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
Lewisham 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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HOME HELP SERVICE
Heavy pressure was maintained on the home help service throughout the year and
the number of households provided with help in each of the four home help areas
increased. Because of the volume of work, the organising staff were hard pressed to
maintain a satisfactory frequency of home visiting, but during the year the Council
approved an increase in the staffing of each home help office by one half-time assistant
organiser, and with the help of the extra staff it was possible to eliminate all
arrears of visiting. Over 90 per cent, of the service was provided for the aged and
infirm. The recruitment of home helps eased slightly during the year; at the end of
1970, 626 home helps were employed.
Table 27
CASES RECEIVING SERVICE AS AT 31st DECEMBER 1970 (1969 figures in brackets)
| Office | Maternity | Tuberculosis | Aged 65 and over | Aged under 65 chronically sick | Others | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deptford Town Hall, S.E.8 | — | 2 | 635 | 60 | 13 | 710 |
| (-) | (2) | (625) | (58) | (8) | (693) | |
| 41 Rushey Green, S.E.6 | — | 6 | 792 | 92 | 6 | 896 |
| (4) | (5) | (742) | (91) | (13) | (855) | |
| 266 Kirkdale, Sydenham, | 6 | 8 | 873 | 41 | 23 | 951 |
| S.E.26 | (2) | (10) | (800) | (60) | (24) | (896) |
| 354 Baring Road, S.E.I2 | 7 | 885 | 85 | 16 | 993 | |
| (-) | (7) | (833) | (89) | (8) | (937) | |
| Totals | 6 | 23 | 3,185 | 278 | 58 | 3,550 |
| (6) | (24) | (3,000) | (298) | (53) | (3,381) |