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

Walthamstow 1945

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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54
Staffing.—This has, at times, proved difficult, and much help
was received from Civil Defence personnel—in total amounting
to some 1,006 hours work.
Training.—Thirteen probationers obtained the Nursery Nurses
Certificate, including one distinction. The Council agreed to pay
the examination fees of probationers.
Hours of Opening.—From October the Nurseries were open
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Infectious and Contagious Diseases.—Comparatively limited
outbreaks of Bacillary Dysentery (Sonne) occurred at Handsworth
Avenue and Higham Hill Day Nurseries. These are referred to in
the Public Health section of this report.
DAILY GUARDIANS.
This scheme has operated since 1942 in conjunction with the
Ministry of Labour, but terminated in its original form on 31st March,
1946, when the payments to Guardians by that Ministry ended.

Table: The scheme attained a limited success in Walthamstow in the earlier years of the war, but fell into disuse by the end of 1945, as will be seen from the following table: -

The scheme attained a limited success in Walthamstow in the earlier years of the war, but fell into disuse by the end of 1945, as will be seen from the following table: -

Registered Daily Guardians.Mothers requiring Daily Guardians.
19425640
19432626
194499
19454Nil

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The scheme operated in the following manner:—
The intending Daily Guardian filled in a form of application.
If the Sanitary Inspector's report was satisfactory details were
handed to the Health Visitor, a registration form was sent to the
Labour Exchange and the Daily Guardian notified.
The "mothers" form was sent to the Labour Exchange, from
which the Guardian of the child obtained payment weekly.

Table: INFANT MORTALITY.

INFANT MORTALITY.

Males.Females.Total.
Legitimate372461
Illegitimate145
Total382866