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160
Geriatric Clinics
During 1965, consideration was given to ways of improving
the local geriatric services, not only with a view to providing
relief for the family doctor but also to introducing further
preventive health services for old people. In deciding to establish
two experimental geriatric clinics, one in the Greenwich area and
one in the Woolwich area, the Council noted that the emphasis
of the work of these clinics would be along the same preventive
lines as in the present infant welfare centres. Elderly persons
would be invited and encouraged to attend the clinics where they
would undergo a simple basic examination to detect disorders of
hearing, vision, anaemia, blood pressure and urinary abnormalities.
An assessment of the hygiene, nutritional and mental condition of
the patient would be made and advice given on any adjustment
in mode of living found to be necessary. Results of investigations
would then be sent to the respective family doctor for his records
and any necessary referrals for medical treatment to be undertaken
by the general practitioner himself.
In no circumstances and indeed it will be no part of the
scheme, for treatment to be given at the clinics where only
apparently healthy persons are to be seen.
Clinics are to be staffed on a sessional basis by doctors
particularly interested in the problem of ageing and, initially, the
sessions will be held once a fortnight.
Full approval of this project has been obtained from the
Minister of Health.
Geriatric Adviser to the Council
In his Circular 10/65, the Minister of Health has pointed out
that, although the various Health and Welfare Services for the
elderly are not under one authority, their purpose is to provide
what is essentially a single service for each individual who needs it.
Reports to the Welfare Committee indicated that, despite
every effort made to the contrary, there is much undiagnosed
illness and undisclosed disability in the elderly.
Although locally the position is improving there were still
a number of elderly found to be in welfare accommodation who
ought to be in receipt of hospital care and, conversely, there were
hospital patients fit for admission to an old people's home.
It was clear that early recognition of changes in the physical
or mental condition of our old folk in the Council's homes would
be most satisfactorily achieved by a doctor responsible both to
the hospital and to the local authority. This desire for a closer
association between the Health and Welfare department and the