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 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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31
Local Land Charges
Particulars relating to outstanding sanitary notices were
supplied in reference to 1,791 enquiries.
General
Mr. C. W. Rayner, your Council's Housing Manager, states
that in 1951 the number of families rehoused by the Department
was 166, which included 15 families where there was a medical
recommendation in respect of tuberculosis.
During the year a meeting was arranged with Dr. Hugh
Ramsay, Chest Physician in charge of the Walthamstow Chest
Clinic, to agree the urgency of various applicants suffering from
infectious pulmonary tuberculosis living under overcrowded conditions
and in contact with young children, i.e., the Class I cases
referred to below.
Rehousing of Medical Cases
During 1951, 157 cases claiming priority on medical grounds
in connection with rehousing and tuberculosis were investigated and
reported upon. Of these, 40 cases were added to the list of cases
and classified in order of urgency.
The position at the end of 1951 was as follows:—
| Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On List, Dec., 1951 | 14 | 20 | 7 | 29 | 70 |
| Added to List during 1951 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 40 |
| 25 | 24 | 10 | 51 | 110 | |
| Removed from the List during 1951 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 35 |
| Under priority recommendation, Dec., 1951 | 12 | 17 | 9 | 37 | 75 |
The remaining 117 cases investigated were new claims or
reviews where medical priority could be given.
Apart from tuberculosis, 60 cases were recorded as needing
special investigation on medical grounds, and 63 on grounds of
overcrowding.
A grand total of 326 investigations were made during the year
in order to assess medical and rehousing claims and to prevent
duplication of enquiries by the Housing Department, from which
the closest co-operation has been received.