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SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
VISITS BV MEDICAL OFFICERS
Nine visits to elderly persons were made by senior medical staff of the department at the
request of general practitioners, home visitors, etc. in circumstances where it was felt action
might be necessary under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. One case was dealt
with under Section 47; and two persons subsequently agreed to be admitted to hospital or a
welfare home to receive care and attention.
HOME VISITING
The Council employed three home visitors (S.R.N.) and four assistant home visitors to
visit elderly persons in the Borough. In addition visiting was also carried out by a home
visitor who is also the nurse-in-charge of the bathing and treatment centre at the Finsbury
Health Centre.
DECENTRALISATION
The decentralisation of the home visitors was completed in March, 1968, when the
remaining staff at headquarters were transferred to the Barnsbury, Hilldrop and Clephane Road
Welfare Centres.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 & 1951 SECTION 47 REMOVALS
One elderly person was removed to hospital during the year, under the provisions of
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, which enables the Council to obtain orders for
the compulsory removal of patients in accordance with certain specified circumstances. The
elderly person subsequently died.
SPECIAL CLEANSING
From time to time it was found that property occupied by elderly or infirm persons was
in such a filthy, verminous or insanitary condition as to warrant special cleansing by the
Council's Health Department prior to the introduction of home help and other services.
Nineteen such cases, reported by the public health inspectors, home visitors, hospital
authorities, etc, were dealt with during the year,
MEAL SERVICES
At the commencement of 1968, eight vans were operating the Meals on Wheels Service, and
five vans the Invalid Meals Service, throughout the Borough. As the need for "Meals on Wheels'
consistently increased, and requests fordietary meals dropped slightly, careful consideration
was given to the re-organisation of both services in order to provide a more economic service.
Following reports to Committee, the Invalid Meals vans were re-equipped with movable
hotlocks, instead of the existing fixed type; areas for both services were re-routed; the
helpers hours were increased by & an hour per day; and one of the Invalid Meals vans was
transferred to the Meals on Wheels Service. These alterations were commenced in September
1968, and enabled the combined services to serve up to 100 extra meals a day, without the
purchase of an additional vehicle or the employment of extra staff.