Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hounslow]
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Rehousing on medical grounds
During the year 354 applications for rehousing on medical
grounds were received from the Director of Housing. All
these applications were supported by medical certificates
and were assessed after visits had been paid by either the
health visitor or public health inspector.
Public Health Act 1936
Nursing Homes
Section 1 of the Nursing Homes Act 1963 made provision
governing the conduct of nursing homes with respect to the
standard of accommodation, staff and the care provided for
patients and limitations on the number of patients
maintained in each home.
At the end of the year two nursing homes were
registered to which principal medical officers made periodic
visits of inspection.
The Diploma of Public Health assisted training scheme
The scheme whereby a medical officer is seconded each
year to a diploma of public health course and granted leave
of absence on full pay and payment of course and
examination fees continued.
Dr. R H G Charles, senior departmental medical officer
who was seconded to the 1970/71 course gained the
diploma.
Establishments for massage or special treatment
During the year 9 establishments were licensed by the
council for the following purposes:—
Massage and electrical treatment 2
Epilation by electrolysis 2
Chiropody 3
Chiropody and electrical treatment 1
Chiropody, massage and electrical treatment 1
Each establishment was inspected by a medical officer
on one occasion during 1971.
Mortuary Services
The borough council maintains a public mortuary in
Feltham to which bodies were admitted from the
Richmond and Barnes areas which form part of the London
Borough of Richmond-on-Thames. A nominal charge is
made for the use of the mortuary.
The coroner has directed that deceased persons who
were resident within the London Borough of Hounslow
and require to be removed to a public mortuary shall be
sent to the Hampton Mortuary maintained by the London
Borough of Richmond-on-Thames. The council pays a
nominal charge for the use of this mortuary.
Burials
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, it is
the duty of the council to arrange the burial of any person
who has died in the district, where it appears that there are
no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body.
During 1971 eight burials were arranged in accordance
with this section.
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