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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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6. Hospital Accommodation.
(a) Acute Cases.— There we're no major changes in 1956 in
regard to the hospital accommodation available for the inhabitants
of the Borough.
(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 one outstanding case remained
at the end of the vear.
The following table shows the position in regard to hospital admissions considered and/or supported on "social" grounds.
| No. of cases at end of 1955 awaiting hospital admission | 1 |
| No. of new cases considered during 1956 | 53 |
| No. of admissions to hospital or Part III accommodation | 37 |
| No. of cases who died before admission | 3 |
| No. of patients who refused hospital admission | 3 |
| No. of cases cancelled or deferred | 9 |
| No. of cases waiting Part III accommodation | 1 |
| No. of cases outstanding at end of 1956 | 1 |
It is a pleasure again to record the unfailing help and consideration
experienced from Dr. DeLargy at Langthorne Hospital,
and from Mr. R. S. J. Potter, Area Welfare Officer.
(c) Maternity.— The percentage of Walthamstow residents
admitted to Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital prior to the
appointed day was nearly 100. During 1956 Walthamstow
admissions were 60 per cent, of the total.
(d) Infectious Diseases.— Patients from Walthamstow are
mainly admitted to St. Ann's Hospital, Tottenham. No difficulties
have been noted. The Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases
has been very ready with Domiciliary Consultations, and has sent
me helpful discharge reports.
7. Aged and Chronic Sick.
National Assistance Act, 1948 (Section 47)
Four cases were brought forward from 1955 and 14 further
cases came to notice during 1956 as possibly requiring action under
this Section.
The position at the end of the year may be summarised as
follows