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Investigation of these cases has involved obtaining detailed information from private medical
practitioners and hospital medical staff and the amount of professional time and effort involved in
this has been very considerable. It is unfortunate that so little has so far been achieved.
Among the difficulties encountered is that of trying to compare different medical conditions
affecting different individuals living in different environments. It is impossible to decide whether
a person with, say, a serious heart condition who has to climb stairs, is more deserving of priority
than a young mother with a serious disability requiring her to have frequent hot baths and a young
family also requiring frequent baths, and who has no bathroom and no convenient water supply.
Both cases, in my opinion, are equally deserving of priority. The best that can be done is to pick
out those cases which obviously would be helped by immediate rehousing and to give themmaximum
points. This is what has been done and beyond that there appears to be no method which permits
of further differentiation of priority.
The position is further complicated because the condition of cases given less than the
maximum points when first considered may deteriorate, in some instances suddenly and unexpecredly,
and as a result at a later date deserve more priority than they were originally granted. Also
new cases of equal severity to some already allotted the maximum points and still awaiting rehousing,
are continually being brought to our notice. The question is how these two categories
are to be fitted into the waiting list.
The problem of medical priority can only be solved by the provision of suitable accommodation
in adequate amount. It should be borne in mind that merely allotting priority and points does not
help the patient in the slightest - they can only be benefited by early rehousing - and unless this
can be done rapidly once the need has been ascertained, the lives of some people will be shortened
and others will deteriorate until when eventually they are rehoused, perhaps after a long delay,
they cannot enjoy full, or even any, benefit from their new accommodation.
Finally, it is a great pleasure to tender my sincere thanks to the Council and Chairman and
and members of the Health Committee for their support and interest in the work of the department.
As always we have readily received every assistance from the other departments of the Council
and I thank my Chief Officer colleagues and their staffs for their willing co-operation. I also
wish to thank my medical colleagues in hospitals, general practice and the L.C.C. Divisional
Office, and also the voluntary organisations who so often play a large part in resolving the human
problems we so frequently encounter.
In conclusion I gratefully acknowledge the loyal assistance given by all members of the
staff of the Health Department at all times.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
H.L.Seule
Medical Officer of Health.
August, 1964.