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

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London County Council 1944

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

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The numbers of beds occupied by patients under the tuberculosis scheme on 31st December, 1944 (with corresponding figures for 1943 and 1938) were as follows; the figures in brackets represent the number of ex-Service men and women (included in the figures) whose tuberculous condition has been accepted by the Ministry of Pensions as connected with war service:—

AdultsChildren
194419431938194419431938
Council's special hospitals and sanatoria1.419 (242)1,249 (184)1,299 (1)416519658
Council's general hospitals490 (30)713 (33)1,010 (0)121913
Voluntary institutions1,399 (157)1,323 (120)1,134 (16)554360
Total3,308 (429)3,285 (337)3,443 (23)*483581731

The number of children boarded out has shown a steady increase for some years
The average number boarded out during the year was 152, while the highest number
was 179.
Board ingout
of
child
contacts
The corresponding figures for 1943 were 135 and 167.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association, who arrange the boarding-out of
cases for the Council, reported great difficulty in placing children, especially under
5 years of age.
To overcome this difficulty, accommodation was provided in some of the
evacuated nurseries, and arrangements were made for a number of contact children
to be boarded out in the Council's nurseries, residential schools and homes.
During 1944, there were six residential open-air schools (type 1) in operation
outside the London area. The number of children in residence at the end of 1944
was 294.
Open-air
schools
type T)
During the year, financial responsibility was accepted for the supply, renewal
and repair of surgical appliances and for X-ray examination of orthopaedic patients
attending after-care departments of hospitals (whether maintained by the Council
or otherwise) at which residential treatment had been provided under the tuberculosis
scheme. Free treatment and appliances were also provided at the out-patient
departments of the Council's general hospitals for those patients attending for
after-care following residential treatment under the scheme at Grove Park Hospital
or at voluntary hospitals not having after-care clinics.
Surgical
after-care
The facilities for the mass miniature X-ray examination of sections of the
general public were continued during the year. To overcome the lack of mobility
of the apparatus through the non-delivery of a special motor-van equipped with a
generator and dark-room which had been authorised, examinations were carried
out at the following six static centres: Wandsworth Town Hall; Plumstead Baths,
Woolwich; South-Eastern Hospital, New Cross; County Hall, Westminster Bridge,
S.E.I ; Jewish Boys' Club, Hackney; and St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish Town.
Miniature
mass
radiography
The borough medical officers, with the tuberculosis officers, are responsible
for selecting the groups of persons for examination in the respective areas. They,
or their representatives, visit employers, explain to the management the meaning
of mass radiography, stress the voluntary nature of the proceedings and particularly
emphasise that results are confidential and not divulged to anyone,whether employers
or medical officers, without the prior consent of the individuals concerned. Such
procedure is regarded as essential to the success of the scheme. It is also emphasised
that the examination is for the benefit of the employee and not the employer.
Borough medical officers of health forward to the County Hall details of the groups
in their areas which they have ascertained are willing to attend for examination
and all arrangements and booking of appointments are then made from the County
Hall.