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
Erith 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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D(2). Venereal Diseases.
A Venereal Diseases clinic for this area is held at Dartford
and is provided by the Kent County Council.
D(3). Children.
A ward of ten beds is provided at the Erith and District
Hospital, whilst special hospitals in Woolwich and other parts
of London are easily accessible.
D(4). Ambulance Facilities.
The Ambulance Service which was under the control of
the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade was transferred to the
Public Health Department in June, 1942, when the Auxiliary
Fire Service was nationalised. Since that time the Public
Health Ambulance Service has been run by Civil Defence
personnel stationed at the Central Ambulance Depot. Three
ambulances are run for non-infectious or accident cases and one
for the removal of infectious disease.
During 1944 the service was utilised as shown in the following table:—
| Cases. | Mileage | |
|---|---|---|
| January | 480 | 4215 |
| February | ||
| March | 534 | 5434 |
| April | ||
| May | 646 | 5921 |
| J une | ||
| July | 468 | 4790 |
| August | ||
| September | 400 | 4346 |
| October | ||
| November | 390 | 4544 |
| December |
D(5). Mortuary.
The Borough Mortuary is situated at the rear of the Erith
Parish Church in West Street, and consists of a receiving room
and a viewing room. There is accommodation for 4 bodies,
and during 1942 23 bodies were placed within the building.
As mentioned in my special report to the Council on a Five
year plan for Public Health in the Borough, I am of the opinion
that these premises are inadequate. 1 suggest that a new building
incorporating proper and sufficient facilities for post mortem
examinations is now necessary for a town of this size.