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61
Venereal Disease—Publicity Campaign.
As in previous years, the Ministry of Health requested the assistance of Local
Authorities in the distribution and display of posters in connection with the
Venereal Disease Publicity Campaign, and in compliance, it was arranged for 1,000
copies of the posters to be supplied and overprinted by the L.C.C. with the addresses
of the nearest clinics to Islington. The posters were then distributed for display,
not only in the Council's public conveniences, but also to the Managers of all Public
Houses in the Borough, with a request that they be displayed in the conveniences
attached to their premises.
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS
The Department's work in connection with elderly persons continued during
the year. As mentioned in my Report for last year, there are approximately 26,000
persons over the age of 65 residing in the Borough, and several thousands of them
are living alone. It is not surprising, therefore, that difficult circumstances arise from
time to time when there is nO'One to care for these old folk, and in many cases the
Old People's Health Officer, assisted on a part-time basis by other staff, has been
able to help, either directly through Borough Council sponsored services, or by
reference to the various Authorities and voluntary organisations concerned with the
care of the aged.
It was reported in the local Press that a man of 76 was the subject of an
inquest, having died from shock and burns. This man's clothing had caught fire,
but there was nothing to indicate the cause, although a slightly burned armchair was
found about four feet from the fireplace. This man had been visited by the Department's
Officers on several occasions, and a ' Home-help ' and ' Meals-on-Wheels'
had been arranged for him. Although enfeebled, he was not entirely incapacitated
and was living on his own. This unfortunate case is illustrative of the difficulites,
and risks run by many solitary old persons who have increasing trouble in caring
for themselves.
The Health Officer and her assistant visited 384 new cases during the year,
and re-visits totalled 2,889. Twelve cases were dealt with under the National
Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951, and these are described on pages 63-67.
1,501 references were made to other Authorities and to voluntary organisations
in connection with the provision of ' Home-helps,' National Assistance, ' Meals-onWheels,'
etc.
The Health Officer maintains close touch with the London County Council
Divisional Staff, especially in respect of Home-help assistance, with the National
Assistance Board, with the Duly Authorised Officer of the London County Council,
with the Welfare Officer at " Hillside," as may be appropriate. She also attends
meetings of voluntary committees connected with the welfare of the old persons,
old persons clubs, etc., and is steadily building up a valuable register of old persons
dealt with through the Department.
National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951—Section 47.
Authority for proceedings under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, was obtained during the year from the Public Health Committee in two cases,
one of which had already been removed to Hospital under emergency proceedings
for a period not exceeding three weeks, and the other was also the subject of the
proceedings under Section 47(4) mentioned below. Orders were made following
Court proceedings.