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holidays periods, we are forced to ration the service to a few cases
in order to provide a service for those in greatest need.
There were approximately 120 part-time Domestic Helps engaged
in the homes of patients throughout the year. 859 patients were
helped and the total number of hours service given amounted to
121,507. Equivalent figure for 1961 were 772 patients 105,803
hours. Once again more than half the patients assisted (528) were
in the category for aged chronic sick, 82,610 of the total number of
hours being provided for them. Corresponding figures for 1961
were 463 cases and 69,722 hours. It will thus be seen that almost
the whole of the increase in this service is attributed to the larger
number of aged chronic sick patients assisted.
Night Attendance Service
In 1962, 20 patients were provided with a night attendant the
total number of hours service involved being 1,332. The categories
for which attendants were provided were as follows:—
Hours
Patients Involved
1. Patients residing alone who were
seriously ill 5 159
2. Patients seriously ill in their own house,
where an aged husband or wife could
not provide the necessary assistance 3 198
3. The relief of relations who had to give
routine night attention to sick people 12
This service is administered by the Domestic Help Section and
throughout the year the services of two night attendants were available
when necessary.
Care of the Aged
In August 1962, the Romford Borough Council established a
workshop for the elderly to provide light employment for the
elderly in a light and happy atmosphere. Initially the workshop
provided employment for 34 people, each of whom work for two
hours per day, either on the morning or the afternoon shift. Those
attending have been most enthusiastic and are very reluctant to be
absent. Attendances have remained consistently well over 90%
throughout the period the workshop has been in operation, and
even in the very thick fog in December, 50% of the orning shift
and 66% of the afternoon shift managed to be present
There is no doubt that the workshop provides an interest for
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