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
Barking 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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HOME HELP SERVICE
(1) General
As a result of my recommendation of 28th October, 1969 towards
a variation in the establishment of the Home Help Service and
following consideration by Domiciliary and Nursing Sub-Committee
on 12th May 1970, and Establishment Committee on 29th June, 1970,
approval was given to dispense with the two posts of Assistant
Organiser, to increase the number of Organisers and Clerks to three.
As a result of this decision it was possible to effect
re-organisation of the service within the Borough on a three area
basis from October. The effect of this re-organisation was not
too apparent in the remaining two months of the year, but I am
satisfied that this will give rise to a better return in routine
visiting by Organiser's and a resultant supervision of service
provided.
(2) Case Loads
(a) Fluctuation from month to month continued, and throughout the year the following cases were served:-
| Aged over 65 years | 1906 |
| Chronic Sick | 241 |
| Mentally Disordered | 6 |
| Maternity | 15 |
| Others | 23 |
| 2191* |
*This figure shows an increase of 204 over the previous year.
Requests received during the year 1091
Cases not proceeded to during the
year (for varying reasons) 248
(b) To assess the needs of new requests and to "follow up"
and supervise existing cases, organising staff visited as follows:-
Investigation visits 1237
Routine visits 3548
Others 601
5386*
*of this figure 767 were "non effective"
Total effective visits 4619
(c) Night Attendance provided for one case only.
(3) Recruitment of Labour
Although the number of Home Helps was increased by 17, it
was again necessary to restrict the recruitment of labour having
regard to need for overall economy.
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