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has become available from various firms, both in the Borough and
elsewhere. This has increased the variety of work carried out.
Whilst only employed for two hours per day, the old people
appreciate a change in the type of work performed.
The other facilities provided by the Romford Borough Council
^holidays, coach outings, Christmas food parcels, and luncheon
centre—have been continued as in previous years, and at the end
of the year, endeavours were being made by the W.V.S. to expand
the meals-on-wheels service to housebound persons.
Residential Accommodation
A hostel for old people, Hillside, North Hill Drive, Harold Hill,
the first to be provided by the County Welfare Department in the
Borough was opened early in 1963. This home accommodates 63
persons.
Registered Nursing Homes
The three Nursing Homes registered to receive Chronic Sick
cases were inspected quarterly by me to ensure that the County
Council's bye-laws were being observed.
Home Nursing
23,136 visits were paid to the homes of 1,129 sick persons
during the year by the eleven full-time Home Nurses employed in
the area.
110 of these visits were to patients under 5 years of age, 7,538 to
patients over 5 years of age and under 65, and 15,488 to patients
over 65 years.
Children at Risk
An "At Risk" Register was commenced during the year to
enable any adverse factors connected with the newly-born infant,
whether related to the medical history of the mother, the pregnancy,
or the birth, to be recorded, and for the child itself to be followed-up
with a view to the detection of any defects at an early age, so that
treatment can be started as soon as possible.
Early detection of a handicap concerns all doctors responsible
for the care of children.
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