View report page

DIRECT SERVICE
No. of
Sessions
No. of
Treatments
No. of
Patients
Clinics
884
4,233
975
Domiciliary
494
2,240
517
Old People's Homes
128
917
249
CONTRACTUAL SERVICE
No. of Treatments
Surgery
Domiciliary
No. of
Patients
6,288
3,753
1,182
REHOUSING ON PRIORITY MEDICAL GROUNDS
This report is confined to one specific issue — Priority Rehousing on Medical Grounds.
Duties and functions of Local Authority appertaining to public health aspects of housing are
dealt with elsewhere in the Report.
The present scheme of rehousing on priority medical grounds has been operating successfully
with slight alterations for several years. The scheme overrides the points system and in extreme
cases even the required twelve months period on the waiting list is waived.
The procedure at present adopted after full consultation with the Housing Manager is as
follows:—
The Housing Manager notifies the Medical Officer of Health of any applicant bringing
forward medical reasons for rehousing. After obtaining the written consent of the applicant
to approach the family doctor and/or hospital consultant, either or both of them are contacted
by individual letter, routine questionnaire or telephone call as appropriate.
Similar procedure is adopted for a small proportion of cases (6%) referred to me from
other agencies, i.e., the Health Department staff, general practitioners. Director of Social Services.
Not infrequently a direct approach is made by a prospective applicant.
Where there is any possibility that the applicants claim can be substantiated, my Principal
Medical Officer or a Senior Medical Officer visits the home by appointment and writes out
a detailed report at the time of the visit. The Housing Manager is subsequently advised whether
or not the application has my support.
The borderline cases are discussed at the Group Officers Meeting held once a month.
If the application does not have medical support it is dealt with in the usual way, i.e.,
on the points system.
I feel I ought to make it very clear that because of council housing shortage, the medical
criteria are not only very stringent but also faithfully adhered to.
The visit from my Senior Medical Staff fulfil an additional role since their visit often brings
forth a hitherto unmet need, e,g. urgent repair to property, various social needs including closer
supervision from medical or social agency.
67