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
Haringey 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]
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DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
The total number of cases provided with home help during the year was 2,624. The number of new
cases are still increasing and the bulk of the work continues to be among the aged sick, who need permanent
help.
The total number of visits made by the Home Help Organiser and her assistants during the year was
5,597. Of this number 1,243 were in respect of new cases.
The number of home helps in employment at the end of the year was 216 (equivalent to 127 full-
time).
Neighbourly Help Service
This service continues to function satisfactorily, but we have not been successful in obtaining the
services of many Good Neighbours,and at the end of the year there were only two cases, although at one
period there were five, being serviced.
The following table shows details of the cases served during the year-
| Cases provided with help during the year | Number of new cases provided with help | Number of old cases for which help was continued from 1964 | Total number of cases provided with help | Total number of cases still being provided with help at end of year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or over at time of first visit during year | 638 | 1529 | 2167 | 1599 |
| Aged under 65 on first visit during year: | ||||
| Chronic sick and tuberculous | 82 | 111 | 193 | 138 |
| Mentally disordered | - | - | - | - |
| Maternity | 100 | 3 | 103 | 5 |
| Others | 113 | 48 | 161 | 39 |
| Totals | 933 | 1691 | 2624 | 1781 |
RETIREMENT ADVICE CLINIC
There are twoclinics in Haringey, both started by previous local authorities. One is held fortnightly
in a room in the Old People's Centre at Woodside House in Wood Green; the other, which is confined to
men of retirement age, is held weekly in Somerset Road Clinic, Tottenham, or Weston Park Clinic, Hornsey.
A medical officer and aclinicnurse are presentat each. Advice is provided on health and dietary matters,
and medical examinations are carried out as often as the consent of the older people is obtained. There
is frequent contact with the Ministry of Labour with regard to part-time employment, other agencies for
help with social problems or recreational needs,and with general practitioners,chiropodists,etc. should
any treatment be required.
A study is in progress to determine how the work of these clinics might be co-ordinated and
expanded.
During 1965 there were27sessions at the Woodside House Clinic, at which 14 new cases were seen
and 208 who re-attended. 33 sessions were held at Somerset Road Clinic and Weston Park Clinic, 32 cases
being new and 48 re-attendances.
47