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
Islington 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Doubtful cases referred for repeat examination 17
Positive 1*
Under 25 225 35-44 280
25-34 446 45-54 153
Over 55 49
* Referred to hospital. Result not known. Patient moved away.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
293 persons were recommended by their doctors, hospital consultants, etc., for recuperative holidays
during 1970. Only suitable persons recommended on medical grounds as being in need of rest, fresh air and
good food to aid recovery from recent illness could be considered. 46 recommendations were not approved,
some on the grounds that medical and nursing care were required, and these applications were referred to
the appropriate hospital boards. Others related to elderly persons who had not recently been ill and these
were referred to the Welfare Department, etc. Recommendations on behalf of school children were mostly
referred to the Inner London Education Authority which maintains two holiday homes.
84 persons cancelled their holidays at some stage after approval in spite of the fact that the maximum
charge is £5 a week plus fares and this charge is frequently reduced for persons unable to pay this amount.
As shown below, the number of recuperative holidays decreased again this year, although those for psychiatric patients increased.
| Holidays arranged 1969 | |
|---|---|
| Expectant and Nursing Mothers | 2 (2) |
| Tuberculous adults | 11 (10) |
| Other adults | 70 (124) |
| Psychiatric patients | 15 (8) |
| Accompanied children | 23 (22) |
| Unaccompanied children (placed by I.L.E.A.) | 38 (60) |
| Total | 159 (226) |
HOME HELP
This service continued to operate from three area offices, each staffed by a home help organiser, an
assistant and a clerk.
The demand for the service is constant, and it is without doubt amongst the most important and
practical of social services. For the elderly housebound, the home help often becomes a valued friend, and
is always a vital link with the outside world for the lonely elderly.
One organiser reports that in her area voluntary contributions were made by clinic and home help office
staff and by home helps to collect together items for parcels to the value of 75p each. 82 such parcels were
delivered to aged patients by home helps, etc., as Christmas gifts and were much appreciated.
By arrangement with Health Visitors and/or Social Workers, the provision of this service is used in
suitable instances to provide early morning and evening "mothering" for deprived children who might
otherwise need residential care. In many of these and other cases, individual home helps give much kindly
help beyond the service for which they are paid.
100