London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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157
This centre also has the services of a handicrafts Instructress
supplied by the Inner London Education Authority.
By early 1969, all the handicapped persons attending this Centre
were transferred to the recently established Combined Centres
where better facilities exist and where more economical use is
made of the available staff.
Eltham Club
Primarily for registered blind persons, this club meets each
Monday afternoon in the Sherard Hall at Eltham. During the
year, the average attendance was 18.
Minor Hall, Greenwich
This club is for persons who are blind or deaf and meetings are
held every Thursday afternoon. The average attendance during
the year was 23.
Works of Access and Adaptation
The Council may accept financial responsibility for works of
access and adaptation which are necessary to enable a handicapped
person to overcome the effects of his disability. During the year
a total of 72 persons benefited from a variety of works, including
the provision of hand-rails, grab-rails, ramps, etc.
Although each person was assessed to contribute towards the
cost of the work, according to his means, in the majority of cases
little or no charge was made.
Adaptation for Kidney Machine
Following last year's arrangements by this Council for the installation
of a home kidney dialysis machine the current year saw
a further two referrals, one from Guy's Hospital and one from the
Royal Free Hospital. All the required adaptations were carried
out by the Council under powers contained in Section 28 of the
National Health Service Act, 1948, and the machines were
successfully installed.
Loan of Equipment
The scheme for the loan of nursing and sick-room aids,
including aids and gadgets for handicapped and elderly persons,
continued to expand during the year. Such equipment is provided
on free loan at the request of the Family Doctor, District Nurse,
Medical Social Worker, Health Visitor, Old People's Visitor, etc.
Total issues during the year numbered 2,821 as compared with
2,434 during the previous year which represents an increase of
almost 16 per cent. The following table shows particulars of these
loans.