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The remaining time was used by one of the Domestic Help Organisers to deal with a
number of administrative questions about which she felt there was some confusion, and
also some practical problems such as the surprisingly common practice amongst old
people of altering the clocks so that the Help stays over her time.
On the fourth afternoon the opening question was "What are the priorities of
housework in helping old people living alone?" followed by a talk by a Domestic Science
teacher which proved of the greatest interest to the Helps and provoked many questions.
For the second half they were divided into four groups, three of which were taken
by three Home Nursing Tutors from the nearby training home. Each had a bed with which
he or she demonstrated how to lift a patient further up the bed, and how to lift him
out into a chair and back into bed again. The Helps then had practice at doing this.
The fourth group was taken by the Domestic Science teacher for more intimate discussion
of points to do with housework. At intervals the groups moved on until each had been
with each instructor.
The first part of the fifth session was a competition "Which group can think of
the most causes of Home Accidents?" The lists produced were then discussed by the Home
Safety Organiser. There were very few that he mentioned that had not already been raised
by one of the groups, but they all felt they had learnt something.
The Chief Clerk of the Health Department then, by discussion with the use of
flannelgraphs, described the Domestic Help's place in the domiciliary team and the range
of services, statutory and voluntary, which are available to the aged.
Alderman Mrs.J. Hammond, O.B.E., J.P. gave an account of her life in the field of
Public Health which in view of her long experience was of great interest.
Two short films on Home Safety concluded the afternoon.
For the final session each group was given the case history of an actual case in
which some perplexing problem had arisen, with the question "What would you have done?"
Each was a rare or unique problem and was dealt with in turn in plenary discussion by
the Area Medical Officer, who then called each of the group leaders up to the platform
for a few words from each as to what she had found of most value on the course.
To close the proceedings the film "Guiseppina" was shown-a light-hearted picture
of an attitude in which the desire to give service and meet the needs of others brings
interest to life. This was perhaps superfluous but it made a most pleasant rounding off.
Whether the course achieved its aim is most difficult to assess but undoubtedly
there was virtue in meeting others with similar problems and a noticeable boosting of
morale and confidence. All the Helps asked said they had learnt a few tips they had not
known before, and a number have asked that another course should be held, as they had
enjoyed this one. Certainly in the few months that have elapsed since the course the rate
of resignation of Helps has dropped by half, though to what extent this is related to
recent wage awards one cannot say. Perhaps one may fairly feel that esprit de corps and
the feeling of being appreciated together with the realisation that you have many
colleagues facing the same difficulties is at least as strong a force as a few extra
shillings a week.
TOXAEMIA OF PREGNANCY
Following a trial period of 12 months commencing in May, 1961 the County Council
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