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
Croydon 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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63
CONVALESCENCE.
The Corporation accept financial responsibility for convalescent
treatment for approved cases, subject to recovery of cost
according to the income of the patient. The conditions imposed
are that convalescence must follow some definite illness or accident,
must be recommended by a doctor, and taken at a recognised
convalescent home. During the year, 92 cases were dealt with,
83 being adults (male, 25, female, 58) and 9 children. These
figures do not include school children for whom arrangements are
made by the Education Committee.
LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
The Corporation loan equipment and make a small weekly charge, with exemption for incomes below a certain figure. During the vear the undermentioned loans were made:—
| Bed Pans | 211 | Air Cushions | 330 |
| Bed Rests | 153 | Bed Cradles | 23 |
| Rubber Bed Pans | 90 | Urinals | 109 |
| Mackintosh Sheets | 339 | Air Beds | 20 |
| Feeding Cups | 11 | Dunlopillo Mattresses | 2 |
| Wheel Chairs | 12 | Kidney Dishes | 4 |
| Commodes | 15 | Bed Tables | 7 |
| Crutches pairs | 2 | Douche Can | 3 |
DOMESTIC HELPS.
This service continued in great demand and an analysis of the work covered shows the following approximate percentages:—
| Maternity Cases | 37.5 |
| Sickness | 61.2 |
| Sick Room Helpers | 1.2 |
| (1) Number of Home Helps—January 1st and December 31st, 1951:— | |
| (a) Full-time | 22 |
| (b) Part-time | 95 |
| (2) Number of new applications— | |
| (a) Maternity | 625 |
| (b) Sickness | 950 |
| (c) Sick Room Helpers | 18 |