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It is of obvious importance that the closest consultation must
be maintained by the department with specialists in the clinical
field and with experts in physical medicine and orthopaedics, in
order that the most modern advances in therapeutics and rehabilitation
can be given due weight. Decisions as to aids, adaptations,
general community welfare and possible employment cannot be
taken in a vacuum and everyone who has a contribution to make
should be invited to participate. It is hoped that arrangements can
be made in the future for social welfare officers to have access to
the local hospital departments of physical medicine, orthopaedics
neurology and cardiology, so that the needs of patients about to
be discharged into the community may be discussed with the
hospital authorities. In this way preparations can be made in
advance of a patient's discharge from hospital, thus enabling much
to be done locally to make the handicap more acceptable. Of
course, it is appreciated that, at the moment, the majority of cases
coming to the notice of the department and those already on our
register of handicapped persons have well established handicaps,
many of which are either static or becoming progressively more
severe. However, this should not deter us from taking a preventive
attitude wherever possible and a patient being discharged from
hospital with a residual disability gives the department an opportunity
of being involved at an early and formative stage, so that
even the patient's attitude towards his own disability can be
influenced to his benefit. In certain circumstances this could very
well involve the department's mental health team.
The welfare services for the handicapped can be seen to have
great possibilities if they are organized on dynamic and cooperative
lines and not on static departmental introspection. Such
an attitude requires the participation and ready good will of all
engaged in this work and this we hope to achieve in the coming
years.
Clubs and Centres
Two centres and a number of clubs are organised for the blind
and other handicapped persons with the object of ensuring, as far
as is practicable, the intermingling of persons with differing handicaps.
These establishments provide members with facilities not
only for training and adjustment but also for pastime activities,
handicrafts, etc., and with opportunities for social contact with
others of similar disability and with similar interests. In this way,
the clubs make an invaluable contribution towards the social
rehabilitation of members. Tuition and help in diversionary occupation
is provided for those unable to enjoy these benefits.