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93
Local authorities are becoming increasingly responsible for
softening the effects of some of the disadvantages arising as a
result of ageing and, under existing conditions, the public health
department acts as a "clearing house" and there are very few cases
brought to its notice which fail to receive adequate help and
advice. When problems such as mental confusion, incontinence,
lack of medical equipment, nutritional difficulties, etc., reach the
department they are dealt with expeditiously. Cases are
brought to the notice of the department by neighbours, district
nurses, secretaries of Old People's Associations and hospital
almoners and many visits by the Lady Public Health Officers to
old persons result from information supplied by local practitioners.
Relations between the department and other organisations have
always been excellent and co-operation with Dr. Mester and his
Geriatric Unit at St. Alfege's Hospital are close and cordial, all
to the benefit of the elderly infirm patient.
During the year the staff dealing with this aspect of the department was increased and the following is a summary of the work
carried out by the Lady Public Health Officers during 1963:—
No. of Cases on Register at 1st January, 1963 1,841
Cases removed from Register 366
Cases added to Register 612
No. of Cases on Register at 31st December, 1963 2,087
Visits re:—
First 566
Subsequent 7,262
Unsuccessful 886
Rest Homes, Hospitals, etc. 86
Miscellaneous 133
8,933
Attendances at Home Baths 77
Arrangements made for:— (a) Statutory Services 552
(b) Others 934
Interviews at Offices 336
Bathing Centre Sessions 103
No. of Baths:—At Home 2,007
At Centre 1,763
*No. of persons receiving foot treatment 73
‡Chiropody:—No. of Sessions 25
No. of 1st Attendances 99
No. of subsequent Attendances 38
No. of Treatments:—At Home 50
At Centre 87
No. of persons having hair washed 21
No. of articles cleansed 54,696
Attendances at O.P.W. Committee 9
* Males 1,477, Females 2,293 ‡Commenced 19.9.64