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6
took a pride in the efficiency of the services it administered, the previous
standard was sufficiently high that it would have needed to be something
very good to improve on it. However, even in such a district as this, as
long as the powers and duties given to the body administering the services,
a body that must needs be local if it is fully to be aware of and be anxious
to meet local needs, were sufficient to arouse and maintain the interest of
sufficiently experienced councillors to encourage them to remain on the
the committee controlling these services, then the arrangements might
have worked—but they are not doing so at present. The local committee
is just not being given that very necessary encouragement. Added to
this are the interminable delays which occur even in dealing with matters
of quite minor importance. The result is a sapping of interest which
cannot bring about any raising of the standard of service. In one sphere
there has been a marked improvement in this last year. The position of
many elderly chronics is one of great difficulty. A number of these elderly
persons find themselves not eligible for admission to the Old People's
Homes provided by the local authorities because they are bedridden,
but, on the other hand, cannot be accepted in ordinary general hospitals
because of the claims for admission of the acute cases. Many who should
be in an institution of some sort have to remain at home. A medical
officer who has now been appointed at the Edgware General Hospital has
reviewed the circumstances of everyone of those chronic patients waiting
for admission to the hospital and visits the home of every chronic sick
person to assess the urgency of each case from both medical and social
aspects. This, of course, does not add to the available accommodation,
but it does ensure that what accommodation there is for this class of
patient is put to the best use; and it does mean that there is someone
with whom a medical practitioner can get into touch to press for the admission
of those who he feels are especially urgent cases.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
CARYL THOMAS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Council Offices,
" Cottesmore,"
Uxbridge Road.
July 2nd, 1951.