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55
Circulatory System and Constipation. All these are diseases
chiefly affecting the older age groups.
There was a slight increase in the cases attended for Preparation
for X-ray and for Post-Operative Care, indicating that increasing
use is being made of the Home Nursing Service by the Hospital
Service.
Although there was a considerable reduction in the number of
penicillin injections given in 1954, possibly partly because of the
introduction of long acting type of penicillin, these injections still
form by far the largest group of treatment given and are chiefly
ordered for respiratory and skin infections.
HOME HELP SERVICE
There has been a steady increase in the demands made on the
Home Help Service over the last few years and this has been maintained
during 1954. The greatest demand by far has been for
help for the aged and infirm, help which has to be extended
in nearly all cases over a prolonged period, and the Organizers are
finding it increasingly difficult to cover the work with the existing
establishment of Home Helps. The present establishment is a staff
equivalent of 108 full time Home Helps, but as the demand rises
this may need to be increased in the near future. There has been
some difficulty in recruiting suitable women for this type of work,
as the good Home Help needs to be more than just a cleaner. .She
has to be cheerful, patient and understanding, a task which is not
always easy when dealing with difficult sick persons. The domestic
labour shortage in the Borough is acute.
As most of those receiving help are of pensionable age the
majority are subsidised, and 67% of the whole are in fact in receipt
of a free service.