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 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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Family Caseworkers and Family Aid
During 1969, plans have been made to increase the establishment
of Family Caseworkers to work with families who have been
homeless and have had to spend some time in a Homeless Family
Unit. Such families are usually more difficult to help settle into the
community again and need most support and skilled help.
Mrs. Waight, our Family Aid, still continues to be of great
assistance to families and helps to relieve the Social Workers by
giving necessary, but time consuming, support.
Recuperative Holidays
These holidays, providing rest, fresh air and good food for
those who do not need medical or nursing care, were available
under Sections 22 and 28 of the National Health Service Act for
those requiring such simple treatment to maintain or regain
positive health.
Approximately the same use of the scheme was made during 1969 as in the previous year—indicated in the following table:—
| Type of Case | No. | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults: | ||
| Psychiatric | 11 | |
| Tuberculous | 5 | |
| Other Adults | 106 | |
| Expectant and Nursing Mothers | 5 | |
| Other Mothers | 15 | |
| Infants: | ||
| Accompanied | 22 | |
| Unaccompanied: | ||
| Aged 0-1 year | — | |
| Aged 1-2 years | 4 | |
| Aged 2-5 years | 7 | |
| — | 33 | |
| School Children: | ||
| Accompanied | 23 | |
| Unaccompanied | 91 | |
| — | 114 | |
| Total Holidays | 289 | |
Unsupported Mothers
Unsupported mothers were put in touch with Moral Welfare
Workers who, in most cases, arranged for admission to a Mother
and Baby Home during the ante natal period.
Following confinement, most mothers returned to the Mother and
Baby Homes, some rejoined their families while others preferred