View report page

LOAN OF SICK-ROOM EQUIPMENT
Patients being nursed at home may, on medical recommendation,
be loaned a wide variety of equipment to assist in their care. Bulky
items are delivered to patients' homes, smaller articles are collected
from the health department by relatives.
2297 articles were loaned during the year and 3530 items were out
on loan at the year's end. In addition, non-returnable items for
incontinent patients were supplied in considerable quantity. 37,000
disposable incontinence pads were issued and 69 patients were supplied
with waterproof pants or knickers with disposable linings.
Ripple beds were also loaned through hiring arrangements with
manufacturers; this being the most economical way of obtaining these
items in view of their high cost and maintenance charges.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF STAFF
The medical invigilation of new entrants to the Council's service,
and the review of cases absent from duty owing to illness continued
during the year. Generally the physical condition of candidates for
appointment is satisfactory.
During the year 1045 health questionnaires were submitted for
scruitiny. 635 candidates were approved without further enquiry and
38 were accepted after satisfactory reports had been received from
general practitioners or hospital consultants.
The following examinations were carried out:-
No. of persons medically examined 512
No. of persons found to be unfit 4l
No. of persons accepted conditionally 50
No. of persons examined in connection with
sickness payments 64
No. of persons examined for other authorities 3
No. of persons examined by other authorities 17
No. of Chest x-rays arranged in connection with
medical examinations 376
In addition 80 students were medically examined in connection
with entry to teacher training colleges, and a further 86 who had
completed their course of training at the Barking Regional College
were re-examined prior to entry to the teaching profession.
CONVALESCENCE
Arrangements were made for 24 persons recommended a recuperative
holiday by general practitioners or medical officers to go sway for a
period, usually of two weeks.
52