View report page

General and Accident Cases. Cases from this area are admitted
to: —
Carshalton, Beddington and Wallington District (War
Memorial) Hospital.
St. Helier County Hospital, Carshalton.
Croydon General Hospital.
The Wilson Hospital, Mitcham.
MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS.
The Municipal Hospitals serving this area are administered by
the Surrey County Council, and are situated at Epsom and Kingston,
and at the new County Council Hospital at St. Helier, Carshalton.
Maternity Cases. Under an agreement between the Council and
the Carshalton, Beddington and Wallington District (War Memorial)
Hospital, a few maternity cases are admitted upon the recommendation
of the Medical Officer of Health, but a much greater number go to the
Municipal Hospitals.
CLEANLINESS.
The general standard of cleanliness in the Borough is very good
and particular attention has always been paid to this subject by the
Health Visitors. The practice advocated by the Minister of Health in
Circular 2831 of concentration on the homes known to be most in
need of help in this matter has always been in force in this area.
Approximately 80 per cent. of the children under five are regular
attenders at the Council Welfare Centres, and full advantage is taken
of the opportunity presented to keep the greater part of the under
five population under constant surveillance. Great importance is
attached to the education of the mothers in this matter, and the fact
that 71 per cent. of the expectant mothers in the Borough attend the
Ante-natal Clinic is not overlooked, and the stressing of the importance
of cleanliness is a feature of ante-natal care.
Full co-operation exists between the Health Visitors and the
officials of the School Medical Service.
The Borough of Beddington and Wallington has always shown a
low incidence of scabies and pediculosis owing to the good social
conditions and little over-crowding formerly prevailing. But the great
damage and destruction to house property during 1944 resulting from
enemy action, not only brought about a resumption of shelter life,
but also led to a considerable amount of over-crowding; and this
undoubtedly encouraged an increase of scabies. Moreover, the evacuation
of a large proportion of the child population to other areas did
not help matters, for a considerable number of them seem to have
acquired the infection while they were away.
Nevertheless, the cases treated during the year—viz., 3.9 per 1,000
of the estimated population—still compares very favourably with many
20