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
Southwark 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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Fluoridation
There was little of interest during the year on the subject of fluoridation. The
Department of Health and Social Security Circular 24/68 merely extended the terms of
indemnity to Local Authorities and did not affect this Council which had already expressed
its approval of fluoridation in January 1966.
Loan of Equipment
Patients being nursed at home were able to obtain nursing equipment on loan free of
charge either from the Council direct or from the British Red Cross Society acting as an
agent for the Council.
The items on issue at 31st December 1968 from the Council's stock were as follows: —
(The figures in brackets show the number of items on loan at 31.12.67.)
| Items | On Loan |
|---|---|
| Air rings | 63 (55) |
| Back rests | 59 (51) |
| Bed blocks | 25 (28) |
| Bed cradles | 35 (40) |
| Bed side-rails | 3 (–) |
| Commodes | 680 (756) |
| Dunlopillo mattresses | 31 (27) |
| Easi-carri hoists | 23 (25) |
| Feeding cups | 14 (17) |
| Fracture boards | 38 (39) |
| Hospital beds | 28 (21) |
| Penrhyn hoist | 55 (51) |
| Quadruped walking aids | 4 (1) |
| Ripple beds | 7 (5) |
| Bed pans | 51 (75) |
| Rubber toilet seats | 7 (10) |
| Tripod walking aids | 10 (11) |
| Urinal bottles | 35 (38) |
| Zimmer hoist | 1 (2) |
| Zimmer walking frames | 32. (11) |
Fireguards were also supplied to families in need with children under 12 years of age
and to necessitous elderly persons. At the end of the year there were 701 (641) on loan.
HOME HELP SERVICE
During the year Section 29 of the National Health Services Act 1946, which gave
local health authorities the power to provide domestic help to certain households was
repealed by Section 13 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, which, inter
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