View report page

15
Preliminary arrangements were also made to arrange a joint
meeting with headmasters, education officers and the school medical
officers to further health propaganda in the schools in the borough.
It may also be said that the character of the Health Centre
building which houses the Public Health Department was designed
to inspire the conception of Health among the many members of the
Public who use it for one purpose or another.
Aged Persons.
The Council continued its very active interest in the Health
and Welfare of that section of the community comprised of men over
65 and women over 60.
Those known to the department were visited regularly according
as their needs were known and every effort was made to give them
help and encouragement in looking after themselves.
Arrangements remained in force for providing nursing services
through the Metropolitan District Nursing Association where these
are certified on behalf of the Council as being required. 7,395 visits
were paid in this connection during the year. The number of visits
paid for 1949 being 1,487.
Difficulties frequently arose owing to the shortage of hospital
accommodation in securing admission to an institution when
proper care was not obtainable at home. This caused many distressing
circumstances to arise as many old persons live alone and have
no one to care for them in the event of illness. There is an urgent
need for the provision of sick bays where such persons may stay
for short periods to receive attention during minor illnesses as well
as for further hospital provision for more serious cases. Were
this available I believe many persons would be saved from permanent
sickness which results partly from failure to have proper
care in the early stages of diseases such as Acute Bronchitis and
Influenza.
It was not found necessary to make any application under the
National Assistance Act for compulsory removal during the year.
The Council encouraged all Voluntary Organisations in the
Borough to extend the services for meals and recreation. Grants