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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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115
Group 3.
This group consists of the remaining families. Overcrowding was found in these families as follows :—
| Size of family. | Number of families overcrowded. |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 5 • |
| 2 persons | 23 |
| 67 | |
| 3 „ | 61 |
| 156 | |
| 10½ „ | 7 |
| 11 „ | 6 |
| 11½ ,, | 1 |
| 12 „ | 2 |
| 12½ ,, | 1 |
| 13 „ | 1 |
| 14 „ | 4 |
| 20 „ | 1 |
| — 23 | |
| Total 179 |
It is suggested that there is no need to provide new accommodation for the smaller families in
this group, namely, families of 1 to 3 persons, as the surplus accommodation resulting from the relief
of the families in Groups 1 and 2 should enable these 156 families to move to bigger accommodation.
In view of the size of the families with 10½ or more persons or 23 families in all, it is suggested that
the Council provide the necessary houses for them as it is unlikely that they could find accommodation
otherwise.
Summary of total houses required.
217—2-bedroom houses for families of 3½ or 4 persons.
115—3 ,, ,, ,, ,, 4½ or 5 persons.
378—4 ,, ,, ,, ,, 5½, 6, 6½, or 7 persons.
163—4 ,, ,, ,, ,, 7½ or 8 persons.
82—5 ,, ,, ,, ,, 8½, 9, 9½, or 10 persons.
23— houses for families of 10½ and over.
978
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
April 29th, 1936.
APPENDIX L.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Extension of Health Centre (3).
We beg to report in accordance with the following minute of the Council dated 25th February,
1936
" In accordance with our instructions, the Medical Officer of Health has reported to us
in connection with the proposed alterations at Health Centre No. 3, upon the possible increase
of work and additional services during the next ten or fifteen years. We are of opinion that the
necessary accommodation could be provided by some slight alteration to the plans already
submitted by the Borough Engineer and the erection of the caretaker's cottage apart from the
Centre. We have, therefore, requested the Borough Engineer to prepare a further plan and to
report to us hereon in conjunction with the Medical Officer of Health."
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
The need for extension of Health Centre (3) arises mainly from the fact that the Ministry of
Health and Board of Education in a letter dated 10th August, 1927, limited the cost of erection of Health
Centre (3) to £12,000, whereas the Council wanted to build a clinic at an estimated cost of £20,500.
In order, however, that the necessary enlargement might be carried out at a later date at minimum
cost, the Council stated in a letter to the Board of Education dated 25th February, 1928 " that the
building should be so planned and constructed that extensions can be made in the future by adding an
upper storey and prolonging the wings."