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20
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The Chest Clinic Occupational Therapy Department has been kept
busy throughout 1968. A steady number of new patients were visited,most
of whom are now doing Occupational Therapy in their homes, and others
who were well enough to cope were passed on to Waylands.
This year has been rather less productive than of late as a greater
number of the patients were more frail and poorly, and in these cases we
concentrated on lighter and less tiring occupations. However, we have had
a very good year in some departments and have made and sold large numbers
of mosaic plant pots and other mosaic articles as well as the usual caneworl
and toys.
All the patients are enthusiastic about their work and find the demand
for their products very satisfying.
Our sales were very encouraging again and there was a continuous demand
for the goods in the showcase throughout the year. We did not hold our
Annual Saie in December but some craftwork was taken to Purley Hospital
before Christmas and everything sold quite quickly.
VENEREAL DISEASES
It has always been difficult to assess local trends. Returns are needed
from all clinics in the London and Surrey areas, classified according to
places of residence of patients, and some have not been forthcoming for
1968. From the figures received from the Croydon General Hospital, new
cases of Syphilis were fewer than in 1967, but there were more cases of
Gonorrhoea and of non-specific urethritis. Although the total returns to date
show a reduction against the general background of continuing national increases,
one hesitates to assume success in efforts to limit the spread of
venereal diseases in Croydon. Quarterly returns for the current year support
the view that increased prevalence is the overall tendency.
For detailed figures see Appendix page 137.
PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICE
Very considerable use has been made of the facilities for bacteriological
and other laboratory examinations of public health nature. I take this
opportunity to thank Dr. W.R.G. Thomas, Consultant Bacteriologist at Mayday
Hospital for his ready assistance and most helpful advice which have been
available at all times.
For detailed figures, see Appendix page 129.