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43
Occupational Therapy
Mrs. S. Wiltshire, Occupational Therapist, reports as follows on the
Centre's activities in 1956.
Five students were attending at the beginning of the year and
another five joined soon afterwards.
In August we attended the Borough Show, selling and taking
orders for goods displayed, and again won an award for weaving.
We had a stand at Woodford in September and took orders for
many of the articles on show. We again assisted at the Council of
Social Service Christmas Sale, and here again sales and orders were
very satisfactory.
Our Christmas Sale at the Centre was a great success, the new
lines—soft toys and waxed paper flowers—were in great demand
and subsequent orders will keep the class busy for several months
in the New Year. Thanks also to getting more generous use of one
of our windows this year for display we have had a steady trickle of
orders from passers-by.
At present two men students are in hospital, and two women
students absent owing to illness in their homes. The remainder of
the class still take a keen interest in the work.
I have had to bring to the notice of the Committee that there
does not appear to be the need for this branch of rehabilitation for
tuberculosis patients as existed when the Centre was set up in 1950. At
the time of writing the attendance is down to two patients which shows
that there is not the waiting time for admission to sanatorium, and the
success of the new drugs in treating the disease which obviate the longterm
rehabilitation prior to the patient recommencing work. Further, the
patient is anxious to restore his earning capabilities as soon as possible.
Convalescence.
74 adults were sent away for period of convalescence and the majority
of them stayed for three weeks.
Loan of Sickroom Equipment.
The loan of sickroom equipment is another service that will increase
with the ageing population, and this entailed the loan of 428 articles
during 1956.
Tuberculosis Care Association.
The Leyton, Wanstead and Woodford Tuberculosis Care Association
have continued to make good progress during the year in assistance
to patients and the raising of funds to finance this purpose. Miss R.
Carrington, the Secretary of the Association, reports that the total income
was £1,840 of which two-thirds was raised by Seal sales and other
activities. The assistance to patients involved an expenditure of £1,475
in extra nourishment, payment of fares, financial grants, clothing and
convalescence.