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It is clear that the numbers seen in relation to the total elderly population of the Borough have been
small (407 persons examined in the four year period out of a population aged 65 years or over in excess of
28,000), and furthermore it is the impression that the clinics have been failing to reach those most in need
of the service since, by the very nature of their problems, the medically unfit and potentially neglected are
the least likely to attend a clinic. In addition, the fact must be faced that to provide a full routine medical
examination service, with adequate arrangements for follow-up and repeat examinations for the whole of
the age group, would require a very large amount of medical time and it is doubtful whether such a scheme
would be feasible.
GERIATRIC SCREENING
A pilot study for a geriatric screening service to commence in 1972 started in October 1971.
Health/geriatric visitors visited persons in their own homes to carry out a preliminary screening investigation,
referring for medical examination only those whom the results of the screening tests indicate to require this.
There is evidence that the incidence of medical problems begins to rise rapidly once the age of 70 years
has been reached and it was therefore decided, in order to obtain the greatest return for work carried out,
to apply the screening procedure to those aged 70 years and over. The pilot study was nearing completion
at the end of the year.
LAUNDRY SERVICES
The laundry service for incontinent persons (most of them elderly) is provided from Finsbury Health
Centre. During the year 3,219 collections of laundry were made. The service was being provided to about
128 persons at the end of the year.
The Finsbury Laundry Service for the elderly chronic sick was discontinued at the end of the year.
Recipients remaining on the service were asked if they wished to transfer to the incontinent laundry service
and four expressed their willingness to transfer.
BATHING FACILITIES
The services provided from the Finsbury Health Centre continued throughout the year.
5,410 baths were carried out in the homes of elderly persons under the Domiciliary Service.
2,266 baths were given to persons attending the centre, the department's ambulance being used to
assist those unable to travel on their own.
TASK FORCE
Task Force in Islington, which was set up in October, 1965 to encourage and foster voluntary effort
amongst young citizens, continued to operate during 1971 from the Welfare Centre, Corsica Street, N.1.
Their valuable service was again used extensively by officers of my department, in particular, in those
instances where statutory authorities were unable to help.
ISLINGTON CREMATORIUM
The Medical Referees during the year certified 810 applications for cremation at the Council's
Crematorium, East Finchley.
GERIATRIC PREVENTIVE CLINICS
The following table analyses the work of the medical sessions during the first four years of their
operation.
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