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
Kingston upon Thames 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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57
LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
The Kingston and Surbiton Divisions of the British Red Cross
Society operate a scheme for the loan of nursing equipment on behalf
of the Borough Council. The scheme is intended to facilitate simple
short term nursing care in the patients' homes, and under the arrangements
deposits are collected from patients by the British Red Cross
Society and refunded to them when the equipment is returned.
Altogether 742 loans of nursing equipment were made during the year and the following table gives the details:
| Article | Number on Inventories | Total Loans During 1968 | Periods for which loans were made | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3 mths | 3-6 months | Over 6 mths | |||
| Air Beds | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| Air Bellows | 2 | — | - | - | - |
| Air Rings | 28 | 58 | 42 | 12 | 4 |
| Bed Rests | 26 | 60 | 45 | 10 | 5 |
| Perfection Bed Pans | 24 | 105 | 84 | 15 | 6 |
| Bed Tables/Trays | 9 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Invalid Chairs,Push Type | 10 | 75 | 62 | 7 | 6 |
| Invalid Chairs, Self-propelling | 3 | 46 | 37 | 9 | - |
| Commodes | 20 | 153 | 115 | 21 | 17 |
| Cradles | 12 | 69 | 55 | 11 | 3 |
| Crutches, pairs | 5 | 26 | 19 | 3 | 4 |
| Douche Cans | 4 | - | - | — | - |
| Feeding Cups | 10 | 9 | 8 | - | 1 |
| Inhalers | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| Mackintosh Sheets (draw) | 8 | 7 | 6 | 1 | - |
| Mackintosh Sheets (long) | 20 | 28 | 23 | 4 | 1 |
| Pillow Cases, Jaconet | - | - | — | — | — |
| Steam Kettles | - | — | — | — | — |
| Male Urinals | 11 | 45 | 36 | 9 | - |
| Female Urinals | 4 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| Walking Sticks | - | 19 | - | - | - |
| Bed Blocks | - | 3 | — | — | — |
| Handling Aids | - | 2 | — | - | - |
| Carrying Chairs | - | 2 | - | - | - |
| Walking Aids | — | 22 | - | - | - |
The Borough Council makes a grant to the British Red Cross
Society in respect of the running of this service. The St.John
Ambulance Association also has two centres in the borough from which
small items of equipment are loaned on request. This body does not
receive a Council grant.