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
Richmond upon Thames 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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and benefits and be happy to avail themselves of such aids. Unfortunately, today certain
elderly people come to our notice at a stage when it is seldom possible to do more than
support them in their chosen way of life.
During the year it was not found necessary to apply Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act, 1948.
ACCIDENTAL HYPOTHERMIA.
Emergency accidental Hypothermia Kits are made available on a 24'hour basis for
use by medical and nursing staff. These kits consist of sleeping bags, blankets, hotwater
bottles, low reading thermometers, convector type heaters, matches, change for electricity
and gas meters and hand lanterns. The kits are normally maintained in the Nursing Store,
Waldegrave Road, Teddington.
Mothers attending clinics are continually reminded by poster and pamphlet of the
dangers of hypothermia in infancy. All nursing staff are provided with low reading
thermometers.
CHIROPODY SERVICE.
Details of the chiropody scheme at present operating within the Borough are as
follows:—
Method of Provision
(a) Treatment at the surgeries of private chiropodists.
(b) Domiciliary treatments.
| Category. | Inclusive Charge | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery. | Domiciliary. | |
| (a) Expectant mothers | 55p. | 70p. |
| (b) Nursing mothers | 55p. | 70p. |
| (c) Elderly persons | 55p. | 70p. |
| (d) Physically handicapped | 55p. | 70p. |
| (e) Children under 5 years | Nil. | Nil. |
| (f) Schoolchildren | Nil. | Nil. |
| (g) Persons in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or Rate Rebate | Nil. | Nil. |
The charges detailed above became operative from 1st September, 1972.
Marginal hardship cases can receive special consideration within the
assessment scales.
| (a) Aged 65 and over By private chiropodists | 5,546 | |
| In Social Services establishments | 360 | |
| (b) Expectant Mothers By private chiropodists | 13 | |
| (c) Disabled persons under 65 By private chiropodists | 105 | |
| (d) Others By private chiropodists | 528 | |
| 8,769 | (8,219) | |
| 2. In Old People's Homes | 2,112 | (1,953) |
| 3. In Private Chiropodists' Surgeries | 24,988 | (24,237) |
(Figures in brackets show the position in 1971).
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