London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Recruitment of suitable women for this work is not easy, and there is considerable fluctuation in
numbers employed during the year in each of the areas.
| 65 or over on first visit in 1970 | Under 65 on first visit in 1970 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic sick & Tuberculous | Mentally Disordered | Maternity | Other | Total | ||
| Cases 1970 | 2,236 | 133 | 8 | 24 | 185 | 2.586 |
| (1969) | (2,252) | (130) | (5) | (34) | (196) | (2,617) |
Home Helps employed at end of 1970 (whole-time equivalent): 151.5 (135.5).
SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
VISITS BY MEDICAL OFFICERS
Seventeen 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 compulsory removal to hospital
might be necessary under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. Two cases were dealt with under
Section 47, and three persons subsequently agreed to be admitted to hospital or a welfare home to receive
care and attention.
HOME VISITING
As trained nurses the home visitors for the aged are able to work as a team with the health visitors.
Health visitors visit some of the old people in the Borough, but the home visitors carry out the bulk of
the home visiting to the aged. During their visits the visitors attempt to prevent infirmities and deterioration
in physical health and to give encouragement and advice on diet, hygiene and general care. They may
provide help in the home and also meals on wheels. The visitors are vigilant with regard to the prevention of
home accidents, many of the aged live in conditions of high risk; most fatal accidents in the home occur in
people 65 years old and over.
The elderly living alone particularly appreciate the visits by the home visitors for the aged, who
frequently are their only link with the outside world. As we live in a time of ageing population the case
loads of the home visitors are very high and visits cannot be paid at the frequency we would like to achieve.
Statistics of geriatric visiting for the year are as follows:
| New cases | Re-visits | Unsuccessful visits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,256 | 10,882 | 2,580 | 14,718 |
SPECIAL CLEANSING
From time to time it was found that property occupied by elderly or infirm persons was in such an
unclean, verminous or insanitary condition as to warrant special cleansing by the 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.
MEALS
During 1970 the meals services continued in accordance with the re-organisation, i.e. ten vans were
operating Meals on Wheels, and four vans Invalid Meals.
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