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Dr. D.E. Sharland, Consultant Geriatrician at Whittington Hospital, who kindly volunteered his
services for this work at the inauguration of the clinics, continued to attend at six-monthly intervals, both
at Drayton Park and Blythe Mansions, for the purpose of following up the cases originally seen by him.
Dr. J.E. Hurman, Principal Medical Officer, carried out clinics at Drayton Park and Blythe Mansions
on the basis of one session per week, clinics being held at either centre, depending on the waiting list.
Applications were received direct from some pensioners, others were referred by the area visitor,
their general practitioner, etc. The health education sessions, set up in September 1967 at each of the
clinics, assisted in no small measure in encouraging the elderly to attend for medical examination. A total of
63 applications was received during the year, 17 subsequently withdrawing their requests for a variety of
reasons.
When a request is received for an appointment at one of the clinics, the medical practitioner is informed
and invited to submit details of any relevant medical history which may be of interest to the examining
medical officer. At the examination the patient is interviewed and medical and social history forms are
completed. A medical examination is then carried out and tests for audiometry, chest x-ray, and haemoglobin,
are arranged, if required. In all cases the medical practitioner is given a full report on the examination.
Facilities for chiropody are conveniently available in premises adjoining the three clinics, and any chest x-rays
are carried out at Drayton Park (patients from Pine Street and Blythe Mansions being taken by transport if
necessary.)
LAUNDRY SERVICES
The laundry service for incontinent persons (most of them elderly) was provided from the Treatment
Centre at Seven Sisters Road, until October, and then from the Finsbury Health Centre. During the year
4,380 collections of laundry were made (involving 43,766 articles). The service was being provided to about
144 persons at the end of the year.
The Finsbury Laundry Service for elderly chronic sick was continued throughout the year. As
instructed by the Council, no new cases were added to this service, and the number of recipients fell from
19 at the commencement of the year, to 15 at the end of the year, 392 parcels of laundry were collected
during the twelve months under review.
BATHING FACILITIES
The services provided from the treatment centre, Seven Sisters Road, and from the Finsbury Health
Centre continued throughout the year.
5,675 baths were carried out in the homes of elderly persons under the Domiciliary Service.
1,778 baths were given to persons attending the two centres, the department's ambulance being used
to assist those unable to travel on their own.
TASK FORCE
The local office of Task Force (an organisation set up to encourage and foster voluntary effort among
the young citizens) was opened in September 1965. Their work continued during 1969 and many cases were
referred to them.
I should again like to place on record my sincere thanks for the sterling work that is being undertaken
by this organisation and I know that I am also speaking for the elderly people of the Borough when I say
that it is very much appreciated.
ISLINGTON CREMATORIUM
The Medical Referees during the year certified 784 applications for cremation at the Council's
Crematorium, East Finchley.
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