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 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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181
Visiting
Visits made during 1968 amounted to 20,529, an increase of
almost 27% over those for the previous year.
The number of elderly persons shown in the Register at the end
of the year, however, shows a decrease. This results from the
abstraction of names of persons who had been visited on one
occasion only in respect of the Council's Holiday Scheme.
| Number in Register at 1st January, 1968 | 9,340 | |
| Number in Register at 31st December, 1968 | 8,850 | |
| (i) Blind | 261 | |
| (ii) Partially Sighted | 124 | |
| 482 | ||
| 867 | ||
| Total Visits by Officers during year | 20,529 | |
| 1st Visits | 926 | |
| Subsequent Visits | 16,590 | |
| Unsuccessful Visits | 3,013 | |
Bathing Service
This very personal service which is much appreciated by the
elderly who view it also as a social occasion to have a chat and a
cup of tea in a congenial atmosphere, expanded still further during
1968. The additional unit opened at Lionel Road during 1966 to
add to those already operating at Tunnel Avenue and Plumstead
Baths proved most successful.
The functions of this service, which are two-fold, are carried
out as originally envisaged in accordance with Section 43 of the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953.
Home Bathing—Such a service was introduced for elderly
persons not ill enough to need a District Nurse but, owing to
varying disabilities, require assistance; these include a small number
of all age groups, who due to some crippling deformity are
unable to cope either on their own or with help from relatives.