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The good response to follow-up attendances at the clinic seems to
strengthen a general comment that the elderly appreciate this type of
service. The main advantage such a clinic offers is an unhurried atmosphere
with plenty of time to listen and to examine. Old people cannot be hurried.
It is considered that the mere act of talking over their problems with a
sympathetic listener was of value, just as the mere act of a medical examination
was, itself, of some therapeutic value.
Generally speaking, prevention is better than cure and so our aim
with the elderly should be to maintain them active, interested and useful
members of the community. It is hoped that Advisory Clinics of this type
will help in trying to achieve this end.
(H) LABORATORY FACILITIES
The examination of clinical material of public health significance is
carried our free of cost to the patient and doctor at the Central Public
Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London, N.W.10., (Telephone No.
Colindale 7041). The clinical material is collected each day by a van sent
by the laboratory calling about mid-day at the Harrow Hospital and at
Kynaston Court. The following is a summary of the examination of
material from this district carried out during the year:—
Nose and Throat Swabs 115
Faeces 311
Sputum 8
Others 13
(I) AMBULANCE SERVICE
The Accident and Sick Removal Branches of the service have now
been integrated and all vehicles and operational personnel are based
primarily in one of the ten depots. Number 6 depot is at Imperial Drive,
Rayners Lane, and Number 5, the County Headquarters for the
Ambulance Service is at The Mall, Kenton, (Telephone No. Dryden 0251).
Each depot has a small number of "satellite" stations at which some of the
ambulances and crews reserved for accidents and emergencies will be
located. Movement of all ambulances will be governed by an ambulance
control system based on the G.P.O. telephone system. Anyone requiring
an ambulance for an accident or an emergency will use the 999 or other
appropriate telephone system and be connected immediately to a control
which will direct the nearest available ambulance to attend.
HEALTH EDUCATION
The Department's Health Education programme for 1963 included
89 talks on subjects related to the work of the Health Department and
participation in Exhibitions including the one organised at the Council's
Delegate Conference.