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Number of Boroughs making special arrangements where
major adaptations to private properties have been necessary
(or would be required)
(a) By "second mortgage" or similar method
(b) By rehousing in Council property
3
1
Number of Boroughs retaining adapted Council properties for future
use, granting life tenancies without charge for the service or
having this in mind
2
Number of Boroughs making charges for reinstatement of adapted
properties maintenance charges and incidental expenses
3
In one local authority area installation costs were met in full either by the Council or the
employers or from charitable sources or else a Council house was adapted. In another authority,
no charge was made to tenants (Council or private) and owners also were not charged unless the
cost exceeded £100 in which case a second interest-free mortgage repayable when the patient was
no longer in residence was made. In another authority, the usual assessment applied but the
authority bore the first £50 and half of the remaining balance.
The London Boroughs Association was taking a somewhat different view at this time. The
Social Services Committee of that body enquired of the Secretary of State if the use of home
dialysis was not a continuation of hospital treatment, and as such, outside local authority
jurisdiction. The reply to this query made it clear that although these patients need the backing of
hospital departments, they live and work in the community and their care to the extent outlined
in Circular 2/68 should be a proper function of the local health authority.
The Town Clerk was informed by the Department of Health and Social Security that the
legal interpretation of such a unit would place it within the definition of specialist services
normally provided under Part II of the National Health Service Act 1946. The existing scheme
was therefore retained and improved.
One improvement under consideration was the setting-up of a panel of contractors either
with experience of this type of work or willing to gain such experience. The costing analysis of
Wood and Lee (1970) supported our view that there need be no alarming price quotations.
The two health centre projects at Thamesmead and Erith continued to make progress in
1970 but nothing came of a further attempt to elicit interest in the site at 315/317 Broadway. In
consequence a two-stage project was considered and put forward to the Department of Health and
Social Security for approval. There was further correspondence but approval had still not been
obtained by the end of the year. Completion of Stage I (Local Health Authority Education services
only) of the project would give this populous area of the Borough a much needed centre from
HEALTH CENTRES
82