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
London County Council 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Table (v)—Age distribution of patients
| Age | Number of patients | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 years | 2,960 | 4 |
| 5-64 years | 30,784 | 46 |
| 65 years and over | 33,425 | 50 |
| TOTALS | 67,169 | 100 |
Table (vi)—Nursing treatments completed, cases on books and average case load per nurse
| 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of completed treatments | 64,256 | 60,772 | 56,395 |
| No. of patients being nursed at end of year | 12,535 | 12,806 | 13,749 |
| Average case load per nurse at end of year | 24 | 24 | 27 |
The Minister of Health has asked for any information that may be available about
the effectiveness of the home nursing service in relieving pressure on hospitals by
providing home care for patients who might otherwise have to be admitted to hospital.
In London the number of patients nursed has risen from less than 44,000 in 1949
to over 67,000 in 1957. Of the latter total, 6,126 were surgical cases and 714 patients
had maternal complications. It is not unreasonable to assume that, but for the provision
of home nursing, many of these patients would have had to be admitted to or be
retained in hospital. 81 per cent. of the cases assisted by the home help service were
chronic sick, aged and infirm. Moreover, 50 per cent. of the cases treated were 65 and
over, and bearing this fact in mind, it is again a reasonable assumption that in default
of the supply of these two domiciliary services, many of these sick and old persons
might well have had to be admitted to hospital.
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