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PERSONAL HEALTH
Adaptation of Homes
to Install Artificial
Kidney Machines
There is increasing use of artificial kidney machines in patients' homes in the
treatment of chronic renal failure. Hospital authorities provide and maintain
the intermittent haemodialysis equipment and provide the relevant medical
services. They also pay for the extra cost of electricity and for the installation
and rental of a telephone where this is necessary. They have not, however,
powers to make adaptations to the home and, in 1968, the then Minister of
Health approved the making of arrangements by all local health authorities
for these purposes and also the making of reasonable charges.
A patient being treated in this way requires a room with space for a single
bed and the dialysis equipment, and a sink with a good supply of water. The
walls and ceiling of the room should be made crack-free and washable, and
the floor covering should be waterproof. Special storage space for one
month's supply of sterile dressings and of containers of concentrated fluids
is required, together with special electric wiring and plumbing where
necessary. In some cases it may be necessary to build an extension to the
house. During the year, applications were received from hospitals for
adaptations for this purpose to be made at the homes of three patients and
the necessary work was authorised in each case.
Circular LHAL 19/71, issued in June by the Department of Health and
Social Security, asked local authorities to review their arrangements for dealing
with these cases to ensure that no avoidable delay occurred. A meeting,
at which were represented all departments of the Council concerned with
these adaptations, was arranged. The Administrator for this service from the
hospital most concerned with Enfield cases was also present. Modifications
were made in the procedure, aimed at reducing to a minimum the time
necessary for each stage to be completed.
Hypothermia
A reminder was again issued at the beginning of the winter to general medical
practitioners, medical and nursing staff, public health inspectors and social
workers regarding the measures which would help to prevent accidental
hypothermia, with particular reference to the elderly. Details were given of
the practical help available from voluntary and statutory agencies. No
instances of morbidity or mortality due to hypothermia were reported.
Fluoridation of
Public Water
Supplies
There has been no significant change in the position since my previous
reports.
It appears that artificial fluoridation of public water supplies, which is
favoured by the Council, will not come about until all the local authorities
in the area supplied by the water undertakings reach agreement, or until a
decision is made by the Government to be implemented nationally.
Health Education
As the functions of the Department's Health Education Section have become
more widely known, so the work has expanded, and the year has been
increasingly busy and stimulating. Enquiries have been received not only
from the public generally but also from a wide range of students, and the
facilities of the section have also been made available to tutors, training
course organisers and lecturers from colleges.
The General Public
The Health Education Officer gave talks on the following subjects to various
organisations: Prevention of Home Accidents (4); Maintenance of good
health (8); The Importance of proper food (4); Cancer Education (2);
Dental Health (6); Anti-Smoking Education (1); Communication (1); Drugs
(3); Health Education Methods (1); The Work of the Health Department (1).
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