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the recommendation of their own general practitioner and referrals should be made
to the Honorary Medical Adviser, Town Hall Annexe, W.5.
The treatments offered are wide in range and include physiotherapy, occupational
therapy and chiropody. Hearing tests are carried out as a routine and those patients
with marked hearing loss are examined by an ear, nose and throat specialist with a
view to supplying them with a hearing-aid if necessary. Similarly there are eye
inspections by an ophthalmologist. The services of the nursing staff are available for
injections, dressings and baths, or any other treatments requested by the general
practitioner.
It is our endeavour to maintain a happy, friendly and informal atmosphere. Many
of the old persons referred to the Centre have been living alone for an appreciable
time and have forgotten how to mix with their fellow beings. It is possible to raise
the morale of these persons and to rehabilitate them socially. Ensuing mental benefits
are often accompanied by a physical improvement greater than might be expected
from the result of physical treatment alone.
Occasional social activities outside the Centre are welcomed by the patients and
during 1964 some 35 patients were taken to Brighton for a day. They expressed their
appreciation of this outing.
As in previous years the Centre has continued to attract interest in the medical
world. Recently visits have been arranged for parties from China and Nigeria. These
visitors have generally expressed a keen interest and a desire for similar facilities in
their own areas.
During the year 105 patients were admitted, which is slightly less than the previous
year and the same number as the year before that. Considering the main disability,
that which brought the patient to the Centre, the illnesses may be classified as
follows:—
Arthritis and allied complaints 23
Neurological diseases (including hemiplegia 24, Parkinson's disease 5,
and disseminated sclerosis 4) 34
Diseases of the cardiovascular system 21
Diseases of the respiratory system 2
No major ailment or senility only 12
Others 13
Total number 105
These diagnoses follow the pattern that we have been led to expect from previous
years.
The average age of the patients remains at 75 years.
The districts from which patients attended were as follows:—
Hanwell, 27
Ealing, W.13 25
Ealing, W.5 19
Greenford 17
Northolt 15
Perivale 2
42