Reference code: IE LA L LA PH
Extent: 62 Items
Subjects
Public Health Services Pre- 1960
Creator(s)
Limerick City Council
Biographical / Historical Note
The role of Local Authorities in the provision of health services was inherited from the predecessor body the Limerick Union Board of Guardians. The guardians operated under two codes. Firstly, the poor law that regulated the hospitals and dispensaries, and secondly the Public Health Acts that governed sanitary and curative health services. Between 1898 and 1925 the functions of the Limerick Union Board of Guardians were handed over to Limerick. Firstly, under the 1898 Local Government Act, the right to collect poor rates was transferred from the Board of Guardians to the borough and County Council ( See Collection List L/FR/PR ). In addition a new local authority called the Limerick District Mental Hospital Committee was also created (see P33).
Both Limerick Corporation and Limerick County Council contributed the finances to pay for its operations, and its membership consisted of members of both local authorities. An amalgamation scheme to abolish workhouses and replace them with a county home and county hospital in each administrative county had been recommended by the Viceregal Commission of Enquiry (which reported in 1903) and a Royal Commission on the Poor Law (which reported in 1909). This was carried through in 1922 when all the Boards of Guardians in Limerick County were abolished and the county hospital was established in Croom and the county home at Newcastle West for the old and infirm of Limerick County.
The Limerick Union Board of Guardians was also abolished and the rural parts of the old Limerick union situated in Limerick and Clare, were amalgamated into their respective counties. The urban part was put under the jurisdiction of the Borough Council. The workhouse on the Shelbourne Road became the City Home and Hospital. As Limerick Corporation had lost the rate income provided by the rural districts of the former poor law union; there was considerable financial pressure in administering the Poor Law and health services from the urban area poor rate alone. Under the 1925 Local Government Act, the management of the City Home and Hospital, home assistance scheme and other health services for the Limerick county Borough, was transferred to a Board of Health and Public Assistance for Limerick City. This board was to consist of ten members from Limerick Corporation and though it were appointed and financed by the county borough, it was to be independent from the local authority itself.
In 1929, the Board was dissolved and replaced by a commissioner. The commissioner resigned in 1931, due to disputes with the Borough Council over administration and financing of the home assistance scheme and other issues. The Board of Health again took office. Between 1932 and 1933, the numbers of unemployed inLimerickcity receiving financial aid known as home assistance increased significantly. This precipitated a financial crisis in the Limerick county borough Board of Health and Public Assistance, which threatened the financial stability of the parent local authority, Limerick Corporation. This led to the McLysaght Enquiry, and ultimately led to the 1934 Management Act.
Under the 1934 Management Act, the Limerick County Borough Board of Health was abolished and its properties and functions transferred to the Corporation. The Tuberculosis Committee set up under the Acts of 1908 and 1913 was similarly subsumed. This was the first time that the health services were integrated with the municipal authority in Limerick. The health services provided by Limerick Corporation and its’ predecessor bodies were driven by legislative requirements found under the public health acts. They included services relating to the care and treatment of the sick and include functions such as maintenance of hospitals and other health institutions, prevention and control of infectious diseases, safeguarding the health of mothers and children, prevention of danger from food and control of sale of medical and toilet preparations.
The health provisions in the Public Health Acts and other statues were bought together, modernised and incorporated in the Health Act, 1947. This health act also stipulated that 50% of expenditure on health be provided by central government in the form of grants to local bodies. Administration of the public health acts, which had related specifically to sanitation services, became part of the Local Government (Sanitary Services)
The Health Act of 1953 transferred the county and district hospital and dispensaries to the health authorities and detached from the public assistance scheme the treatment of the sick. In 1960, the Limerick Health Authority was established to administer the health services of both city and county, and all of the functions of the Limerick Mental Hospital Board, which was abolished. Thus the health system for Limerick City was no longer absorbed by the Corporation.
Adminstrative Information
Access Restrictions: Some material referring to boarded out children can only be viewed in original format and on written application
Use Restrictions: N.A.
Related Materials:
P5BedfordRow Lying In Hospital; P33LimerickDistrictMental Hospital;L/CS City Surveyors Officer; LK/AH/PH Board of Health and Public Assistance forCountyLimerick;BG/100Board of Guardians, LimerickUnion;L/SMIN Special Collection Minute Books ; L/FM Financial Management Pre-1934; L/HG Housing
Publications: Matthew Potter, The Government and People of Limerick
Collection Content
Medical Superintendent Officer of Health Annual Reports 1912-1938
Printed Annual Reports on the health and sanitary condition of the City ofLimerick, submitted by the medical superintendent officer of health.
Reports include list of members of the public health committee, and of officers of the public health committee; vital statistics relating to population of Limerick; statistics on infectious diseases such as scarlatina, enteric fever, diphtheria, and consumption; report of the Sanatorium Benefits under the Insurance Act which include a tuberculosis dispensary, domiciliary treatment and provision of beds in a Sanatorium, report on disinfection of streets and houses; statistics on sanitary work carried out; reports on housing of the working classes; reports on meals for school children, water supply, baths and wash houses, public conveniences, bakehouses, slaughter houses, offensive trades, common lodging houses, ambulance calls, orders under the Tuberculosis (Ireland) Order 1913, and weather statistics.
Individuals who held the position of Medical Superintendent Officer of Health include Michael S. McGrath (1912-1929), T.W. Moran (1931-1933; 1935), H. G Roche-Kelly (1934), and James McPolin (1935).
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/10. 1912
- 1912
- Extent: 17pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/11. 1913
- 1913
- Extent: 19pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/12. 1914
- 1914
- Extent: 18pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/13. 1915
- 1915
- Extent: 18pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/23. 1925
- 1925
- Extent: 15pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/24. 1926
- 1926
- Extent: 16pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/27. 1929
- 1929
- Extent: 8pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/29. 1931
- 1931
- Extent: 8pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/30. 1932
- 1932
- Extent: 18pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/31. 1933
- 1933
- Extent: 25pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/32. 1934
- 1934
- Extent: 13pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/33. 1935
- 1935
- Extent: 17pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/1/36. 1.07
- 1938
- Extent: 37pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
B. Management of County Borough Health Services Pre 1934
(i) Public Health Committee (1910-1911)
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/2/1. 12 January 1910-29 December 1911
File of letters and reports submitted to the Public Health Committee, arranged by date at which matter was discussed at Committee meeting (See L/SMIN 8/1-10). Includes reports from the Medial Superintendent Officer of Health regarding number of infectious disease cases in Limerick; includes reports from Sanitary Inspectors regarding inspection of various Common Lodging Houses, inspection of suppliers of food produce and inspection of Theatre Royal and National Theatre; includes letters from individuals regarding notices served upon them to provide sanitary facilities in their property; includes reports and letters of complaints submitted by individuals and groups regarding public health matters or sanitary conditions; includes Medical Officer Returns for Half Year. Includes letters with comments such as ‘I beg to draw your attention to the unhealthy, unwholesome and unsanitary conditions of the Marine Store held by a man named Cropman (letter from Andrew Lee, 9 March 1911); Includes comments in reports such as ‘The inspectors beg to report that we visited at intervals the following registered Common Lodging Houses …during the month of November. We found them clean and well kept (28 November 1911) and ‘I am pleased to report that Scarlatina has not been so prevalent in the city for the past two weeks.’ (Report of M.S McGrath, M.S.O.H, 23 August 1911).
Extent: c. 300pp
Access Rules: N.A.
(ii) Commissioner of Public Health (1930)
Extent: c. 200 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
(iii) Sanctions for the Department of Local Government (1923-1932)
- 27 January 1923-29 July 1927.
- Extent: c. 120pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 6 January 1928-21 December 1929
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 9 January 1929-3 December 1929
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 12 December 1929-22 December 1932
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 4 January 1932-31 December 1932
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
C.Administration of the City Home and Hospital 1923-1970
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/5. 24 July 1923-3 April 1924
Extent: c. 200pp
Access Rules: N.A.
(ii) Tender Books and Correspondence (1935-1939)
Volumes consisting of tenders and estimates for various medical equipment, surgical equipment, food supplies, furniture, building repair and improvement work, coal, printing requirements, and other goods and services required by the City Home and Hospital. Estimates generally addressed to the Limerick City Manager, or the secretary of the Limerick City Home and Hospital. Includes also applications for position of stocktaker at the City Home and Hospital and completed General Forms of Tender whereby suppliers describes articles to be supplied, price per arcticle, and quantities.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/6/1. 28 February 1935- 18 September 1936
- 28 February 1935- 18 September 1936
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 22 September 1936- 9 March 1938
- Extent: c. 160pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
- 29 June 1938-13 December 1939
- Extent: c. 15 Items
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/7. 29 January 1950-26 September 1950
- 29 January 1950-26 September 1950
- Extent: c. 15 Items
- Access Rules: N.A.
D. County Borough Health Schemes (1910-1970)
(i) Tuberculosis Schemes 1910-1958
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/9/1. 1909-1914
Extent: 10pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/9/2. 15 April 1941-26 September 1942
Extent: 27pp
Access Rules: N.A.
Extent: c. 25pp
Access Rules: N.A.
Extent: c. 50pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/9/5. 23 September 1948-9 May 1950
Extent: c. 35pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/9/6. 24 June 1948-17 December 1955
Extent: c. 70pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/9/8. 29 January 1955-18 August 1958
Extent: c. 25pp
Access Rules: N.A.
(ii) Diphtheria Scheme (1922-1947)
Extent: c. 150pp
Access Rules: N.A.
(iii) Venereal Disease (1934-1954)
Extent: c. 100pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/11/2. 31 March 1934- 27 September 1951
Extent: c. 100pp
Access Rules: N.A.
Extent: 10pp
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(v) Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme
Extent: c. 70pp
Access Rules: N.A.
Extent: 75pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/16/1. 30 July 1909- 20 June 1935
Extent: 7 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/16/2. 9 September 1931- 15 April 1936
Extent: 40pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/16/3. 22 July 1935-19 August 1935
Extent: 6pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/16/4. 29 August 1931-20 January 1938
Extent: 13pp
Access Rules: N.A.
E. Other Medical Institutions funded by Limerick County Borough
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/17/. 27 February 1929-18 August 1949
File of correspondence between the city manager, Barrington’s Hospital, Bedford Row Hospital and St. John’s Hospitals relating to payment of annual Limerick Corporation grants to the hospitals, annual accounts of the hospitals, and the appointment of councillors and the city mayor to the Board of Governors or Managing Committee of the three hospitals to represent the City Council. Includes certificate of application for grant of St. John’s Hospital stating number of patients relieved in previous year and Accounts of Income and Expenditure for said year (1934-1948) and printed annual report for 1929, 1938, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947 and 1948. Includes printed Annual Accounts of Bedford Row Hospital for 1927, 1928, 1943, 1947, 1948. Includes printed Annual Report for Barrington’s Hospital and City of Limerick Infirmary (1944); Includes letter from Honorary Medical Secretary of Barrington’s Hospital appealing for their annual grant to be ‘substantially increased’ (26 February 1943). Includes correspondence regarding appeal to the Electricity Supply Board to strike a reduced rate for charitable institutions (1947)
Extent: c. 150 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/17/2. 15 July 1949-31 December 1957
File of correspondence between the city manager, Barrington’s Hospital, Bedford Row Hospital and St. John’s Hospitals relating to payment of annual Corporation Grants to the hospitals and to the appointment of councillors and the city mayor to the Board of Governors or Managing Committee of the three hospitals to represent the City Council. Includes also copies of manager’s orders appointing councillors to the Boards. Includes correspondence regarding the delay in payment of St. John’s Hospital and Barrington’s Hospital due to the refusal of the Boards to pay rates on the hospital (1952). Includes certificate of application for grant of St. John’s Hospital stating number of patients relieved in previous year and Accounts of Income and Expenditure for said year (1949-1950) and printed annual report for 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955-1957). Includes printed Annual Accounts of Bedford Row Hospital (1950, 1953, 1955 and 1956). Includes printed Annual Report for Barrington’s Hospital and City of Limerick Infirmary (1957);
Extent: c. 40pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/17/3. (1811-) 19 October 1932-21 March 1952
Extent: c. 30 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
(ii) Limerick District Mental Hospital (1943-1944)
Limerick District Mental Hospital Abstract of Accounts for various years ended 31 March.
Abstract list of receipts such as ‘paying patients’ and ‘sales of offal and old stores’ and expenditure such as ‘salaries and wages’ and ‘clothing and bedding’.
Also included is details of apportionment of expenses to the county borough of Limerick and to the County Council; statement of receipt and expenditure on capital moneys; statement of indebtedness on foot of loans; statement of capital debt; statement of balances at close of year; statement of cash assets and liabilities; and statement of average costs of the institution.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/18/1. 31 March 1943
- 31 March 1943
- Extent: 9pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/18/2. 31 March 1944
- 31 March 1944
- Extent: 9pp
- Access Rules: N.A.
F. Joint Committees with Limerick County Board of Health and Public Assistance (1936-1956)
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/19/1. 1 May 1936
Extent: 4 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/19/2. 29 October 1937-23 August 1939
Extent: c. 20 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/19/3. 1936-1939
Extent: c. 40 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/20/1. June 1947
File relating to proposals by Limerick City Council to establish a joint public assistance authority for the county borough of Limerick, county of Limerick and county of Clare contiguous to the city of Limerick. Includes letter to the Minister for Health from M. O’Maicin (city manager) regarding the development of public health services in Limerick since 1921, existing services, and the benefits of a joint public assistance authority (4 July 1947). Includes also notes relating to drafting of letter; table showing summary of Mental Hospital Committee demands (1935-1947); letters from the District Mental Hospital, Limerick regarding stoppage of pension and health insurance payments to inmates.
Extent: 30 pp
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/20/2. 1947-1950
Extent: 3 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/21/1. 1952-1953
Extent: c. 10 Items
Access Rules: N.A.
PDF File: L/AH/PH/1/21/3. 16 February 1956-13 April 1956
Extent: 13 pp
Access Rules: N.A.