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10
chitis and pneumonia, which had risen in the week ending December
11th to 537, fell to 476, 357 and 271 in succeeding weeks and, of
course, cases decreased proportionately in number. The full extent
of the epidemic cannot be guaged, as influenza is not an entity,
neither is it notifiable, but the hospital beds held all for whom
nursing staff could be found, and it was primarily the inability to
admit more to hospital which in turn thrust so hardly at the meagre
nursing facilities in the home.
From this the lack of domestic help among elderly people became
a focus of public attention, and the Ministry of Health began to
explore the possibilities of the local authority setting up a domestic
help service for those who from age, incapacity or sickness were
unable to manage their own homes. The lack of labour for the
service has been the insurmountable block, and only now—mid
1945—is it a fact that a beginning has been made.
•
Dentures for Expectant and Nursing Mothers.
'
20 (39) applications received and dentures provided—cost to
Council, £64.
No other reason than enemy action can be adduced for the
reduction in the numbers applying for assistance towards payment
of dentures.
Sterile Maternity Outfits.
Nil (Nil).
Obstetric and Gynaecological Consultants.
2 calls (1 call).
Obstetric Unit for Blood Transfusion
3 calls (nil).
Free Provision of Insulin.
Insulin was provided free by the Council under §227, Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, to forty persons at a total cost of
£173.