London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Leyton 1948

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]

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86
(d) that I be authorised to make the necessary arrangements
and undertake the preliminary publicity in order that
the investigation may be commenced as soon as possible.
Action Taken.
At their meeting held on 9th September the County Health
Committee approved these recommendations, but as Dr. Menzies
left the area medical staff in that month, I did not feel justified
in putting the new scheme into operation until the shortage of
medical staff is made up by the appointment of a new Assistant
Medical Officer. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining
the services of a state-registered nurse and clerk, and eventually
it was necessary to second for duty in connection with the investigation
a school nurse (Miss R. M. Edwards, S.R.N.) and the domestic
help service case visitor (Mrs. I. Neville), who volunteered to take
part in the work. As the result of propaganda by local medical
practitioners and by health visitors, over 300 applications had been
received before the end of the year. Under the circumstances, as
further delay was unjustifiable, the Medical Research Council
agreed to defray the expense of engaging the services of a parttime
doctor, and arrangements were made for the scheme to be put
into operation early in January by holding special clinics alternately
at Park House and Leyton Green Health Centres. Unfortunately
there is no available suitable accommodation in the Health Department
Office for the clerical and administrative work to be carried out.
SECTION 27
AMBULANCE SERVICES.

The following table gives particulars of the cases transported in the Leyton Council Ambulances during the period 1st January to 4th July, 1948, after which date the ambulance service was taken over in its entirety by the Essex County Council:—

Accidents189
Taken ill in street81
Maternity259
Attempted suicide8
Transfers to and from hospitals1,884
2,421

The mileage covered during the period was 13,705.