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

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Walthamstow 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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55
in respect of the rheumatism clinic, in arranging for convalescent
home treatment and of after-care visiting in connection with children
attending the Open Air School and Brookfield Hospital. Miss
Lewis has kindly contributed the following report and statistics
relating to the work of the Walthamstow Branch during 1936:—
"The figure for convalescent home treatment remained at its
high level during 1936 and was remarkable for a heavy increase in
the number of children requiring a further period away and representing
one-fifth of the total. Of these, 28.5 per cent, were from
the Rheumatism Clinic, but were not necessarily rheumatism or
heart cases.
"Since the new P.A.C. Medical Scheme came into operation
we have had no cases referred from the Public Assistance Station.
Fourteen children whose parents were in receipt of assistance were
sent away, but of these, 11 were referred by school medical officers
and not by general practitioners. There is no means of ascertaining
whether the type of child who previously came to us from the Public
Assistance Station is now missed." (Note by S.M.O.—Steps have
been taken to obviate this possibility.)
"Ten Ventnor beds are earmarked for the use of the Tuber
culosis Dispensary, but only six children were referred during the
year. There was, of course, no difficulty in filling all the 22 beds
and 56 children went to the Home during 1936.

"New cases (in addition to many re-applications) were referred by:—

Over 5 years.Under 5 years.Total.
Medical men, Hospitals and Dispensaries11230142
Tuberculosis Dispensaries and Tuberculosis Care Committees ..2-2
, Education Committees and School Medical Officers501161
Public Assistance Committees
Local Authorities under schemes for
(i) Rheumatism ..5353
(ii) Orthopaedic Care8097177
Infant Welfare Centre33
Invalid Children's Aid Association7411
Voluntary Agencies22
Parents3-3
Totals309145454