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11
SECTION B
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE
AREA.
Staffing.
We had during the year two staff changes ; one relating to a
District Sanitary Inspector who resigned in order to secure a more
favourable appointment in the North, and the second relating to a
clerical post in the office in which again a better opportunity presented
itself.
Local Health Authority.
In pursuance of your resolution of 13th May, 1952, to the effect
that the proposed basis for my continued participation in the administration
of the County Council's Health and School Medical Services in
the South Essex Health Area was not acceptable, I ceased duty as from
the date noted. My views should be recorded as coinciding with yours
in this connection.
Care of the Aged.
From time to time during each year we have brought to our notice
instances of aged people in which there appears to be some prejudice
to the health either of the individual concerned or possibly even other
residents in the same house by reason of these aged persons either
not having the will or the means to look after themselves properly.
Age, of course, is not only a matter of years and appears as the result
of the impact of time upon the established habits and custom of the
individual so that a situation may well be arrived at in which one
person of 80 may well differ little or be even in better shape than another
many years junior.
There is no doubt that increasing attention through Geriatric
Committees, Old Age People's Welfare Associations, visiting of the
aged by Health Visitors and others, Home Help Services and the like
substantially provide for the needs of many aged individuals so long
as these individuals know the facilities open to them and are willing
to avail themselves of them. Such, however, is the innate and acquired
independence of many of these people that it would appear they
literally have to be at death's door before they will accept assistance.
The plight of the more unfortunate of the aged is being appreciated
to a very large extent by those who can help and it remains to do all
that is possible to ensure that if full use is not made of the opportunities
provided it is not through ignorance of these opportunities on the part
of the aged. Scope still remains for propaganda in this connection.
Public Health Propaganda.
Apart from utilising the recognised journals which deal with this
subject every opportunity is taken of introducing it into talks to local
organisations. A regular and topical poster display service is carried
on throughout the area. Items of interest are noted for issue by our
Public Relations Committee who maintain a constant press liaison.