View report page

120
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. R. V. Boyd 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 1964:—
No. of cases on Register at 1st January, 1964 2,087
Cases removed from Register 381
Cases added to Register 643
No. of Cases on Register at 31st December, 1964 2,349
Visits re:—
First 571
Subsequent 7,835
Unsuccessful 997
Rest Homes, Hospitals, etc. 96
Miscellaneous 151
9,650
Attendances at Home Baths 5
Arrangements made for:—(a) Statutory Services 408
(b) Others 737
Interviews at Offices 317
No. of visits for Holidays—General 287
Special 151
Bathing Centre Sessions 106
*No. of Baths:—At Home 2,620
At Centre 1,892
No. of persons receiving foot treatment 82
Chiropody:—No. of Sessions 104
No. of 1st Attendances 90
No. of subsequent Attendances 619
No. of Treatments:—At Home 317
At Centre 392
No. of persons having hair washed 8
No. of articles cleansed 63,191
Attendances at O.P.W. Committee 9
*Males 1,682, Females 2,830