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
Willesden 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Sick Staff.
The following are the figures for the past four years for the Nursing Staff:—
| Number of Nurses who were off duty for 24 hours or more. | Number of days off duty. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 35 | 402 | |
| 1928 | 36 | 342 | |
| 1929 | 24 | 373 | |
| 1930 | 31 | 521 | |
The health of the nursing staff has been satisfactory although the figures show an increase
from last year. One nurse had an attack of pneumonia and it was feared that tuberculosis might
develop. She made a complete recovery however, after 164 days off duty. Two nurses contracted
diphtheria and were off duty for 80 and 43 days respectively. The particulars of these cases are
given in the section dealing with immunisation against diphtheria. The other 28 nurses had comparatively
mild illnesses, 19 of which were attacks of tonsillitis, and the average number of days off
duty from this cause was 8.3.
The following are the figures for the past four years for the domestic staff:—
| Number of Maids who were off duty for 24 hours or more. | Number of days off duty. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 29 | 203 |
| 1928 | 17 | 202 |
| 1929 | 23 | 298 |
| 1930 | 11 |
The health of the maids shows an improvement from last year as shown by the decreased
number who were off duty. The number of days off duty, however, shows a comparative increase
and this is accounted for by the fact that one maid was off duty for a total of 135 days as the result
of an accident.
No maid contracted an infectious disease.
Willesden Smallpox Hospital.
This hospital admitted smallpox cases until the 30th September, and during this period 8
patients were dealt with. All these cases were of the mild or sub-toxic type of smallpox. The
average duration of stay in hospital was 17.7 days, and no deaths occurred.
Duration of Stay in Hospital.
(1) Scarlet Fever.
The average length of detention of scarlet fever patients again shows a decrease this year,
and it is probable that this figure has now reached its lowest level. The minimum period of stay
in hospital is 28 days from the onset of the disease, and 328 patients out of a total of 421 were discharged
between the 28th and the 35th day.
Average stay in hospital of scarlet fever patients, 1925-1930:—
1925—45.1. 1928—37.0.
1926—47.2. 1929—36.1.
1927—38.1. 1930—32.9.
(2) Diphtheria.
The average length of detention in Hospital for diphtheria patients remains about the same.
Having regard to the more serious nature of the disease as compared with scarlet fever and the late
occurrence of complications it is not to be expected that it can be reduced to any appreciable
extent.
Average stay in hospital for diphtheria patients, 1927-1930:—
1927—47.3. 1929—51.7.
1928—52.8. 1930—53.3.
(3) Other Diseases.
1927—32.3. 1929—23.4.
1928—28.1. 1930—27.1.