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(a) describing and discussing the full range of the hospitals'
activities, and
(b) considering the desirability of establishing a local co-ordinating
body to deal with the problems of the aged as a whole.
In the first instance the officers of the Local Health and Local Sanitary authorities,
together with those of the local medical committees, National Assistance Board and represent
atives of various voluntary organisations, met the members of the Hospital Management Committee
and after frank discussions the following Resolution was carried unanimously -
(a) That this Joint Meeting of representatives of the Health and
Welfare Authorities Local Medical Committees, National Assistance
Board Officers, Voluntary Organisations and the Leytonstone Hospital
Group recognising the need for a definite policy of co ordination
between the various Bodies responsible for the Care of the Aged are
unanimously of opinion that a Co ordination Committee should be set
up comprising representatives of the various official and voluntary
bodies present at this meeting for the purpose of considering from
time to time how the existing services for the elderly can best be
co ordinated and improved and to make recommendations thereon; and
(b) That as a preliminary step the nominated officers of the respective
Authorities and Organisations be authorised to explore the whole
problem and to report thereon for consideration by the Co ordination
Committee.
In October 1957 the Minister of Health issued a Circular 14/57 which reported on the
Survey the Minister had conducted through his officers of the facilities available to the
chronic sick particularly the aged chronic sick and infirm. In the report on Homes for the
Elderly which precedes this item I have written of the demand for housing accommodation for
the elderly as is known to us but we are aware that there are many more in need of care and
attention, and it is right that the responsible authorities, e.g. hospitals, welfare, local
health public health housing should meet together and seek a measure of co-operation.
However, without an adequate provision of beds for chronic sick, welfare hostel accommodation
and local authority housing, it is obvious that the problem cannot be solved and that there
will be a greater demand for hospital beds than can be adequately provided and I commend
the action of the Leytonstone (No.10) Hospital Group Management Committee in taking the
initiative in an endeavour to co relate the hospital, welfare and local authority services.
HEALTH WEEK EXHIBITION
In November 1956 at the request of the Chairman. I reported to the Public Health
Committee upon a proposal that a Health Week and Exhibition be held in the Borough during
1957, and the Committee resolved (a) that a sum of £250 be provided for this purpose in
the draft Revenue Estimates for the year 1957/58 and (b) that the Leyton Health Area Sub
Committee be asked to co operate in the arrangements for this venture.
In the following month the Public Health Committee instructed me to proceed with the
arrangements and an unofficial Sub Committee of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the two
Committees, together with the Medical Officer of Health, Chief Public Health Inspector and
the Chief Administrative Assistant was set up and they held several meetings regarding the
publicity and general ideas of presentation. Only a small percentage of environmental Health
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