View report page

30
It was not found necessary to put the above powers into operation
during the year. A number of cases of persons, mostly of advanced
age, alleged to be living under unsatisfactory conditions, were reported
and investigated. In some of these it was found possible to arrange
voluntary admission to a hospital or other suitable place, and some cases
were still under observation at the end of the year.
Care of Old People.
In an ageing population every endeavour must be made to ensure
that old people receive adequate care. Members of the staff of the
Health Department are well aware of this special need. The Sanitary
Inspectors visit old people and render every assistance within their
power. In cases of neglect, the Inspectors rely upon the use of gentle
persuasion, sympathy and tact rather than the strict enforcement of
statutory obligations. Addresses are noted, with particular reference to
old people who live alone and who are unfortunate in having no
relatives. Visits are repeated whenever the necessity arises.
Problems of extreme difficulty are often set by old persons who
have reached a state of physical and mental deterioration. They neglect
themselves and their homes; their condition is indeed pitiable. Loneliness
breeds degeneration. A great deal can be achieved by visiting old
people in order to prevent the onset of adverse changes. Good neighbours
are always helpful, but a campaign is needed to secure lists of
volunteers who will take responsibility for visiting old people in their
vicinity. In this connection, tribute must be paid to the work of the
Battersea Old People's Welfare Committee, the South London District
Nursing Association, the British Red Cross Society, the Women's
Voluntary Service and the Family Welfare Association. Close liaison
is maintained between the Health Department and these Associations.
Old People's Clubs are extremely active in Battersea and their members
carry out excellent work by helping one another. The meals-on-wheels
service is under the management of the Battersea Old People's Welfare
Committee, and the Council makes an annual grant towards the cost of
this service. Application to the Committee on behalf of an old person
requiring a meal invariably evokes an immediate response.
Invaluable domiciliary services are rendered by the Health Visitors
and Home Helps of the London County Council. In addition, the
London County Council is responsible for welfare homes, and the
Admitting Officers show the utmost consideration in effecting the
admission of old people. As for the care of the aged sick, discussions
are continually held between the medical staff of the Health Department,
general practitioners, and the Medical Superintendent and Geriatric
Specialist of St. John's Hospital, St. John's Hill, S.W.11. Thanks are
due to the Battersea and Putney Group Hospital Management Committee
for reserving beds for the treatment of old people, but there is
always a waiting list owing to the heavy demand for beds.
Much remains to be accomplished despite the gratifying results
which have already emerged from the system of co-ordination between
the Health Department, the London County Council, the Battersea and
Putney Group Hospital Management Committee and the various
voluntary associations. For example, suitable housing is at once the
most pressing requirement and the most difficult to secure.