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
Beckenham 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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My thanks are due to Mr. M. E. Forster, the present Hon. Secretary,
for kindly submitting the following report on the Committee's work
during the year under review :
" The Beckenham Tuberculosis Care Committee, which is one
of 28 such Committees associated with the Kent Council of .Social
Services, continued its voluntary welfare work amongst local
tuberculosis patients and their families, in close co-operation with
the local Chest Clinics, as in the past 17 years since it was founded.
Last year the Committee spent over £500 in the provision of
clothing, fees for Study Courses, fares for visiting Sanatoria, extra
meat and milk, and in various other ways. During the summer
families received a gift from the Committee which enabled them to
have a day's outing to the country or seaside. Also at Christmas
time gifts were distributed amongst patients.
The Committee has tried to keep before the public, the work
that is being done in the prevention and cure of Tuberculosis by
way of an Information Stall at the Local Horticultural Show, and
by holding a Whist Drive."
MORBIDITY RETURNS, 1954
| certificates of incapacity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| first | intermediate | final | total | |
| January* (ended 26.1.54) | 1175 | 4305 | 860 | 6340 |
| February (ended 23.2.54) | 1162 | 4838 | 1059 | 7059 |
| March (ended 30.3.54) | 1130 | 5902 | 1044 | 8076 |
| April (ended 27.4.54) | 734 | 4387 | 718 | 5839 |
| May (ended 25.5.54) | 734 | 4094 | 681 | 5509 |
| June (ended 29.6.54) | 676 | 3922 | 614 | 5212 |
| July (ended 27.7.54) | 615 | 4043 | 527 | 5185 |
| August (ended 31.8.54) | 604 | 3964 | 485 | 5053 |
| September (ended 28.9.54) | 676 | 3937 | 505 | 5118 |
| October (ended 30.10.54) | 879 | 4151 | 655 | 5685 |
| November (ended 30.11.54) | 977 | 4077 | 684 | 5738 |
| December (ended 28.12.54) | 853 | 4222 | 652 | 5727 |
* On January 6th the local office of the Ministry of Pensions and National
Insurance telephoned that claims had increased by 200% compared with the
previous three weeks. Bronchitis, influenza, chills and gastro-enteritis were
the illnesses most prevalent according to certification.
WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICE.
1 again express my thanks to Mrs. S. E. Porter, the local Area
Organiser for submitting the following report on the W.V.S. work in this
Borough.
Darby and Joan Clubs.
Three Darby and Joan Clubs in Beckenham and two Over 60's
Clubs in West Wickham are running in the Borough. Two of the Clubs
are held on Tuesday and one on Thursday from 1.45 to 4.15 p.m.
Membership of each Club averages 100/120, and the members are all
over 60 years of age. The membership fee is 1d. and an excellent tea is
provided for 3d. per person. Whist Drives, Darts Matches and Raffles
17