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best interests. This assessment is normally undertaken by the
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, the Senior Health Officer and
the Senior Social Welfare Officer. The system ensures that the
medical, nursing and social aspects of each person are thoroughly
investigated. Moreover, those who are placed on the waiting lists
are revisited, their cases reviewed from time to time and active
measures are taken to ameliorate their circumstances, e.g., mealson-wheels,
home help, domiciliary bathing, home nursing service,
etc.
The sources of referral of those ultimately placed on the
waiting list are given in the following table :—
Applications for Accommodation in Old People's Homes

Visiting Medical Officers—Residents in Old People's Homes
are, of course, entitled to remain on the list of a General Practitioner
of their own choice but in almost all cases they prefer to
avail themselves of the services of the Visiting Medical Officer
appointed to the Home. This officer is a local general practitiorier.
Welfare and Recreation—Apart from normal attention to
well-being, matrons and staffs in Old People's Homes endeavour
to take an active interest in each of the residents and it is the
policy of the Council to provide recreational and occupational
facilities. Residents who wish to and are able to do so may
undertake regular light tasks in return for which small monetary
payments are made.
A handicraft instructress attends each Home on one day a
week and knitting, embroidery and other hand-work completed by
residents is sold in aid of the Comforts Fund which is used to
provide additional amenities.
During winter months film shows are provided fortniahtly
and, in addition, voluntary concert parties and other entertainers
give performances. An 'Olde Tyme' dancing group have arranged
occasional dances at the Homes. Voluntary visiting at all reasonable
hours is encouraged as is every contact with the local