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
Ealing 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THE INCONTINENT
Population of persons in England and Wales by ages, per 10.000 at all ages, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1939 and 1951
| Age | 1901 Census | 1911 Census | 1921 Census | 1931 Census | 1939 Mid-year | 1951 Census* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0— | 1,143 | 1,069 | 877 | 749 | 690 | 858 |
| 5— | 2,099 | 1,995 | 1,895 | 1,635 | 1,415 | 1,392 |
| 15— | 1.958 | 1,805 | 1,756 | 1,734 | 1,592 | 1,296 |
| 25— | 1,616 | 1.651 | 1,520 | 1,605 | 1,671 | 1,442 |
| 35— | 1,228 | 1,344 | 1,411 | 1,368 | 1,465 | 1,527 |
| 45— | 892 | 978 | 1,167 | 1,235 | 1,244 | 1,362 |
| 55— | 597 | 637 | 769 | 932 | 1,026 | 1,037 |
| 65— | 331 | 377 | 434 | 536 | 643 | 737 |
| 75— | 121 | 126 | 151 | 182 | 225 | 306 |
| 85 and over | 15 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 29 | 43 |
| All ages | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
*One per cent sample
A study of the above Table is an advisable prelude to a
discussion of the municipal laundry service. The Table shows what
has been happening to the age structure of the population of
England and Wales over the past fifty years, a striking feature
being the increase in the number of elderly people. It can be seen
that the number of people over the age of 65 per 10,000 of the
population in 1950 is two and one third times the figure for 1901
and that the number of people over 75 per 10,000 population is no
less than two and two thirds, (almost three times) the 1901 figure.
With this increase in the numbers of elderly people there has been
a corresponding increase in the problem of the care of the aged.
Many of these old people are just incontinent and one of the greatest
difficulties in caring for such cases is the cleansing of their soiled
clothing and bed-clothes. These services have been accomplished
in the past by Home Helps, relatives and friends, but with the
increase in the numbers of incontinent people the need for some
type of public health laundry service seemed apparent.
Following on the recognition of this apparent need it was
decided in August 1951, to establish a municipal laundry service in
association with the Borough of Ealing's laundry which already
deals with the baths and education service work. This laundry
service was commenced on 1st April, 1952, the delay being due to
the difficulty in securing the necessary equipment.
Inquiries were made from St. Marylebone and Kensington
Borough Councils, where services were already in operation, and
full attention has been given to the information and experience they
have had in this work.