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
Wimbledon 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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PUBLIC HEALTH ACT 1936. PART IV - NURSING HOMES
New legislation affecting Nursing Homes was introduced during the
year when the Nursing Homes Act 1963 received the Royal Assent on 15th
May, 1963. The Act empowers the Ministry of Health to make regulations
strengthening the powers of local authorities relating to the registration
of Nursing Homes under the Public Health Act 1936, and also provides that
certain institutions not carried on for profit, which were formerly
exempted from registration, shall cease to be exempted from 15th May, 1964*
In pursuance of his powers under the Act, the Minister had made the Conduct
of Nursing Homes Regulations 1963, which came into operation on 27th August,
1963.
The Wimbledon Borough Council is responsible for the registration and
supervision of Nursing Homes in the Borough. Seven visits of inspection
were made during 1963.
No new Nursing Homes were registered during the year. One Maternity
Hospital and one Home for unmarried mothers were exempted, on an annual
basis, from registration under Section 192 of the Public Health Act 1936.
The position at the end of 1963 was as follows:-
| Number of Homes | Number of beds provided for | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity | Others | Totals | ||
| Homes first registered during the year | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Homes whose registrations were withdrawn during the year | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Homes on the register at the end of the year | 4 | Nil | 62 | 62 |
| Homes exempt from registration at end of year | 2 | 62 | 14 | 76 |
The Nursing Homes in Wimbledon were again found to be maintained and
run in a satisfactory manner. Close supervision was paid during the visits
to the way in which the records of the Homes were kept, that proper attention
was being paid to fire precautions, and the Council's byelaws were being
complied with.
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