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
Merton 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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The following table gives figures for the Direct Scheme:—
| Category | Persons treated in 1967 | Number of treatments given | Number on books at 31.12.67 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elderly | 2,820 | 18,590 | 2,766 |
| Registered Blind or Partially Sighted | 49 | 212 | 47 |
| Physically Handicapped | 81 | 463 | 83 |
| Expectant Mothers | 3 | 3 | — |
| Totals | 2,953 | 19,268 | 2,896 |
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 77 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 to whom thanks are due for the maintenance
of a most essential service.
The Society has supplied the details given in the table below of issues of sick room equipment during the year:—
| Item | Total loans | Item | Total loans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air rings | 88 | Cradles | 71 |
| Bed rests | 117 | Crutches | 41 |
| Bed pans | 154 | Dunlopillo mattresses | 1 |
| Bed tables | 9 | Feeding cups | 11 |
| Invalid chairs | 90 | Inhalers | 2 |
| Commodes | 185 | Urinals | 55 |
| Waterproof sheets | 94 |
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. Fifty-four such holidays were
arranged in the year.
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