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
Camberwell 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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Ministry of Health,
Whitehall, S.W.I.
June 17TH, 1933.
SIR,
IIIa. 718/4201/1.
I am directed by the Minister of Health to state that he has had under
consideration the report made by one of his Medical Officers, Dr. N. R. Beattie,
after his recent survey of the Public Health services of the Borough Council.
The report shows that, so far as can be judged from a general survey, a reasonable
standard of efficiency and progress is being maintained by the Council in the
discharge of their functions relating to public health. The following are, however,
matters connected with particular services to which the Minister thinks that he
may usefully direct the Council's attention: —
Maternity and Child Welfare Service.
The Minister has on previous occasions advised that the efficiency of the
scheme could be promoted by the appointment of an Assistant Medical Officer to
undertake the detailed supervision of the Maternity and Child Welfare work of
the Borough under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health. The more direct
responsibility of the Council in regard to the work of the Voluntary Associations
since the Local Government Act of 1929 came into operation emphasises the need
for such an appointment, which should enable the work of the voluntary centres
to be co-ordinated and strengthened, e.g., by permitting the Health Visitors
B 2
Public Mortuary and Coroner's Court. Monthly summary of the bodies received at the Coroner's Court, St. George's Road, Camberwell, in 1933]
| Month. | Males. | Females. | Total. | Deposited to await Burial Only. | Inquests. | P.M.'s | Court Sittings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 16 | 37 | Nil. | 37 | 26 | 14 |
| February | 24 | 5 | 29 | Nil | 29 | 18 | 9 |
| March | 15 | 10 | 25 | Nil | 25 | 14 | 8 |
| April | 9 | 15 | 24 | Nil | 24 | 11 | 8 |
| May | 20 | 11 | 31 | 2 | 29 | 11 | 15 |
| June | 17 | 8 | 25 | Nil | 25 | 16 | 9 |
| July | 19 | 11 | 30 | Nil | 30 | 17 | 11 |
| August | 27 | 16 | 43 | Nil | 43 | 16 | 12 |
| September | 18 | 9 | 27 | Nil | 27 | 11 | 6 |
| October | 18 | 11 | 29 | Nil | 29 | 14 | 10 |
| November | 20 | 16 | 36 | Nil | 36 | 16 | 15 |
| December | 21 | 17 | 38 | Nil | 38 | 21 | 11 |
| Totals | 229 | 145 | 374 | 2 | 372 | 191 | 128 |
Survey of Health Services.
Reference was made in the Report for 1932 to the survey of
the Public Health Services of this Council which was conducted
by a Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health. In June of the year
under review the following letter was received from the Ministry
in which consideration was requested to be given by the Council
to certain matters connected with particular services relating to
public health. The Minister's observations were duly considered
by the Council and are referred to in the appropriate sections of
this Report.
19