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46
Miscellaneous Matters.
Conferences.
The Council were officially represented at the undermentioned
Conferences dealing with matters within the purview of the Public
Health Department.
Conference
Central Council for Health
Education, London—22nd
January.
Royal Society of Health,
Harrogate—27th April to
1st May.
Association of Public Health
Inspectors, Margate—15th
to 18th September.
National Society for Clean
Air, London — 20th to
23rd October.
Delegates.
Cllr. Mrs. E. A. Cooper, J.P-
Cllr. Miss E. A. Coles, J.P-, and
the Medical Officer of Health
Cllr. Mrs. C. M. Davis and the
Deputy Chief Public Health
Inspector.
Cllr. Mrs. E. A. Cooper, J.P.,
and Mr. I. R. Lewis, Factories
and Workshops Inspector.
Care of the Aged.
Health and Social problems arising in the elderly have been referred
to the Public Health Department from many sources in the past year.
The aim has been, wherever possible, to prevent physical deterioration
and breakdown by the support of social agencies. This requires
the full co-operation of the old person concerned, and where this
cannot be obtained, the means of helping are severely limited.
For those not requiring nursing, admission to an Old Persons'
Home is sought through the Welfare Department of the London County
Council. Many such cases have been admitted during the past year.
Where hospital treatment is indicated, full co-operation and assistance
have been available from local hospitals. Many patients after a
spell in hospital recover sufficiently to justify discharge home, where
they are assisted by statutory and voluntary bodies.
When all other measures have failed, compulsory removal under
the National Assistance Acts has to be considered as a last but necessary
step to be taken in the best interests of the old person.
In all these approaches to the problem, very close integration is
needed with the relatives of old persons, general practitioners and
hospitals.
Use of Slipper Baths by Old Age Pensioners.
The Council make available to old age pensioners free use of the
slipper baths at their Baths Establishments (with use of a towel) on
production of their pension books. This facility has also been extended
to blind persons.