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64
excellent and admirable arrangements are in existence for the treatment
of elderly residents of this Borough. The success of Dr.
Mester's supervision is evidenced by the regular flow of patients to
and from his Geriatric Unit at St. Alfege's Hospital, where, after
discharge patients are seen and followed up at his out-patient clinic.
If found necessary, arrangements are made either for further domestic
help or in certain eventualities for re-admittance.
Problems for the Health Department arise mainly from persons
in Categories (a) and (b) and even here, apart from advice and incidental
help in the social sphere, the Department is little troubled
by those in the former group. It is mainly the elderly and infirm
in group (b) to whom the Lady Sanitary Inspector is compelled to
direct her efforts and attention. These are the people who either
live alone in self-contained units or in sub-let rooms. Such people
are often no more than aged, in need perhaps of a little attention
but outside the scope of the National Assistance Act. Information
regarding their circumstances often reaches the Department via
interested neighbours or from sons or daughters living away from
home who are unable or unwilling to accept further responsibilities.
Great reliance is placed on the Lady Sanitary Inspector by
the elderly of the Borough and the following is a summary of the
work performed by her during the year 1954 :—
No. of dirty premises inspected 40
No. of verminous premises inspected 21
No. of dirty rooms cleansed 60
No. of verminous rooms cleansed 59
No. of verminous persons visited 48
No. of verminous persons treated :—Heads 280
Other 65
No. of visits to scabies cases 17
No. of visits for Laundry Service :—First 20
Subsequent 18
No. of articles laundered (commenced 1.9.1954) 1,229
No. of inspections of factories :—(o) with mechanical power 44
(6) without mechanical power 6
(e) other premises 1
No. of inspections of Outworkers' premises 140
No. of inspections of Houses Let-in-Lodgings 16
No. of inspections of Women's Conveniences 21
No. of Bathing Centre sessions 39
No. of Home baths 28
No. of visits to Infirm Persons 1,619
No. of visits to Rest Homes, Hospitals, etc. 45
No. of Miscellaneous visits 333
No. of re-inspections, calls made, etc. 306
No. of visits, re: housing 27
No. of interviews at offices. 87
No. of complaints received 66
No. of Intimation Notices served Nil