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185
Geriatric Advisory Clinics
These Clinics, which commenced in June, 1966, continued to
operate at the following six centres:—
Charlton Lane Centre,
Market Street Centre,
Avery Hill Centre,
Garland Road Centre,
Abbey Centre,
Directorate H.Q.'s Medical Room.
Attendances at these Clinics varied widely from centre to centre
but the greatest number were seen at the Abbey Centre.

At these Clinics old people who had not seen their General
Practitioners for some time were given a general medical examination,
which included visual and hearing tests, examination of
blood pressure and the testing of urine.
Some 21 (19.9%) of the total numbers seen at these Clinics were
found to be fit. Amongst them was a 90-year old gentleman, who
lived an active life, travelling all over the country organising
athletic meetings. The remaining 74 required some advice or were
referred for treatment.
Advice most frequently required was regarding diet as the old
people consumed a large amount of carbohydrate foods and comparatively
little of the more expensive protein foods. One old lady
ate bread with a little gravy while she gave all the meat she cooked
to her cat. Nine old people were found to be grossly overweight
and were advised regarding a correct diet. Those who were constipated
were told how to use dietary measures to control this. Two
had clinical evidence of vitamin B deficiency and one was severely
undernourished. Three were referred, because of social as well as
nutritional reasons, to luncheon clubs run by the Borough.
Those who required treatment were referred to their General
Practitioner, to a Dentist or a Chiropodist.
Referrals from Geriatric Clinics
General Practitioner 25
Dentist 3
Chiropodist 1