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
Bromley 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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Welfare of the Elderly—The members of the social work teams
based at area offices in Orpington, Bromley and Penge arrange for
the admission of elderly people to the residential homes for both
long- and short-term care, as well as arranging attendances at the
homes for day care.
Eleven beds are reserved for the short-term care provision and,
as stated, this year 136 clients used the facilities. This sort of care
often prevents the need for an elderly person to be admitted on a
permanent basis as well as in some cases allowing for relatives
supporting an elderly person at home to have a holiday.
During the year there has been over 2,000 attendances for day
care at the homes. Clients using this service are provided with a
mid-day meal and often tea, as well as being able to use the
facilities of the home, i.e. bathing, hairdressing and chiropody.
Welfare Services for the Blind, Deaf and Physically Handicapped
The number of persons on the registers have increased during the year as follows:
| Blind | Partially Sighted | Physically Handicapped | Deaf with Speech | Deaf without Speech | Hard of Hearing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 502 | 213 | 1,132 | 32 | 27 | |
| 1969 | 512 | 242 | 1,303 | 34 | 31 | 59 |
Holidays—Holidays were arranged for the blind and physically
handicapped either in groups or individually. 96 blind or partially
sighted persons and their guides went on holidays arranged by the
Council, and 103 physically handicapped and seven escorts availed
themselves of the Council's holiday scheme. Included in these
figures were parties of physically handicapped persons whose
holiday we organised in conjunction with the British Red Cross
Society. A high proportion of blind and partially sighted persons
took their holiday at the Kent Association for the Blind home at
Cliftonville. The choice of holiday accommodation for seriously
disabled persons is very limited due to the special facilities that
they require. The distance to be travelled is also an important
factor.
Aids and Adaptations—Many aids to daily living are supplied by
the Council. The total amount spent during the year was £1,515.
After extensive research had been carried out, a new type of
tableware came on the market which assists severely handicapped
persons to overcome their eating and drinking problems. This
tableware is being supplied where it will meet the disabled
person's need.
In May, the general public were given an opportunity of
viewing the wide range of aids available when the Geoffrey Peto