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Miscellany
One man was under the care of the London Hospital for bronchitis and one 70 year old
man had a recurrence of bilateral hernia. The 52 year old female had uterine fibroids and suffered
from anxiety state, while another aged 63 suffered from epilepsy for which she was already
receiving treatment.
It seems that this sort of clinic does play a useful part. At the end of each course we ask
for comment and criticism and it is rewarding that each time they find the course interesting and
helpful. The course is designed to teach the Over 60's and to encourage them to talk to the staff
and doctor; it helps to resolve whatever problems they may have. People do not like to take up
the time of the family doctor who they think is very busy and they are grateful for the time we
spend with them. They can talk and reveal their anxieties and occasionally we also discover a
condition they did not feel was serious enough to trouble their doctor with. There is always the
probability that the withdrawn or the more seriously ill will not come to these courses, but the
doctor would know about the seriously ill and one hopes that the Health Visitor or Social Worker
would know about the withdrawn. One also hopes that working within the community, one gets
to know the people and very likely they will draw ones attention to such cases and give the
possibility to contact them.
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.
2,018 articles were loaned during the year and 3,895 items were out on loan at the year's
end. In addition, non-returnable items for incontinent patients were supplied in considerable
quantity. 38,400 disposable incontinent pads were issued and 120 patients were supplied with
waterproof pants or knickers with disposable linings.
Thirty 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.
34.