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for little more than the bare necessities of" life. I have said that
more and more is being done each year for our old people. This
does not mean to say, however, that sufficient is being done, or
that all the efforts are being directed into the proper channels.
Nor does it mean that both gaps and duplication do not still exist.
It is increasingly obvious that the need for co-ordination stands out
as a clamant problem. As I see it and the Medical Officer of
Health has many opportunities to study this subject at first hand
the whole situation must be carefully reviewed so that adequate
attention is being paid to those aspects of the problem which call
for priority. Many people still alive will remember the days when
what was then known as maternity and child welfare was carried
on by a band of devoted women who considered it essential that
the problems of motherhood and infancy required more detailed
attention than was being paid to them by local authorities. From
these beginnings has sprung the vast, complicated machine which
deals with the care of mothers and children. And who can gainsay
the fact that the results obtained in this field over the past thirty
years have not justified and more than justified the time and money
spent on this invaluable work ?
Is not the time rapidly approaching when the same attitude
should be adopted towards our old folk ? It must be admitted
that much can be done by voluntary effort; it cannot be denied
that much is, in fact being done in Southgate. But are we yet
sure that the entire field is being covered, that too much effort is
not being spent on certain aspects of the problem to the detriment
of other factors ? Until we can be content that the welfare of the
older age groups of the population, age groups which are growing
every year, remains in the forefront of our minds; that all practicable
steps are being taken to give this matter the attention it demands,
we should not, indeed we cannot stand aside. Although a great
deal has been said and written on this subject, I cannot yet think
that the plight of some of these unfortunate old folk is properly
understood. This brings us back once again to the need for a
careful evaluation of the problem, when its extent and ramifications
will be clearly known and when our forces can be fully mobilised.
The older age groups of the population have every right to expect
special consideration. I am fully convinced that the burgesses of
Southgate would wish them to receive this consideration. The
old folk themselves would be the last to seek publicity. That is
one of my main reasons for ventilating this matter in my Annual
Report.
The Old People's Co-ordinating Committee has already met
on many occasions, has considered this problem, and is taking steps
to effect Co-ordination. I can think of no type of work which
would confer greater benefits on a section of the community which
mutely cries aloud for our sympathy and understanding.
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