View report page

During the year 2,422 cases, compared with 2,298 last year, were provided with
domestic help and, of these, 1,745 were aged 65 years or over, 171 were maternity
cases, 239 were chronic sick or tuberculous and three were mentally disordered.
The remaining 264 were assisted for various reasons, such as post-operative
hospital discharge, ante-natal, and acute illness. Compared with last year these
figures show a small percentage decrease in the demand for help in maternity cases,
with a corresponding small percentage increase for help in the case of the aged
and chronic sick, etc.
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 antenatal
period. Domestic help was provided for five such cases.
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 firelighting,
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 nine families received
assistance under this scheme, and at the end of the year seven 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 the health services from 1st April, 1966, to
31st March, 1976, was prepared and details were included in the annual report
for 1965. As a result of the Government's deferment of expenditure on capital
projects, the schedule has been delayed. No review of the programme has yet been
called for but Ministry of Health Circular 10/67 referred to local health authorities'
programmes for the long-term development of their services and gave notice of the
Minister's intention to ask for revised plans towards the end of 1968 to cover the
10-year period up to and including 1978/9.
It was appreciated that the Ten-Year Plan prepared in 1965 was intended only
as a guide to future development and would be subject to periodical review. The
effect of various factors, including the financial restrictions, is shown on the revised
programme (Table 29). A significant exception to restrictions imposed by the
Government has been health centre provision and this is reflected in the revised
plan which makes provision for a total of 11 health centres to be built by 1977.
63