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
West Ham 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Age groups of patients treated are as follows:-
| Total Cases | New Cases | Total Visits | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham | Lady Rayleigh | Total | West Ham | Lady Rayleigh | Total | West Ham | Lady Rayleigh. | Total | |
| Under 5 Years | 1 | - | 1 | 35 | 39 | 74 | 253 | 319 | 572 |
| 5-64 | 1,239 | 1,458 | 2,697 | 569 | 711 | 1,280 | 14,515 | 17,404 | 31,919 |
| 65 and over | 162 | 241 | 403 | 541 | 606 | 1,147 | 27,045 | 33,329 | 60,374 |
| Total | 1,402 | 1,699 | 3,101 | 1,145 | 1,356 | 2,501 | 41,813 | 51,052 | 92,865 |
| Grand Total: | 3,101 | 2,501 | 92,865 | ||||||
| These tables do not show any striking difference from those for 1956. | |||||||||
Home Nursing Centre
The service for patients residing north of the District Railway line was provided, as
previously, by the staff from the Lady Rayleigh Training Home (under agency arrangements
with the Essex County Council). South of the Railway line the service continued from the
Liverpool Road Centre. Prom there the nurses go out to cover the whole of this area. Those
patients who were able attended the Centre and were treated there.
The service mostly depends on married women who can only spare a few hours a day
from their home commitments, but who also have a real sense of vocation for nursing and
enjoy their work. This has resulted in them voluntarily undertaking to maintain a latenight
service where the need arises.
Loan Scheme
The provision on loan of nursing equipment for patients nursed at home continues to
be a valuable adjunct to the Home Nursing Service.
Laundry Service
Plans for this service have continued to develop slowly and it is hoped that it will
commence early in the new year.
Queens Institute of District Nursing
The visitor from the Institute visited West Ham for three days towards the end of
the year. She found that the nurses gave a very good service under the circumstances, but
would be better fitted for the work if they could take their Queens District Training. She so
inspired the nurses themselves that a number of them have indicated their Willingness to undertake
this training. The arrangements to make this possible are under consideration and will be
started as soon as possible.
It is also hoped that some in-service training will be made available for those members
of the staff who, for various reasons, are not able to take the Queens Training.
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