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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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(b) Chronic Cases—Regional Hospital Boards have asked
that Medical Officers of Health shall support when necessary on
" social grounds," the recommendations of medical practitioners
for the admission of the chronic sick to hospital. All possible
help was given when requested, and only two outstanding cases
remained at the end of the year.
The following table shows the position in regard to hospital admissions considered and supported on " social " grounds.
| No. of cases at end of 1951 awaiting Hospital admission | 1 |
| No. of new cases considered during 1952 for Hospital admission | 15 |
| No. of admissions to Hospital | 13 |
| No. of cases who died before admission | 1 |
| No. of cases outstanding at end of 1952 | 2 |
It is a pleasure to record the unfailing help and consideration
experienced from the Senior Medical Officer (Dr. DeLargy) at
Langthorne Hospital.
(c) Maternity.—The effect of the transfer of Thorpe Coombe
Maternity Hospital to the Regional Hospital Board has, somewhat
naturally, been to restrict the admission of Walthamstow patients
who were expected to have a normal confinement other than the
first and in favour of patients from other parts of the Hospital
Group, and presumably requiring admission on obstetric and/or
"social" grounds. At the same time it must be stated that no
patient booking late and requiring hospital accommodation either
on obstetric and/or "social" grounds has been refused admission
to some other maternity hospital by arrangement made at Thorpe
Coombe.
The percentage of Walthamstow residents admitted to Thorpe
Coombe prior to the appointed day was of the order of 98—99.
In 1949 it fell to 88.4, in 1950 to 77 and in 1951 to 64.1. During
the year under review Walthamstow admissions rose to approximately
75%.
(d) Infectious Diseases.—The Regional Hospital Board
decided that after the 31st December, 1952, cases of infectious
diseases would not be admitted to Chingford Hospital and that
patients from Walthamstow would be admitted to St. Ann's
Hospital, Tottenham.
It is eventually intended that Chingford Hospital will become
a General Hospital, but the immediate policy will be to transfer
post-operative and certain medical cases from the other hospitals
in the Group and to continue the admission of light medical cases
from the surrounding area.
There will be 64 beds available at the beginning of 1953,
and it is hoped, a further 20 beds will be available in 1954.