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27
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 42 cases were so dealt with, 33 women and 9 men.
There were in addition, 15 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 is often said "that women's work is never done", certainly this
comment applies to the Home Help Service.
The work of a Home Help is not glamourous, exciting or exceptional,
but it is rewarding. The reward comes from seeing other people enjoying the
privacy and comfort of their own homes even when supportive help is required
to manage the home. The provision of physical help is the obvious
part of the story, it is viable and can be assessed in hours worked and performance
achieved.
The friendship and comfort a Home Help brings cannot be calculated.
Mechanical aids have taken much of the drudgery from household chores,but
nothing has been invented to replace a cheerful greeting and friendly
conversation.
There were two highlights in the Croydon H.H.S. during 1969, both of
which gave further recognition to the training scheme for Home Helps. In
June the Chairman of the Health, Maternity and Welfare Sub-Committee was
the guest at a meeting at which the Medical Officer of Health took the chair.
On this occasion 40 Home Helps were presented with their certificates
following the successful completion of their training courses. Press photographs
taken there now form part of a collection of a permanent record of
achievement within the service.
The second event was the filming of some of the Croydon Home Helps in
their training flat and in the Health Education lecture room. This excerpt is
included in a national colour film which has been produced by the Institute
of Home Help Organisers. The film will be available during 1970 on standard
8 mm. The institute hopes to sell copies to Local Authorities throughout the
country.