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GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Hospitals
I can add little to the remarks which I have made in the
last few Annual Reports relating to the hospital services available
to the Burgesses of Wood Green, particularly the comments I
made in the Annual Report for 1959. The situation has altered
very little, and it is still particularly difficult to obtain
admission to hospital of aged persons who are not acutely ill.
I invariably try to assist any general practitioner who asks for
my help, and am happy to say that the support which I have been
able to give general practitioners has, in many instances, proved
successful.
Care of the Aged
It is extremely pleasing to be able to report that the Old
People s Centre is proving of the greatest value to old people,
and that in many ways it is adding considerably to their comfort
and well-being.
As the Council is aware, l am hoping, as Area Medical Officer,
to institute a clinic for old persons at the Old People's Centre.
Up to the present, however, the project has had to be held up,
as I am extremely anxious to ensure the full co-operation of all
general practitioners before any further steps are taken. I have
done my best to make it clear that this Old People's Clinic will
be much more social than medical. Although simple medical examinations
may be undertaken by the Medical Officer in charge, i.e.
urine testing, sight testing, blood pressure examination, etc.,
no attempt will be made to carry out any more elaborate examinations,
On the other hand, we will try to help the old people by
suggestions as to future employment, hobbies, diet and the like.
In shorty our aim will be to try to keep old people healthy and
to obviate the need for a visit to their general practitioner.
As will be seen we should not in any way be encroaching on general
practitioners' preserves, but should actually help them in their
work. I have every hope that the problems which exist at present
will be resolved within the near future, and am quite sure that
we will have the goodwill of all the general practitioners within
the Borough.
As I have mentioned in previous reports, our Health Visitors,
Home Nurses and Home Helps continue to assist the aged in every
possible way.
Laboratory Facilities
As in past years, the Central Public Health Laboratory Service
has been of the greatest assistance to us, not only the Central
Laboratory atColindale, but also theLaboratory housed in Coppetts
Wood Hospital, where Mr. McGimpsey is the Bacteriologist. I
gratefully acknowledge the assistance afforded throughout the
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