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
Bermondsey 1957
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1957
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OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
It is estimated that there are probably between four and five
thousand old people, i.e., men over 65 and women over 60, in the
Borough of Bermondsey and it was considered that, in view of this,
a survey should be undertaken in order to assess (a) the size of the
problem, (b) the needs of the old people, and (c) the facilities
available for meeting such needs.
The following is a provisional report on the findings of this
survey to date. It relates to 982 old people of whom 960 came to
the notice of the Public Health Department during the current year.
Table 1—Age and Sex Distribution
| Male | % | Female | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 60 | 1 | – | 18 | 2 |
| 61—70 | 69 | 7 | 170 | 17 |
| 71—80 | 144 | 14 | 332 | 34 |
| Over 80 | 79 | 8 | 169 | 17 |
| 293 | 29 | 689 | 70 | |
| – | – | – | – |
Table II—Deaths
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60 | – | 3 |
| 61—70 | 9 | 7 |
| 71—80 | 14 | 17 |
| Over 80 | 13 | 9 |
| 36 | 36 | |
| – | – |
The deaths, by age groups, which have occurred amongst those
who have been visited in the course of the survey are shown in
Table II. Rather surprisingly the totals for both sexes are equal.
Throughout the year 2,583 visits were made to old people whose
need for help or advice had been drawn to the attention of the
Department by Hospital Almoners, General Practitioners, or
neighbours. Additional cases were brought to light during the
course of house-to-house inspections by District Public Health
Inspectors or were reported by Housing Estate Superintendents who
have readily co-operated in this matter. So far as was possible, an
assessment was made of the physical and mental condition of each
patient and any special needs that age or disabilities had brought
about were noted. By a friendly approach the confidence of most
patients was soon gained and such help and advice as they required