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 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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DOMESTIC HELP
An analysis of the hours of service rendered by the Domestic Help Service during 1964 is given in the following tablet-
| Type of case | No. of cases | Hours help provided |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity | 31 * | 929 |
| Tuberculosis | 13 | 1,664 |
| Acute sick | 40 | 1,570 |
| Chronic sick - aged | 673 | 88,177 |
| Chronic sick - others | 98 | 17,325 |
| Aged - not sick | - | - |
| Others | 18 | 3,571 |
| Night attendance | 1 | 190 |
| Total | 874 | 113,426 |
| * Including toxaemia of pregnancy | 3 | 120 |
| Number of visits paid by Organiser | 1,920 | |
| Average number of domestic helps employed each week | 110 | |
| Average number of night attendants | 1 | |
| Number of visits paid by domestic helps during the year | 66,450 | |
| Number of visits paid by night attendants | 19 | |
Care of the Aged
The work of the service has Increased during the past year. This is due
chiefly to lack of accommodation in hospital for the aged chronic sick. Where
relatives are in a position to help, their co-operation is sought.
Tuberculosis
All the helps working in this type of household realise they can contribute
a great deal towards recovery of the patient.
Care of Children
Needs of children have to be met, especially when the mother enters
hospital or where the only surviving parent is a widower who leaves home early
in the morning. The help often visits mothers in hospital to give news of
children, and ensures that children have breakfast and leave clean and tidy in
time for school.
Acute Sick
Every endeavour is made to meet the needs of the acute sick as soon as
possible to assist early recovery,
Maternity
The demand for the service for maternity cases, never great, was low during
the year; perhaps increased charges have affected this demand.
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