London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ealing 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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21. CARE OF THE ELDERLY
Ealing Day Treatment Centre Association
The Ealing Day Treatment Centre for the daily care and treatment of elderly
is supported by donations from local organizations and a grant from the Council
under Section 136 of the Local Government Act, 1948. The Centre is for 20 patients,
and is staffed by a Sister-in-Charge and nursing staff. The services available
include a full medical examination by the Centre's geriatrician, physiotherapy,
occupational therapy and chiropody. The number of patients attending during the
year was 132 which is a slight increase compared to last year. The average duration
of stay was 9.8 weeks which compared with 9.7 weeks last year.
The types of disability which brought patients to the Centre were as follows:-
| Diseases of the musculoskeletal system | 36 |
| Diseases of the cardiovascular system | 26 |
| Diseases of the respiratory system | 7 |
| Diseases of the central nervous system | |
| (includes: hemiplegia 33) | 39 |
| Diseases of the alimentary system | 2 |
| No major diagnosis or senility only | 16 |
| Others | 6 |
| 132 |
The following table shows the distribution of referrals during the year from the various parts of the Borough:-
| Hanwell, W.7. | 29 |
| Ealing, W.13 | 27 |
| Ealing, W.5 | 24 |
| Greenford | 12 |
| Northolt | 12 |
| Perivale | 1 |
| Southall | 25 |
| Acton | 2 |
In my report last year I referred to the lack of follow-up facilities. I am glad
to record that during the year this has been remedied. Firstly an extension to the
building was brought into use in November, which includes a physiotherapy room
and a day room for 12 patients. This has enabled us to provide a follow-up clinic
whereby patients who have been discharged are seen periodically at the Centre for
re-assessment and continued rehabilitation. Secondly, in September a Geriatric
Visitor was appointed to visit the homes of those patients who had been discharged.
In this way it is hoped that any signs of deterioration will be seen early so that
the patient may again be referred to the Centre for exam ination and possible
re-admissinn.
43