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3. Accidents of labour.
4. Placental insufficiency and prematurity without obvious cause.
Social factors are of particular importance, in this survey, in relation
to categories 2 and 4. Social changes in the borough have been very
considerable in the past few years and it is considered that these alone
could be responsible for much of the rise in perinatal deaths. As a result
of the findings in the first year of the survey certain decisions have already
been taken which it is hoped may cut the incidence of deaths due to
toxaemia of pregnancy.
It is hoped to have complete results available early in I960.
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
In spite of all the services, voluntary and official, provided to help old
people there are still cases which are referred to the Borough Health Department
as being in need of care and attention. Each case is investigated and
reviewed at intervals and an attempt is made to ensure that every assistance
available is, in fact, being given. During 1958 the number of new
cases referred to the department was lower than has been usual in recent
years, 27 being investigated.
Old people are happiest in their own homes and it must be agreed
they should be enabled to continue there as long as possible. In a surprisingly
large number of cases householders or other tenants in the same
house give a very great deal of help to aged people, and without their
help many more would need accommodation in Old People's Homes.
One sometimes hears that the younger generation today do not take
the same care of the old people as they used to in the past; there appears
to be no foundation for this comment. The community certainly takes
more care of the aged people than has ever been the case in the history
of the country, but critics sometimes do not realise that two out of three
old people in hospital are widowed, divorced or unmarried. It is mainly
the "single" old people who present the problems. The long term
solution then is through the preventive health services, although there
will always be great scope for voluntary services to fill the gaps in official
action; and as has so frequently been the pattern in the past, showing the
way to the solution of many of the difficulties not previously tackled.
Persuading old people to make themselves known is always difficult.
When investigations are made, after reports from neighbours, old people
will often assert that they were not aware of the services available. This is
true in many instances, but it is equally true that old people in genuine
need often isolate themselves deliberately and will not come forward to
seek the aid of services even when they know of their existence.
Hornsey is fortunate in having a very active Old People's Welfare
Council with an energetic and keen team of workers under the leadership
of Mrs. Adams. The "Meals on Wheels" service organised by the Women's
Voluntary Service is also of great value in helping to maintain the health
of old people in their homes. The average number of meals provided
weekly during 1958 was 191.
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