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RIPPLE BED SERVICE
Ripple beds (air beds having a mechanically induced rhythmic
undulation designed to prevent bed sores), are available on loan to
patients of the Home Nursing Service at the request of a doctor or
Home Nurse. The beds are hired from the suppliers and 62 such loans
were made in the year.
SICK ROOM EQUIPMENT
There are three Medical Loan Depots, one each in Merton,
Mitcham and Wimbledon. Loans of medical equipment are made to
residents in the Borough on request from the family doctor or from
a Home Nurse. Owing to the heavy demand loans are reviewed every
three months.
The depots are staffed on a voluntary basis by members of the
British Red Cross Society.

RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act 1946, the
Authority is empowered to provide a recuperative holiday for persons
needing it to complete or assist in their recovery to normal health,
but who do not need organised medical or nursing care.
A recommendation from a medical practitioner is necessary. A
number of Homes in Surrey and on the south-east coast are used, the
holiday being usually for two weeks. Sixty-three such holidays were
arranged in the year.
Cervical Cytology
With effect from 4th July in conjunction with the St. Helier
Hospital Pathology Department a screening service for the taking of
smears from well women commenced in the Borough. The number
of smears to be dealt with at the inception of the scheme for the
Borough was ten per week, and the service will expand as the Pathology
Department of the Hospital is able to provide increased facilities
for the examination of these smears.
This service was made available to women of all ages and in
most cases the Pathologist requested a repeat smear after one year.
In October of this year a memorandum was sent by the Ministry of
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