Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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Clinic beds for chemotherapy and for major and minor thoracic surgery. Sanatorium
treatment, when this is necessary, is undertaken in Sanatoria under the auspices of
the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. Such admission can only
be arranged through the Chest Clinic, as is also the case with tuberculous patients
to be admitted to Hammersmith Hospital.
Laboratory Facilities
The Public Analyst for the Borough operates from the Southwark Borough
Council's laboratory situated in the Health Centre, Walworth Road, S.E.I7.
Bacteriological examination of food is carried out by the Public Health
Laboratory Service. County Hall. S.E.I and the Royal Institute of Public Health.
The Public Health Laboratory Service is also available to doctors for bacteriological
examinations, throat swabs, intestinal specimens, etc. The necessary swabs and
outfits for the laboratory can be obtained from the Public Health Department.
National Assistance Act, 1948
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951
Removal to Hospital of Persons in Need of Care and Attention
Under the provisions of the above Acts, application may be made to a Court
of Summary Jurisdiction for an Order for the compulsory removal to hospital of
persons in need of proper care and attention.
It was not necessary to take action under these Acts in respect of any
person in the borough during the year as in all cases it was possible to find a solution
in other ways, either by co-operation with the family doctor or by making use of
ancillary services.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 50
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
During the year 18 burials were carried out by the Council.
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
With the passing of the National Assistance Act, 1948 (Amendment) Act 1962,
the Borough Council became able for the first time to supply meals direct to old
people, instead of using a voluntary organisation for the purpose, and to make their
own arrangements for providing entertainments for old people. The Council
decided to avail themselves of these powers and to bring these new arrangements
into operation on the 1st April, 1963.
The Welfare Committee was appointed to deal with these activities and also
entertainments for the blind, physically handicapped and the hard of hearing. The
Committee was also charged with the duty of deciding whether contributions
should be made by the Council to those voluntary organisations providing services
of a welfare nature for old people which the Council is not empowered by statute to
provide. Although these services are dealt with in the Welfare Section (Town
Clerk's Department), the Health Department continues to play its part in matters of
the welfare of old people and closely co-operates with the Welfare Section.
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
The London County Council remained responsible for the personal health
services with Dr. B. E. A. Sharpe and Dr. E. M. Cran as Divisional Medical Officer
and Deputy, respectively.