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129
There would appear to be a conflict in planning for the care of
old people with perhaps too great an emphasis on the provision of
hotel-like Homes admirable for the shelter of the healthy aged and
the moderately infirm person, but hardly suitable, even at this
point in time, for the average candidate for admission.
Few would quarrel with the principle that only people in need
of hospital skills should be maintained in hospital beds, but a line
drawn at this point ignores a tremendous and growing number of
old people who need hours of personal attention if they and their
surroundings are to be kept wholesome and attractive and who exert
even greater demands on staff in the last days or weeks of their lives.
Alternative geriatric facilities are not being developed in sufficient
quantity or with sufficient speed to fill the gap and, strangely,
in this Borough the number of such beds is being reduced.
In the absence of an adequate number of beds in purpose-built
geriatric wards a "Hospital Case Exchange System" is always in
danger of functioning without due regard to the personal feelings
and happiness of the individual.
Admissions—It is the intention that old people shall be supported
by domiciliary services so that, for as long as possible, they
remain part of the general community. Ultimately, admission to a
residential Home, when and if necessary, is then merely a continuation
of care.
The procedure for the consideration and assessment by a
professional panel of all applications or referrals for admission to
Homes has been further developed. The Deputy Medical Officer of
Health aided by the Senior Woman Public Health Officer and the
Senior Social Worker comprise an informed panel particularly able
to decide between degrees of medical and social priority when
dealing with the waiting list. As and when necessary, the Consultant
Geriatrician is invited to join the panel in its deliberations.
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
Sources of Referral No.
Personal Applications (self or relative) 88
Referred by Council Members 3
Referred by Women Public Health Officers 62
Referred by other Council Officers 35
Referred by Hospitals 198
Referred by General Practitioners 43
Miscellaneous 41
470*
* Of these applications, 188 were withdrawn or not proceeded with
before inclusion in the waiting list for admission to a Home,