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

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Barking 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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By 1948 the service had expanded far enough to justify the appointment of a domestic help organiser—these duties having previously been undertaken by the Matron of the Barking Hospital.

YearNumber of Helps EmployedNumber of Cases HelpedTotal Hours Worked
194338
1944332
1945669
194612261
194731415
194836303
194965344
19505538780,699
19514932770,611
19528431885,743
195389384105,121

Whilst the number of cases helped has not materially increased
since the introduction of the National Health Service Act there has
been a great increase in the hours of help given, a total of 100,000 hours
having been reached for the first time this year. The number of helps
employed has been more than doubled since the "appointed day."
This increase is due largely to the steadily rising numbers of aged persons
to be cared for. Whilst in a few cases hospitalisation is really required
in the best interests of the patient, in many other cases the assistance
given renders it unnecessary for the old folk to be admitted to hostels
or similar institutions and enables them to remain, as they would wish,
in their own homes.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER SERVICES.
Prior to the "appointed day," the National Health Insurance
Scheme provided free general practitioner services only for the bread
winner of the family, whilst local authorities provided much of the
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