London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Southall 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]

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of liaison with the County Health Staff, whereby the Health Visitors can be asked to visit
the home, and the schools attended by any members of the defaulting family, and while
attendances at the Clinic cannot be enforced, such visiting usually results in treatment being
obtained.

The total number of attendances at the Clinic for treatment of scabies and other skin conditions during 1950 was 1,480. Details of the cases were as follows:—

First VisitRe-attendancesTotal
Scabies287199
Other skin conditions145740885
Verminous heads268228496
Baths (292 treatment baths; 169 ordinary)461
Total attendances for all purposes1,941
Total attendances for treatment1,480

OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
Eighteen cases of old people living in difficult circumstances were brought to the notice
of the Department during 1950. These cases were investigated carefully and on no occasion
was it necessary to use the powers provided in the National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47,
for compulsory removal to institutions.
Details of the cases are as follows:—
3 admitted to hospital.
4 remained in their own homes because of improvement of conditions, i.e. by
assistance from Home Helps and District Nurses.
5 died before hospital or hostel admission.
6 remaining under observation.
Excellent co-operation was obtained from the Home Help Service Department and
Welfare Department of the County Council, and the Almoners of the local Hospitals.
During the year 1950 a voluntary Old People's Welfare Committee was set up in the Borough,
through which it was possible to obtain items of domestic equipment, i.e., fireguards,
walking-sticks, etc., which were of great value in enabling individuals to have their home
conditions improved, or to make them more mobile. The Meals on Wheels Service undertaken
by the Women's Voluntary Service, with a grant aid from the Borough Council funds,
supplied 1,200 meals to old people during 1950. At Christmas, many voluntary associations
assisted in the provision of special comforts for the aged of the Borough, not only for those in
their own homes, but for those removed to Institutions in the near neighbourhood.
HEALTH PROPAGANDA
During the year propaganda was continuous in factories, canteens, youth organisations,
adult associations, and to small groups. Members of the Health Department staff were
always ready to address meetings on health subjects when asked to do so, and it is an integral
part of the work of all members of the Health Department staff to spread propaganda concerning
personal and communal hygiene wherever they are working. A series of poster
exhibits, appropriate to the time of the year in each case, was displayed on the public notice
boards. In order to assist propaganda the Council authorised the purchase of a film strip
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