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28
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
Retirement 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 37 cases were so dealt with, 28 women and 9 men.
There were in addition, 22 cases where the patients cancelled their
applications after the arrangements had been made.
HOME HELP SERVICE
Miss J.E. Heath, Principal Home Help Organiser. •
"It befits those happy at home to remain there" Latin proverb.
A home is one of the essential aspects of human life particularly for the
very young and the very old. To all ages it means a secure and familiar environment,
but the maintenance of a home requires skill and physical energy.
When energy fails through illness or old age, a substitute must be found. One
present day source of substitute energy is the Home Help Service.
Unfortunately apart from the move to Taberner House, 1968 was not an inspired
year for the Croydon Home Help Service. The training scheme for Home
Helps which aroused considerable interest in several parts of the country had
a temporary set-back. Shortage of District Home Help Organisers necessitated
the employment of the Tutor Organiser for relief duties. Happily by December
three appointments were made and the training scheme became fully operational
by January 1969.
"Waiting for Seebohm" became a speculative pastime throughout the
country, particularly amongst Home Help Organisers. Home Helps have always
formed part of the domiciliary health team, and in the formative years of the
Service much of the statutory social work was performed by Public Health Staff
Today the vast pattern of social work is much more intricate and complicated
and the recommendation that the Home Help Service should form part of the
Social Services was not unexpected. There are however many points still to be
debated, not the least being the recruitment of suitable women for Home Help
work. As the number of recruits diminishes, more stringent reviews of priorities
are required, and the question must be answered, which must take precedence,
medical or social need?