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old people often look dull and ill — many have not been out of
doors for weeks, and they come in using walking sticks, and are
so tottery that they have to be helped to get up from the chairs,
but after only a few weeks the improvement is quite remarkable.
They are very enthusiastic and quite obviously have followed the
advice we give them. In a few cases their friends have been so
intrigued by the improvement that they have come to try it for
themselves. The group physiotherapy is most encouraging; there
is quite keen competition among the patients to show each other
how well they are getting on. These exercises are designed to teach
self help in their own homes and deal with the questions of posture,
standing, lifting, turning knobs, taps, etc.
The old people cannot be hurried and we do not want to give
them the impression that we are too busy to listen as talking over
their problems has a great therapeutic value to many of them.
The first visit usually takes about half an hour; we find so many
social problems that cannot be disassociated from their health
condition. This involves quite a lot of contacting of the various
social agencies but we cannot speak too highly of the co-operation
we have received from all sources. The National Assistance Board
visit very promptly when we ask their advice about extra allowances
etc., and the general practitioners have visited patients we
have referred back to them.
In practice we have found that the size of the clinic should
be kept small; 20-25 an afternoon are as many as can be coped
with, and that is with a good team of voluntaries, two health
visitors and a physiotherapist. A Medical Officer does not attend
these clinics, the general practitioners being encouraged to regard
the health visitors as acting as almoners on their behalf.
Welfare Services
The staff of the Health Department work in close cooperation
with the local representatives of the County Council's
Welfare, Children's and Education Departments and such voluntary
bodies as the Guild of Social Service, N.S.P.C.C. and Marriage
Guidance Council.
The Divisional Medical Officer is responsible for co-ordinating
the activities of all concerned with "Problem Families" and children
neglected in their own homes. In addition to emergency
meetings, all current cases are reviewed at quarterly case
conferences.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, SECTION 47
The powers given under this Section for securing the removal
of aged persons living in insanitary conditions were not utilised
during 1963.
Periodically border-line cases occur in which the Welfare
Officers seek advice, but every endeavour is made to find a satisfactory
solution without resorting to compulsory powers.
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