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
Hackney 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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89
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
The activities of the Hackney Association for the Welfare of Old People
and the Hackney Association for Workshops for the Elderly are dealt with in the
section of the report relating to the Welfare of Aged Persons, whilst the work
of the Hackney District Nursing Association and the three Tuberculosis Care
Committees is set out elsewhere in this section.
(a) ST. JOSEPH' S HOSPICE. This Home, run by a Catholic Order of Nuns
(Sisters of Charity) is provided for persons in the last stages of illness. Of
the 115 beds, 90 are available to the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board, and 7 beds are reserved for the London County Council. During the year
199 men and 262 women were admitted; there were 393 deaths, and 27 transfers
and discharges took place.
(b) WOMEN' S VOLUNTARY SERVICES. This organisation again provided many
services of very real value to the community, and its activities included the
following.-
Trolley library service at the Hackney Hospital
Tea trolley service at the German Hospital
Visits to patients in Hospital
Assistance to Old Age Pensioners
Assistance to the Blind
Arrangements for assisted holidays for children
and old age pensioners
Escort journeys
Collection and distribution of clothing at home
and abroad for needy persons
(c) ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE The membership of the No. 5 Hackney Ambulance Division remained at 28, the same as the previous year, but more hours of duty were performed, as shown below:-
| Duties | Hours | Total cases treated | Hospital cases | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eton Manor | 19 | 67 | - | - |
| Hackney Marshes | 297 | 1,040 | 225 | 65 |
| Regal Cinema | 113 | 396 | 4 | - |
| Pavilion Cinema | 76 | 266 | _ | - |
| Victoria Park Lido | 10 | 35 | - | - |
| London Fields Lido | 105 | 864 | - | - |
| Clapton Stadium | 221 | 874 | - | - |
| Hambros Bank Sports Ground | 21 | 74 | 8 | 2 |
| Miscellaneous | 167 | 1, 046 | 19 | - |
| 1,029 | 4, 662 | 256 | 67 |
(d) BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY, This Society organised 25 training courses in
First Aid, Nursing and Mothercraft for the general public, schools and persons
in industry. There was an increased demand for escort duties, transfers of
invalids, and for nursing room requisites. Cards in several different
languages including Chinese and Greek, were sent to hospitals Arrangements
were made through the Invalid Travel Section of the Society for a mother to
visit her daughter, who was dangerously ill abroad.
(e) HACKNEY SHOREDITCH, STOKE NEWINGTON AND DISTRICT DIABETIC CLUB, This
Club held meetings each month throughout the year when talks on subjects of
topical interest, and also on those of special medical interest to the Members
"Were given. Various social events were also organised.