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12
Care of the Aged.
A variety of agencies provide help under this heading. The most
valuable help should be the acceptance that the aged— with all their
advantages and disadvantages— remain part of a family. Neither the old
folk nor the young married couple with a family necessarily benefit by
occupying the same house (although this may often be done quite
happily). If, however, the old people do have a place of their own contact
with them should be maintained especially in times of crisis. All this
sounds in all conscience— too reasonable to demand special note but it
is a revelation how often this contact is allowed to lapse not apparently
by force of circumstance but through lack of will.
I am not really persuaded that Registers and the like are essential.
It is more important that the free services should be publicised generally
so that they may be called upon if required, rather than that the aged be
specially regimented into utilising them.
The aged have earned a little peace and quiet and the danger is that
our solicitude for them may deprive them of their privilege.
Home Safety.
The Council agreed to afford full participation in the "Guard that
Fire" campaign organised by the Home Office.
A close liaison still exists between the local Committee and your
Public Health Department.
National Assistance Act. 1948, Section 47.
It was not necessary to take formal action during the year under
this Section.
Once more I would emphasise that the unostentatious work of the
Public Health Inspector is a vital link in the forces dealing with the less
fortunate of our citizens.
It is easy to forget that the delineation of the environmental and the
personal health services may on occasion be more readily achieved in
theory than practice-
Health Centres.
By the kind permission of the Area Medical Officer a visit was
paid by the Public Health Committee to Aveley Health Centre. This
was of value in eliciting the attempts which are being made by the Local
Health Authority and the Executive Council to produce the closest
possible liaison between the general practitioner and the Local Health
Authority services. Hornchurch has not of course got a Health Centre
of the comprehensive type within its boundaries although Romford and
Thurrock by reason doubtless of their having large new housing development
in Harold Hill and Aveley are so provided. If the practical
results measure up to the theoretical possibilities then these Centres mark
a distinct advance in at least the partial co-ordination of medical services
and there is still plenty of scope for such co-ordination between the
various Authorities exercising health functions.