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
Tottenham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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Family B
| Mother ill and unable to cope. Five children in care:- | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 of these at approximate weekly cost | £24. | 0s. | 0d. |
| 2 of these at approximate weekly cost | £20. | 0s. | 0d. |
| £44. | 0s. | 0d. | |
| After the children returned home the following help was given | |||
| 3 free dinners for school children | 15s. | 0d. | |
| 2 children in day nursery free | |||
| (charged at full cost) | £6. | 10s. | 0d. |
| Home help 10 hours weekly | |||
| (charged at full cost) | £2. | 0s. | 0d. |
| £9. | 5s. | 0d. | |
| Saving to public expenditure a weekly sum of | £34. | 15s. | 0d. |
It will be seen from these two illustrations that support by public funds in
the case of divided families is tremendously costly. By keeping the family
together with some, but considerably less, financial expenditure, the family gains
confidence, self respect and is happier than it is when separated.
It would be too sanguine to think that every case can be entirely left to its own
devices once the main difficulties have been settled. It is for this reason that
the visitor slowly relinquishes her support and in some cases finds others to take
her place in this respect. It is our opinion, however, that this work is very
essential to the family in grave difficulties and to the community in which it
lives.
Statistics
The following table shows the number of visits paid by health visitors during the past two years:-
| No. of visits paid by Health Visitors working in the Area | 1958 | 1957 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expectant Mothers | First Visits | 1982 | 1781 |
| Total Visits | 3358 | 2850 | |
| Children under 1 year of age | First Visits | 4136 | 3759 |
| Total Visits | 16025 | 14568 | |
| Children aged 1-2 | Total Visits | 7771 | 7191 |
| Children aged 2-5 | Total Visits | 12643 | 11952 |
| Other cases - Total Visits as Health Visitor | 6051 | 5489 | |
| Total Visits as School Nurse | 911 | 983 | |