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
Barking 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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as possible on a site in Goresbrook Road, next to the Ambulance Station of
the Greater London Council and on the edge of the Southern Open Belt.
During the year, the Ministry of Health stated they hoped to recommend loan
sanction for the replacement building in 1968/69.
CIVIL DEFENCE - FIRST AID, etc., LECTURES
Close liaison has been maintained between the health department and the
Civil Defence Corp6 of this Borough.
The following are details of First Aid and Home Nursing Courses, etc., run by the Civil Defence Corps and the health department:-
| Date | Place | Course | Nos. Attending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.1.67 -16.3.67 | Civic Centre (Council's Staff) | Emergency Home Care | 11 |
| 4.5.67 -29.6.67 | Axe Street Centre (Council's Staff) | Emergency Home Care | 9 |
| 14.6.67 | Eastbury School | Duke of Edinburgh Award | 25 |
| 27.6.67 | Beverley School | Duke of Edinburgh Award | 17 |
| 3.7.67 | Axe Street Centre | British Red Cross Society | 17 |
| 10.7.67 | Axe Street Centre | Junior Red Cross Home Nursing | 16 |
| 5.12.67 | Axe Street Centre (Borough Engineer's Staff) | British Red Cross Society | 16 |
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
General
(a) In view of the national economic position, the Council placed a limit on
financial expenditure and in April 1967 it became necessary to review all the
current cases with a view to only the most necessitous cases being granted help
within the money available. As a result of this, service was:
(i) Withdrawn from 60 cases.
(ii) Reduced in 427 cases.
and a "cut back" in service of approximately 500 hours per week was effected.
This not only gave rise to criticism and dissatisfaction among recipients but
was also a subject of news for the local press.
(b) With a view to meeting cases of an emergency nature at weekends, an "on
call" duty rota has been established which results in:-
(i) One member of the organising staff being on duty at the health
department each Saturday morning and remaining accessible by telephone
for the remainder of the weekend.
(ii) Four domestic helps being "on call" having regard to their hours of
availability over the weekend.
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