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As a consequence of successful treatment eight persons previously registered as blind were
found, on re-examination, to be partially-sighted and six persons previously certified as
blind or partially-sighted were found to be improved to such an extent as no longer to
justify registration.
Notifications of ophthalmia neonatorum are given on page 21.
Registration of nursing homes
During the years since 1948 the number of private nursing homes in the county has
shown a steady decline. In 1949 there were 58 registered nursing homes containing 1,023
beds and in addition there were 40 homes exempted from registration on the grounds
that they were not run for profit. In 1963 there were 34 registered nursing homes containing
945 beds and 35 homes exempted from registration. The demand for maternity and surgical
beds greatly decreased since the inception of the National Health Service but there has been
an increase in the need for beds for medical patients, particularly the elderly, infirm and
chronic sick. This change of user has led to a review of the staffing standards and state
enrolled nurses may now be employed in suitable ratio to fully trained nurses on the staff
of nursing homes.
The Mental Health Act, 1959 came into operation in November 1960, and Part III
of that Act and the powers for registration set out in the Public Health (London) Act, 1936
have now been applied to mental nursing homes. Four nursing homes have accordingly
been registered for the reception of mentally ill patients. The Nursing Homes Act, 1963
repealed the power to grant exemption from the provisions of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936 to non profit-making homes and consequently all the homes previously exempted
had to apply for registration. Regulations under this Act governing the conduct of nursing
homes came into operation on 27 August 1963 and have strengthened the Council's
powers to require and maintain good standards in nursing homes.