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
Shoreditch 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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6 Sanitary Towels, very large.
6 Sanitary Towels, smaller.
6 Safety Pins.
1 pkt. Wool Flakes, for wipes.
1 Small Accouchement Sheet.
2 Sheets of prepared paper for mackintosh.
Home Helps.
The Scheme for the provision of Home Helps, the inception of which was referred
to in the last Annual Report, came into operation during the year under consideration.
Towards the end of the year it was decided to work with a panel of Home Helps.
This has proved much better than selecting women at random as it affords opportunity
for tuition in their duties.
Application for a Home Help is made by the husband, who is required to state his earnings and to give the name of his employer. The Home Help is provided in those cases in which the family income per head is within the following scale :—
| Number in Family. | Income per head after deduction of rent. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free. | Half price, i.e., 6d. per day hour | |||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | |
| 1 | 21 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 2 | 18 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| 3 | 15 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| 4 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 0 |
| 5 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 0 |
| 6 | 11 | 6 | 14 | 0 |
| 7 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| 8 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 9 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 10 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
| 11 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| 12 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
The working arrangements and the duties of the Home Helps under this scheme
are explained in the following leaflet, copies of which are given both to the Home Help
and the family to which she is supplied :—
"Home Helps.
"Arrangements have been made by the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee for the supply of Home Helps to homes in cases of childbirth
occurring in the Borough.
"Care has been taken in the selection of women to act as Home Helps both
in regard to character and competency, but the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee cannot accept responsibility for the conduct of these Home Helps.