Perspex, Weaving | 9 | — | 9 |
Engineers | 7 | — | 7 |
Ward work only | 51 | 26 | 77 |
Working in staff quarters | 1 | 25 | 26 |
Boot and cutlery cleaning (very low grade)—Porters' help | 20 | - | 20 |
Helping with children | — | 6 | 6 |
RECREATION. As in other years, as full a programme
of recreational activities has been maintained. This programme
includes a weekly cinema entertainment, a weekly
dance, football, cricket, netball, and a variety of indoor
games.
Successful Sports Day and Christmas programmes were
carried through: these two occasions provide the highlight
of the patients' social activities and are thoroughly enjoyed.
The programmes for these occasions have been got out in
detail in former reports, and, as the general outline is similar,
it is not considered necessary to set them down in this year's
report.
The Scout Troop, revived last year, has continued its
successful course. Twenty-four boys, in the charge of the
Scoutmaster and his assistant, had two long week-end camps
at Doddenhurst, near Brentwood, and at the Essex County
Council Jamboree at Danbury Park respectively, and they
also attended the annual Camp at Valley Farm, Clacton-onSea,
from the 2nd July to the 18th.
We have not been able to revive the Girl Guides' Troop
yet, but it is hoped to be able to do so in the coming year.
Religious services are attended locally in South Ockendon
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