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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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16 CARE OF THE ELDERLY
EALING DAY TREATMENT CENTRE
The Centre, supported by an annual grant from the
Council and by voluntary contributions, continued to
play an important part in the provision of services to
the aged and infirm. All patients are recommended by
their general practitioners, and the object of the
Centre is to carry out a fulI medical and social assessment
and provide all measures necessary for rehabilitation.
On referral, a visit is made to the old persons home
by the Geriatric Health Visitor, so that as much as
possible is known of the patient before admission.
Transport to the Centre is provided by the Ambulance
Service and attendance is usually daily for up to three
months. After discharge, periodic attendance for a day
is the normal procedure, whi 1st the geriatric visitor
maintains contact with the old person at home. By this it
is possible to check that satisfactory progress is being
maintained and if this is not the case, to arrange readmission.
The following table shows the distribution of referrals during the year from the various parts of the Borough:-
| Hanwell W7 | 30 |
| Ealing W13 | 26 |
| Ealing W5 | 20 |
| Greenford | 23 |
| Northolt | 13 |
| Perivale | 3 |
| Southall | 23 |
| Acton | 10 |
| Total: | 148 |
The types of disability which brought patients to the Centre were as follows:-
| Diseases of the musculo-skeletal system | 62 |
| Diseases of the cardiovascular system | 7 |
| Disease of the respiratory system | 4 |
| Diseases of the central nervous system | 64 |
| Diseases of the alimentary system | — |
| No major diagnosis of senility only | 5 |
| Others | 6 |
| Total: | 148 |
I would like again to thank the Friends of Ealing Day
Treatment Centre for the interest and support which they
have continued to give. During the year they presented
the Centre with a very advanced type of physiotherapy
couch which has proved to be a very great benefit to the
patients.
During the year the Centre continued to attract many
interested visitors from home and overseas.
PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION
The Council has powers under Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act 1948 to remove persons in need of care
and attention to hospital or other suitable place. These
powers are only exercised in the last resort and only one
such removal occurred during the year. All other removals
were on a voluntary basis.