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GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Hospitals.
The provision of hospital beds for Southgate residents has
shown no material alteration since my last Report was issued. On
the whole, from what I can learn, the admission of acute cases to
hospital, both medical, surgical and gynaecological, has shown a
tendency to ease, although it could not yet be said that the situation
is entirely satisfactory. Until recently, most hospitals had comparatively
lengthy waiting lists for children requiring admission
to hospital for the removal of tonsils and adenoids. I am informed
that these waiting lists have been quite drastically reduced, although
it must be admitted that many of us are still not satisfied that the
removal of tonsils and adenoids is always confined to those cases
where operative treatment is definitely indicated. That, however,
is a matter over which I have little control, either as Medical
Officer of Health or as Area Medical Officer. The demand for
maternity beds in hospitals has started to fall, and will continue
to fall in almost direct proportion to the availability of adequate
housing. Where a hospital bed was required, little difficulty was
found during the year in arranging for this to be provided.
When it comes to the admission to a chronic hospital or to
an institution of elderly, infirm persons, the position is still
extremely gloomy. It must be appreciated that, when hospital beds
are at a premium, these beds should be available for acute cases
who require careful nursing and supervision, possibly with an
operation. On the other hand, we know only too well that a
number of elderly, infirm persons have to remain at home, receiving
only such attention as can be provided by the Home Nursing
and Home Help Services, and by charitable neighbours and voluntary
organisations. We are quite aware that our domiciliary
services are designed to reduce the demand on hospital beds;
indeed, that is the principle which we always have before us. There
must still, however, be a percentage of elderly persons who should
be in a chronic hospital because they cannot receive adequate attention
in their own homes. In many cases these unfortunate individuals
are virtually left alone for lengthy periods, both by day and
by night, since the most that can be arranged is periodic visits from
one or more of the sources indicated above. This is far from
satisfactory, and must surely be regarded as a stigma on the social
services available to the most vulnerable section of the community.
Southgate is particularly unfortunate in this respect. The
largest general hospital in Southgate, Highlands Hospital, covers
a wide catchment area, including South Islington. I am creditably
informed the Highlands Hospital is only able to admit elderly
persons from Southgate, either to the hospital itself or to one or
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