[Report 1973] / Medical Officer of Health, Minehead U.D.C.

  • Minehead (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1973
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1973] / Medical Officer of Health, Minehead U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    There were several episodes of infectious disease during the year. A local government employee from South Wales and his wife arrived in Minehead one evening while on a touring holiday. They both became ill in the early hours of the following morning as the result of a salmonella haifa infection. After considerable efforts, the source of their ilness was traced to a food demonstra¬ tion stand at the Bristol '600* Exhibition. This discovery was helpful in elucidating the pattern of an outbreak of the infection in Bristol. An employee in a food shop developed a .rare variety of salmonella infection. None of the other employees were affected and all of them were •cleared’ after bateriological screening. Much time was devoted to trying to trace the source of the infection with no success. There was a small outbreak of food poisoning at the holiday camp in the summer. The camp authorities were very cooperative as were the camp staff. It was possible to trace the episode to a particular batch of turkey meat. Measures were adopted to prevent a recurrence. GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE DISTRICT Health Visiting, Home Nursing and Midwives These services are provided by the Somerset County Council. The Home Help Service This is the responsibility of the County Social Services Department. Hospitals The Minehead and West Somerset Hospital is managed by the West Somerset Hospital Management Committee. The Hospital provides medical, surgical and casualty treatment and out-patient clinics. A Somerset County Family Planning Clinic is held at the Hospital. Health and Dental Clinic These are provided by the Somerset County Council at 54 Summerland Avenue, Minehead. Nursing Home There are two nursing homes in the district which are registered for 15 patients and 14 patients respectively. Ambulance Facilities This service is provided by the Somerset County Council with ambulances stationed at Minehead. Old Persons Homes Wyndham House, Martlet Road, which has 33 beds, is maintained by the Somerset County Council’s Social Services Department. There are seven private residential homes for the aged with 95 beds. Fifty-one old persons dwellings with Warden accommodation are provided by the Council with grant aid from the Somerset County Council. /HYGIENE