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(Heart failure—3 patients; carcinoma of
bronchus—1 patient).
The most significant conclusion to be drawn from these figures
is that 18 patients (27% of total deaths) had disease so far advanced
on diagnosis that no active treatment was possible. Earlier seeking
of medical advice would have saved at least some of these patients.
During the year, 91 patients were recommended for hospital or
sanatorium treatment. There is, unfortunately, a severe shortage
of staff, both nursing and domestic, in these institutions, and there
is, in consequence, a delay before a patient can be admitted. The
waiting time at present is about 4-7 months.
The average length of stay in a sanatorium is about 9-12 months.
On 31st December, 1947, there were 112 patients from Greenwich in
institutions, which are mostly in the Greater London area.
In order to use available resources to give maximum benefit, an
effort has been made to admit acute and treatable cases only.
Chronic and advanced cases have, where possible, been cared for in
their own homes. 23 patients with advanced disease died in their
own homes.
Owing to this shortage of accommodation a number of chronic
cases remain at home. Some of these are able to work, and 6 are
at present employed at a "Remploy" factory, where light work under
ideal conditions is arranged for them. For those unable to work,
full use is made of occupational therapy, in which there is a regular
weekly class of instruction in the Handicraft Centre.