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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
Ilford 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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Loan of Sick Room Equipment .—The increasing demand for equipment continues and the following table shows the issues from the Public Health Offices during 1954: —
| Articles Loaned | Number of Articles | Articles in store at 31.12.54 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| on loan at 31.12.53 | loaned or reloaned in 1954 | on loan at 31.12.54 | ||
| Mattress (Dunlopillo) | 10 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
| Mattress (Hair) | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Invalid Chairs | 23 | 35 | 29 | 8 |
| Air Pillows | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Air Rings | 48 | 185 | 91 | 6 |
| Cushions (Dunlopillo) | — | 22 | 9 | 6 |
| Back Rests | 32 | 114 | 60 | 7 |
| Beds | 2 | 1 | 3 | — |
| Commode Chairs | 13 | 30 | 21 | 1 |
| Crutches | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Fracture Boards (Sets) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Pillows | 6 | 5 | 11 | — |
| Pillow Slips | *8 | *3 | *11 | — |
| Sheets (Pairs) | *2 | — | *2 | — |
| Rubber Sheeting | 78 | 275 | 132 | 6 |
| Medical Sandbags (Sets) | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Spinal Carriages | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Bed Cradles | 12 | 16 | 14 | 1 |
| Air Beds | — | 14 | 1 | 4 |
| Bed Pans | 42 | 167 | 74 | 19 |
| Diabetic Scales | 5 | — | 5 | — |
| Feeding Cups | — | 8 | 2 | 9 |
| Urinals | 27 | 79 | 41 | 20 |
| Sputum Mugs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Douche Cans | — | 2 | — | 2 |
| Water Beds | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
| Water Pillows | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Bed Blocks (Sets) | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Pails | — | — | — | 2 |
| Bowls | — | — | — | 2 |
| Bedsteads Sides (Pair) | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Lifting Pole and Chain | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Commode Sorbo Cushion | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Totals | 320 | 975 | 538 | 99 |
| 1953 Details | 161 | 698 | 320 | 54 |
| 1952 Details | 86 | 326 | 161 | 66 |
| 1951 Details | 27 | 162 | 86 | 30 |
| *Provided through special funds. | ||||
Tuberculosis Visitors.—Three Tuberculosis Visitors were employed
in the Area during 1954 making a total of 4,085 visits to homes in the
Borough.
Domiciliary Occupational Therapist.—As reported last year, a
Domiciliary Occupational Therapist was appointed in May, 1954, to serve
both the Ilford and Romford Health Areas. After preparation work,
involving the ordering of the necessary equipment, she commenced visiting
in the homes of patients suffering from tuberculosis in August 1954. The
following shows the visits undertaken by her in Ilford to the 31 st December,
1954:—
Number of visits to new patients 14
„ „ revisits to patients 103
„ „ other visits (to Chest Clinics, etc.) 8