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the admission of a patient to hospital, other than those cases already
mentioned, we obviously cannot dissociate ourselves from such an
important aspect of preventive medicine. This, of course, is one of
the drawbacks produced by the National Health Act 1948, when
hospitals previously under the control of local authorities were
brought under the direction of Regional Hospital Boards. Previous
to 1948, our relations with local authority hospitals—and we
operated one of these ourselves—were close and cordial. I must
add, of course, that my own relations with the staff of surrounding
hospitals—I would especially mention Highlands Hospital—leave
nothing to be desired. But there must come a time when the
present generation of Medical Officers of Health have passed, and
when, presumably, the gap between local authorities and the
hospitals serving their districts is not so close as it still is today.
One can only hope that this day is still distant, but it is a possibility
which one cannot logically avoid.
Care of the Aged.
It would indeed be a truism to say that care of the aged is
assuming a significance which demands the most urgent attention.
In a district such as Southgate, with its ageing population—the fact
that 71.65% of total deaths occurred in persons over the age of 65
is evident of this situation—care of the aged assumes particular
importance.
The Public Health Department is always prepared to help in
every way possible while, of course, the Area Health Office is
intimately associated through its Health Visitors, Home Helps and
Home Nursing Service, with aged persons. I personally look
forward eagerly to the day when the Old People's Centre in Southgate
will be functioning.
In this connection, I have for some time been considering the
possibility of setting up an Old Persons Clinic in Southgate a
proiect for which the Old Persons Centre might be ideally suited.
Old Persons Clinics, at which advice can be given and even certain
simple medical examinations carried out, have already proved their
worth, especially when run in conjunction with an established
geriatric service. I am of opinion that this type of project calls for
careful consideration, although I do not yet know whether or not
the Old People's Centre could be used for such a purpose. This is
a matter which would naturally require discussion and consultation
at a later date.
In the meantime, the Public Health Department and the Area
Health Office are continuing their efforts to alleviate distress and
ill-health among the aged. It is quite obvious that much remains
to be done. Housing for the aged — and Southgate is already
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