View report page

32
CONVALESCENCE
The Corporation accepts financial responsibility for convalescence
recommended by general practitioners. Each patient recommended must
have had a definite illness or accident and must go to a recognised
Convalescent Home. The Corporation recovers part or all the cost according
to the income of the patient and in accordance with a definite assessment
scale. Certain patients may receive convalescent treatment free,
including Old Age Pensioners. Every effort is made to suit the patient
to the particular Home, as different Homes cater for different age groups
and different kinds of medical or surgical condition.
During the year 30 cases were so dealt with, 25 women, 5 men and 1
child under 5 years. There were in addition, 13 cases where the patients
cancelled their applications after the arrangements had been made.
HOME HELP SERVICE
Miss J.E. Heath, Home Help Supervisor
"Learning should continue as long as there is anything you do not
know and if we may believe- the proverb as long as you live".
Quotation by Seneca.
This may at first appear a somewhat unusual quotation for this
report, but 1966 was an eventful year, eventful in an unusual way for the
Home Help Service. The flat created from the near derelict basement in
47, St. James's Road was opened for the first group of Home Helps to
undertake a comprehensive training course. The course planned and
directed by the Tutor Organiser was designed to cover all the practical
work of the Home Help, the talks and demonstrations given by professional
staff emphasised the role played by Home Helps in supporting other
workers in the domiciliary Health and Welfare field.
The training of Home Helps is by no means a new idea, indeed in
1947 a meeting of interested persons was convened in London under the
chairmanship of Lady Reading, to consider the training of Home Helps.
Nearly twenty years. later the present. Minister of Health gave publicity
and encouragement to the training of Home Helps in a circular addressed
to all Local Authorities.
Some of the advantages of training courses are very obvious but
there is one aspect which must not be overlooked - the effect on recruitment.
By co-ordinating even small groups of Home Helps who usually
work in isolation a new and vital stimulus can be added to the recruiting
campaign. The present training is designed to encourage Home Helps to
accept a broader responsibility for the health and well-being of their
patients. Wider knowledge and a greater understanding are good reasons
for increased pride and enthusiasm and these are qualities which arouse
interest and encouragement in others.