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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENTS.
The number of mothers confined in Surrey County Council hospitals during the year was as set out below:—
| St. Helier County Hospital | 137 |
| St. Luke's County Hospital (Guildford) | 13 |
| Epsom County Hospital | 4 |
| 154 |
Sixty-four patients were delivered under private arrangements at the
Carshalton, Beddington and Wallington District (War Memorial)
Hospital.
Some difficulty continues to be experienced in making adequate
provision for institutional confinements. No urgent or necessitous case
was, however, refused institutional confinement, admission to one or
other of the County hospitals being satisfactorily arranged. There is
still an acute shortage of domestic and nursing staff in the County
Council's hospitals, and although war damage repairs have in most
hospitals now been satisfactorily completed, many beds remain unstaffed.
HOME HELP AND DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
The services of four full-time paid helpers were utilised throughout
| Home Help. | Domestic Help. | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 54 | 17 |
| Part-time | 22 | 17 |
| 76 | 34 |
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 over-emphasised.
Requests for service were for the most part satisfied, but difficulty is still
experienced in obtaining the right type of woman for this job.
FAMILY PLANNING
During the year the Corporation made arrangements with the
Carshalton and District Family Planning Association. A few women
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