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
Merton and Morden 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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Ambulance Facilities. Infectious Cases. For the
removal of infectious cases two ambulances are provided by
the Wandle Valley Joint Hospital Board for use within its
administrative area, including this district. No difficulty has
been experienced in securing the prompt removal of any
infectious case.
Non-Infectious Cases. For the removal of non-infectious
and maternity cases, the District Council provides one ambulance.
This vehicle will accommodate two stretcher cases and
one sitting case. It is housed at the Fire Station in Kingston
Road and is fitted with the necessary stretchers and blankets and
with a C.O2and Oxygen resuscitating apparatus. The engine
is electrically heated in cold weather and there is thus no delay
in getting away.
The ambulance staff consists, in addition to the Honorary
Officer in Charge, of three full-time firemen drivers. Reciprocal
arrangements exist with all neighbouring authorities.
The use of the ambulance is free to residents up to a distance
of 32 miles; this meets the needs of cases transported to
hospitals on the north side of London.
The following is a summary of the working of the service in 1939:—
AMBULANCE CALLS, 1939.
| 1939 | Calls received from Public | Calls received from neighbouring Brigades | Total Calls Received | Calls transferred to other Authorities | Call6 answered by Own Ambulance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83 | 3 | 86 | 4 | 82 |
| February | 71 | 3 | 74 | 2 | 72 |
| March | 87 | 7 | 94 | 4 | 90 |
| April | 68 | 4 | 72 | 1 | 71 |
| May | 72 | 5 | 77 | 3 | 74 |
| June | 58 | 7 | 65 | 1 | 64 |
| July | 67 | 3 | 70 | 3 | 67 |
| August | 69 | 6 | 75 | 6 | 69 |
| September | 87 | 1 | 88 | — | 88 |
| October | 67 | 1 | 68 | 3 | 65 |
| November | 74 | 4 | 78 | 2 | 76 |
| December | 78 | 2 | 80 | 1 | 79 |
| 881 | 46 | 927 | 30 | 897 |
Street or works accidents accounted for 33 per cent, of
the cases removed, the remainder being removals to and from
hospitals, institutions, etc.
Number of calls for 2 attendants 530
Number of calls for 1 attendant 367
897
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