London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Report of the County Medical Officer—General. 77
(e) has, in the service of a Sanitary Authority, or of the Council of a Borough or of another
Urban District or of any other Public Body or Authority in England or Wales, discharged duties
which, in the Board s opinion, are similar to those described in the Act or prescribed by these
Regulations in relation to the office of Health Visitor, and produces such evidence as, in the
Board's opinion, suffices to prove her competency.
(2) Where, in the opinion of the Local Government Board, the circumstances so require,
the Sanitary Authority may, with the Board's consent, and subject to such conditions as the
Board impose, appoint to the office of Health Visitor a woman who, though not possessing any
such qualification as is above prescribed, has a competent knowledge and experience of the
theory and practice of nurture, of the care and management of young children, of attendance
on women in and immediately after childbirth, and of nursing attendance in cases of sickness
or other mental and bodily infirmity.

The sub-joined table shows the number of health visitors employed in the county from 1910 until the present time, and particulars as to women sanitary inspectors are also inserted for the purpose of comparison:—

1910.1912.1914.
Sanitary Inspector.Health Visitor.Performing Dual Duties.Sanitary Inspector.Health Visitor.Performing Dual Duties.Sanitary Inspector.Health Visitor.Performing Dual Duties.
City of London2-12-12--
Battersea111-111-2
Bermondsey-1--2--2-
Bethnal Green--1--1-2‡-
Camberwell1--1--1--
Chelsea1--1--1--
Deptford-1--1---3f
Finsbury-21-21-211
Fulham1--1--1--
Greenwich---1--11-
Hackney2--21-21-
Hammersmith-1-----1-
Hampstead--2--2--2
Holborn1--1--1--
Islington2--2--2--
Kensington22-22-23‡-
Lambeth21-21-21-
Lewisham2--2--2--
Paddington2——-2--2-
Poplar11-12-12-
St. Marylebone3----3--3
St. Pancras2--2--12†-
Shoreditch-1--1--2-
Southwark3--3--1-2
Stepney-1--1--2-
Stoke Newington--1--1--1
Wandsworth--2-2-12*
Westminster2--21-21-
Woolwich1-11-11-1
London County311210281613 1262417

The section also authorises the Council to pay out of the County Fund and charge to the Exchequer
Contribution Account any sum or sums by way of contribution towards the salaries of any person
appointed as a health visitor not exceeding in the case of any such person one half of her salary ;
and on 26th January, 1909, the Council expressed the opinion that the status of a health visitor should
not be less than that of a woman sanitary inspector, and stated that in determining the amount which
it would contribute, it would take into consideration the question whether the officer was paid a salary
commensurate with her status as indicated.
Contributions were in due course made by the Council in respect of officers employed during
the year 1909-10, but since that time there has been no sum available for the purpose, after claims
in respect of services having prior calls upon the account have been satisfied. It is, however, anticipated
that there will be a sufficient surplus in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1914, to enable the
Council to make a contribution for that year.
* Nominally Sanitary Inspectors, but do some health visiting.
† Of these, one is a temporary appointment, which may be made permanent.
¶ At present temporary—a permanent appointment has been made by Borough Council, but Local Government
Board would not approve.—Still under consideration.
(f) One appointment at present vacant, but will be filled in due course.
‡ One temporary appointment.