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Ophthalmologist for the certification under the National Assistance Act, 1948, of
blind or partially-sighted persons. Certificates were also accepted from other local
authorities and hospitals. As a result, 79 persons were registered or re-registered
as blind, 32 as partially-sighted and 15 were found to be not blind or partiallysighted.
Nursing Homes
The Department assumed responsibility for the registration and inspection of
nursing homes under Part VI of the Public Health Act, 1936, the Nursing Homes Act,
1936 and Part III of the Mental Health Act, 1959. There were 2 nursing homes in
Islington, both non-profit making and run by charitable organisations. They were inspected
by the Council's medical officers and public health inspectors during the
period 1st April to 31st December, 1965. One home was re-registered to permit the
reception of mentally disordered patients. The accommodation provided at the end of
the period was as shown below.
For medical or For mentally
Chronic sick disordered Total
53 6 59
Emergency Telephone Arrangements
The reorganisation of the London health services meant that it was necessary to
inaugurate for Islington an organisation to receive and deal with the calls arising
at any hour of the day or night to meet the emergency needs of mental health,
domiciliary midwifery, home nursing and infectious disease. During office hours
these were covered by the appropriate professional staff on duty. Out of office hours,
advantage was taken of the Admissions and Doctors Inquiry Service operating from
Whittington Hospital which was extended to take and pass on calls on the Council's
behalf. The scheme was shared financially with the London Boroughs of Camden and
Haringey, and worked very satisfactorily. Special hired car facilities were made
available to midwives and mental welfare officers at night and weekends, when unable
to use their own cars.
72