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It is eventually intended that Chingford Hospital will become
a General Hospital, but the immediate practice is to transfer postoperative
and certain medical cases from other hospitals in the
Group and to continue the admission of light medical cases from
the surrounding area.
7. Aged and Chronic Sick.
National Assistance Act, 1948 (Section 47).
Five patients were investigated as to the possibility of compulsory
removal through their not being in receipt of adequate
care in their homes.
Case (1).—Female reported by Housing Department, 13th
January. On disharge from hospital after rehabilitation, domestic
help was provided, but the patient's doctor did not consider it
safe for the patient to live by herself, owing to loss of memory. She
at first declined admission to Part III accommodation, but accepted
it in April.
Case (2).—Female, aged 87 years. Patient reported by Sanitary
Inspector 27th February. Several other members of family residing
in same house, but daughter who primarily cared for her mother
was admitted to hospital, and granddaughter expecting baby almost
at once. Bed arranged at Langthorne Hospital, but removal refused
by patient when ambulance called. Visited and told of possibility
of compulsory removal, and then agreed to enter hospital voluntarily.
Admitted 2nd March.
Case (3).—Female, aged 80 years. Circumstances reported by
District Sanitary Inspector, 1st May. Ill in bed, had been given no
solid food for some time, no coal or fire and accommodation dirty.
Patient reported to be a chronic drunkard, separated from husband
and children not interested. Family doctor had requested hospital
admission and the patient's name was on the waiting list. On
visiting the patient, she was found to be very confused and when
the Domestic Help Organiser called, one of the married daughters
from the West Country was visiting her mother and had been able
to make arrangements for another daughter to look after her
mother, pending hospital admission. Home nursing was also
arranged and admission to hospital was effected on the 29th May.
Case (4).—Female, aged 83 years, reported by family doctor
11th May, who requested compulsory removal and loan of a dry
mattress. Acute incontinence and bedsores. On visiting, patient
found to be cared for by other tenant, and daughter called daily.