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Laundry Service for Aged Incontinent Persons.
This service was set up in Wood Green in 1963
to serve the Boroughs of Wood Green and Southgate and the Urban
District of Friern Barnet. It is an excellent example of
co-operation between three local authorities, all of whom have
this service closely at heart.
With the formation of the new Boroughs other
arrangements have had to be made and this laundry for Friern Barnet
has now been transferred to Finchley. There will of course, be
no interuption or change in the service so far as the patients are
concerned.
I am grateful to the three councils and to the
officers, particularly of the Engineer's Department in Wood Green
who have made the scheme work so smoothly and efficiently and also
to Mrs. Mitchell, the Area Home Help Organiser, for the extra work
she has willingly put into this service.
Chiropody Service.
Throughout the year chiropody sessions have been
held three times a week at Holly Park Clinic and domicilary visits
are also made as necessary. It is hoped that this service will
continue with no curtailment.
Hospitals.
The general hospital services available to the
people of Friern Barnet continue in the main as in previous years.
The acute shortage is in Maternity beds, and the
scheme for "planned early discharge" must inevitably continue until
the shortage is met. In all these cases a very careful investigation
is made to ensure that the home is a suitable one to which the mother
may safely return 48 hours after her confinement in hospital.
Laboratory Facilities.
I would again record my appreciation and thanks
to the staff of the Public Health Laboratory Service both at Colindale
and Coppetts Wood Hospital for their unfailing assistance during
the year. I feel that we are very highly privileged in having
available their expert advice to call upon at any time.
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