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(1) Number of Home Helps - January 1st and
December 31st, 1955: -
(a) Full-time 18
(b) Part-time 126
(2) Number of new applications:-
(a) Maternity 474
(b) Sickness 1,026
(c) Sick Room Helpers 6
(3) Number of applications met:-
(a) Maternity 401
(b) Tuberculosis 32
(c) Chronic Sick (including aged
and infirm) 604
(d) Others (including sick room
helpers) 422
(4) Number of cases attended during year 2,259
(5) Average duration of services given:-
(a) Maternity 12 days
(b) Sickness (acute cases) 10-21 days
(6) Amount recovered for services £5,281
(7) Rate of remuneration of "Helps" at 31.12.55 was
2s. 10 3/8 d.per hour.
It is of interest that for the first time for many years the
percentage of maternity cases attended has shown a considerable
increase. It probably reflects new assessment scales, which were
devised to lessen the burden on those requiring whole-time service
and the maternity grant for home confinements.
At the borough cleansing station, disinfestation of women and
children was undertaken by an especially trained home help. A
small weekly retaining payment was made, but usually the home help
carried out the ordinary work of the service. This arrangement has
effected considerable saving, as the diminishing demand for disinfestation
required only occasional intermittent attendances for
cleansing duties.
The Sick Room Attendance scheme has operated when required,
but demand for such night cover was small. Five emergency calls
were met, relating to patients awaiting admission to hospital.