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31
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 conditions.
During the year 45 cases were so dealt with, 25 women, 12 men, 1 boy
of 14 and 7 children under 5 years. There were in addition, 28 cases where
the patients cancelled their applications after the arrangements had been
made.
HOME HELP SERVICE
Miss J. E. Heath, Principal Home Help Organiser
1967 started well for the Croydon Home Help Service. The training scheme
which aroused considerable interest in several parts of the country attracted
visitors from the Ministry of Health, Royal College of Nursing and several other
Local Authorities. Unfortunately, before the end of the year the scheme had to
be suspended temporarily owing to shortage of District Home Help Organisers.
Although only a limited number of Home Helps were able to take advantage of
the scheme it became evident the Service was being injected with a new purpose.
Experienced Home Helps improved their existing skills and displayed
greater confidence in using their initiative. They felt, probably for the first
time, integral members of a domiciliary health team. These early experiences
indicated that the type of training offered to the Croydon Home Helps was designed
on the right lines, and must as soon as possible become a permanent
part of the Service. The patient at home is entitled to expect the services of
staff with an established code of conduct which is only likely to come from
trained personnel.
For detailed figures, see Appendix page 115.