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

Beddington and Wallington 1946

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]

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Table: INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENTS.The number of mothers confined in Surrey County Council hospitals during the year was as set out below:—

INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENTS.

The number of mothers confined in Surrey County Council hospitals during the year was as set out below:—

St. Helier County Hospital147
Dorking County Hospital13
St. Luke's County Hospital (Guildford)10
Redhill County Hospital3
Epsom County Hospital2
Kingston County Hospital1
176

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Sixty-three patients were delivered under private arrangements
at the Carshalton, Beddington and Wallington District (War Memorial)
Hospital.
The County Council experienced great difficulty in making
adequate provision for the reception of maternity cases. This was
occasioned by the shortage of staff as well as the carrying out of wardamage
repairs to the County Council's hospitals. No urgent or
necessitous case was, however, refused institutional confinement,
admission to one or other of the County hospitals being satisfactorily
arranged.

Table: HOME HELP AND DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE.The services of four full-time paid helpers were utilised throughout the year. The cases attended were as follows:—

HOME HELP AND DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE.

The services of four full-time paid helpers were utilised throughout the year. The cases attended were as follows:—

Home Help.Domestic Help.
Full-time6221
Part-time2517
8738

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The demand for this service fluctuates greatly, rising and falling
as the number of births occur. The importance of making provision
to assist women having domiciliary confinements cannot be overemphasised.
The great majority of women asking for this service
were satisfied, but the operation of the service would have been much
simplified had there been a sufficient number of part-time home helps
available to meet the sudden increase in demands which occurred
from time to time.
It may be anticipated that the present trend in the birth rate
will reach the peak in 1947, after which the provision of adequate
home and domestic help should be less difficult.
FAMILY PLANNING.
During the year the Corporation made arrangements with the
Carshalton and District Family Planning Association. A few women
24