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GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Care of the Aged
The increasing number of elderly people in the community
entails a constant increase in the scope and size of the problems
relating to the aged. Much of the time and thought of the Medical
Officer of Health is spent dealing with such problems and in this
field there is particularly close contact between the Health
Visitors, Home Nurses, Home Help Organisers, and Public Health
Inspectors.,
The members of the Old People' s Welfare Committee continue
to give generously of their time and effort in this service.
The Retired Persons Advice Clinic which was initiated last
year continues to serve a useful function, It is held at Woodside
House on alternate Friday afternoons and is staffed by one of the
County Assistant Medical Officers - Dr. Esther Waterhouse together
with a member of the nursing staff. The multitude of
social problems which adversely affect the health of the elderly
make suck an informal consultative clinic a valuable asset in
preventive medicine.
Laundry Service for Sick Aged Persons
In May 1963, a laundry service for aged incontinent persons
was set up in Wood Green to serve also the Borough of Southgate
and the Urban District of Friern Barnet. The whole of the work is
carried out at the laundry attached to the CoupciP s Swimming Bath
in Western Road. I am pleased to report that the arrangements
made have worked admirably, that the service provided has been a
success, and, furthermore, that I am satisfied it has supplied the
solution to a very difficult problem.
In the chiropody service also there is some progress to
report. We have obtained the additional services of a part-time
chiropodist on the area staff and are now able to hold 4 sessions
of chiropody per week at Stuart Villa. Additional time has also
been made available for home treatment.
Hospitals
The General Hospital services available to the people of Wood
Green continue as in previous years. The appointment last year
of a Geriatrician has certainly eased some of the difficulties in
the hospital admission of elderly patients. The outstanding
shortage is in maternity bed accommodation and this whole question
is at present under review.
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