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During the year, 2,298 cases were provided with domestic help and of these
1,624 were aged 65 years or over, 223 were maternity cases, 166 were chronic sick
or tuberculous, and three were mentally disordered. The remaining 282 were
assisted for various reasons, such as post-operative hospital discharge, ante-natal,
and acute illness.
Mothers suffering from toxaemia of pregnancy are provided with the service
free of charge, as it is important to ensure early and complete rest during the
ante-natal period. Domestic help was provided for eight such cases during the year.
Neighbourly Help Scheme
Under this scheme neighbours may be paid a small weekly sum to provide
limited domestic help to those in need. The neighbourly help keeps a friendly eye
on the patient and undertakes or helps with certain household duties, such as fire
lighting, preparing meals, shopping and cleaning. The scheme operates on a
relatively small scale as many prefer to be truly neighbourly and give their services
without charge, whilst others are unwilling to accept the responsibility.
Every effort is made to foster the scheme, thereby easing a little the demand
on the limited home help staff resources. During the year seven families received
assistance under this scheme, and at the end of the year six neighbourly helps were
employed.
(See Statistical Table 28.)
TEN-YEAR PLAN FOR HEALTH SERVICES
In accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 14/65, a Ten-Year Plan outlining
the proposed development of their Health Services from 1st April, 1966,
to 31st March, 1976, was approved by the Council on the 21st December, 1965,
and described in my report last year.
Negotiations are now reaching finality with regard to the provision of a health
centre in Hertford Road, Edmonton, and the Minister has intimated that loan sanction
will be considered for the year 1967/68. He has also included the hostel for
mentally subnormal children for consideration in the same year. Informal discussions
have taken place with regard to further health centres, and also the proposed
clinic at Green Street, Enfield, which is being planned to allow for ultimate expansion
into a health centre. The Minister of Health has stated that loan sanction will
be considered for 1968/69.
As a result of the Government's deferment of expenditure on capital projects
announced in July 1965, the schedule has been delayed. A notable exception to
any restriction has been health centre provision.
In accordance with the plan the Council has approved the appointment to the
establishment for the year 1967 of the following additional staff: two home nurses,
two nursing auxiliaries, four health visitors/school nurses, one health visitor group
adviser, one field work instructor, one chiropodist and two mental welfare officers.
The Minister of Health did not call for a review of the plan this year.
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