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

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Woolwich 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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102
(7) Occupational Therapy.-—-This is dealt with more fully later in the
Report.
(8) Assistance at Christmas time. See under " Pound Day " later.
(9) Wireless licences for lone patients.
(b) The Patient's Household.
(1) By providing extra beds and bedding where necessary to enable the
patient to sleep alone on return from sanatorium.
(2) Fares are allowed to relatives to visit the patient at intervals.
(3) Financial assistance in special cases may take the form of assistance
with moving expenses, redeeming Goods from pawn, furniture debts, rent
arrears, etc.
(4) Clothes are provided, either new or from store, for needy members
of the patient's family.
(5) Where the mother of a family has to receive sanatorium treatment
" Home Helps " are sent in.
(6) Arrangements are made for the boarding out of children.
(7) Cookery and Needlework Classes for the womenfolk.
(8) Extra nourishment for contacts through other agencies.
(c) Extra Assistance.
The Care Committee acts as agent for the Borough Council in providing
extra nourishment, dental treatment, and advising as to alternative housing."
A copy of this report can be obtained from the Secretary of the Committee,
The Dispensary, Maxey Road, Plumstead.
The Occupational Therapy Centre for men continues to work satisfactorily
and is open for 5½ days a week. The number of patients on the attendance register
at the end of the year was 15. The number of attendances recorded during the
year was 4,250. Two patients have passed out into normal industry and for others
the centre has met a real need in catering for the advanced ambulant patient who
would otherwise be moping about at home.
Bacteriological Examination of Sputum.—During the year 598 specimens were
examined at the Dispensary and of these 102 were positive and 496 negative.
Specimens sent by general practitioners are dealt with at the Woolwich War Memorial
Hospital and 461 specimens were so examined during the year, 55 being positive
and 406 negative.