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
Dagenham 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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The types of tests used were:-
Professor Illingworth's based on Gesell Assessment Tables.
Dr. Wary Sheridan's Stycar and development tests.
Dr. Ruth Griffiths' Development tests.
Stanford Binet L.M. Revised.
This is the type of work for which the local authority doctor is
admirably suited. He has vast experience of the normal baby and child, even
though he may not have learnt how to express it. He has the time to do
repeated reviews of a child. He has dealt with school children where school
difficulties are based on a mild disability. He is responsible for the
placing of handicapped children."
| Type of case | No. of cases | Hours help provided |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity | ||
| Tuberculosis | ||
| Acute sick | ||
| Chronic sick - aged | ||
| Chronic sick - others | ||
| Aged - not sick | - | - |
| Others | ||
| Night attendance | ||
| Average number of domestic helps employed each week | ||
| Average number of night attendants | ||
| Number of visits paid by night attendants | ||
Care of the Aged
There was a slight increase in the number of cases assisted during the year,
although the hours of help provided are lower than in 1962. This may be due to
the fact that a number of cases requiring longer hours of service have had to be
admitted to welfare homes or hospital. This is in spite of every endeavour being
made to keep elderly people at home for as long as possible. In many cases this
is only practicable where relatives or neighbours are willing to help. The aged
appreciate the care and companionship of the regular visits paid by home helps,
apart from the actual work undertaken. One old lady was greatly distressed when
it was necessary for her to be admitted to hospital because her old dog and
budgerigar would be left not cared for. In fact she refused to go until the home
help was able to make satisfactory arrangements for the care of both her pets
while she was away.
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