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
Greenwich 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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96
in new, high density dwellings and smoke control areas, intensifies
the difficulties encountered in the disposal of soiled dressings,
incontinent pads, etc., the solution to which may mean an expensive
ad hoc collecting service.
Home Nursing Equipment—Loans
This service, concerning loans of nursing and sick room aids
for persons being nursed at home, previously administered by the
L.C.C., was continued by the Health and Welfare department during
the current year.
Such equipment is supplied free of charge on indefinite loan
at the request of the family doctor, district nurse, hospital almoner,
health visitor, old people's visitor, etc.
Since the inception of the scheme under the National Health
Service Act, the demand for the service has grown and, despite the
recent reorganisation, this growth has persisted.
Although the need for larger or more expensive items was not so acute during 1965, it can clearly be seen in the following table that the total demand was approximately 33% higher than that for the previous year.
| Items | Number | Loaned |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 1965 | |
| Air Rings | 26 | 46 |
| Armchair Commodes | 264 | 307 |
| Back Rest | 53 | 80 |
| Beds (cot type) | 4 | 7 |
| Beds (hospital type) | 16 | 18 |
| Bed Cradles | 31 | 64 |
| Bed Pans | 28 | 40 |
| Easicarri Hoists | 14 | 13 |
| Egerton electrically operated bed | — | 1 |
| Fracture Boards | 14 | 16 |
| Mackintosh Sheets | 45 | 76 |
| Mattresses | 17 | 23 |
| P.C.P. Nursing Mattress | — | 1 |
| Penryn Hoist | 17 | 10 |
| Ripple Beds | 11 | 1 |
| Sorbo Rings | 1 | 21 |
| Urinals | 12 | 27 |
| Walking Aids | 57 | 67 |
| Wheelchairs (indoor use only) | 36 | 41 |
| Total Issues | 646 | 859 |