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
Wandsworth 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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66
OTHER PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
There are also numerous personal health services provided
which benefit persons other than mothers and young children,
and these are summarized below.
Home nursing service
Early in 1969 the office at 109 Clapham Common North Side
closed and the senior staff were accommodated in the Municipal
Buildings. This arrangement has proved to be much more convenient
to all concerned.
There has been no decrease in the work of this service during
the year. One nurse has been " attached " to a group practice
and visits the surgery daily and this arrangement has worked very
satisfactorilv.
The following table shows the total number of persons nursed and the visits paid during the year:—
| Age | First visits | Revisits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 28 | 170 | 198 |
| 5-64 years | 722 | 23,591 | 24,313 |
| 65 years and over | 1,542 | 98,958 | 100,500 |
| All ages | 2,292 | 122,719 | 125,011 |
Home bathing service
This service is closely linked with the home nursing service and
continues to provide for the needs of many elderly people who do
not need full nursing care. All patients receiving home bathing
service are visited periodically by a trained nurse.
Loan of equipment
To ensure the efficient nursing of patients in their own homes
the Council operates a scheme for lending, without charge, equipment
as distinct from those items which can be prescribed by
general practitioners. The number of occasions on which articles
were issued on loan during the year is shown below : —
Air rings 27
Beds (hospital or cot) 8
Back rests 33
Bed cradles 25
Commodes 239
Fracture boards 16
Hoists 16