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95
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
(Section 29)
Mrs. C. M. Hall, Domestic Help Organiser, reports as
follows:—
"1952 is so far the peak year with regard to domestic
help and the demand continues unabated. The service continues
to be administered along lines similar to those adopted
in previous years and during the year 1,990 visits were made
to patients and helps—776 more than in 1951.
"One more full-time and many more part-time workers
were enrolled to cope with the ever-increasing requests for
help, the number employed at the end of the year being
eight full-time and up to 189 part-time helps. The need for
more full-time helps is still urgent and the number of cases
carried forward at the end ot 1952 was 97 more than brought
forward from 1951.
"Below is a summary of the year's work:—
DOMESTIC HELP
Brought forward from 1951 339
New cases during 1952 325
Cases completed in 1952 228
No. of cases carried forward to 1953 436
Analysis:
Acule Chronic Old People T.B. Others Total
70 501 59 22 12 664
(not sick)
HOME HELP (for Confinements)
No. of cases completed in 1952 88
"The last quarter of the year is normally the worst and
the severe weather in November and December, particularly
the bad fog on December 5th-8th put a great strain on the
service: apart from adding more patients to the waiting list
the number of helps was reduced owing to sickness amongst
themselves or their families, thereby adding to the difficulties.
"It will be seen from the foregoing analysis that the
number of aged chronic sick has increased even further during
the year and continues to require the services of the majority
of part-time helps. Hospitals cannot cope with the everpressing
need, and at the earliest opportunity patients are
discharged home to be cared for by the Home Nursing and
Domestic Help services. Fortunately the number of tuberculous
patients requiring help remained low and all requests
for assistance were met.