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61
FOR THE PERMANENTLY ILL
There is a need for more hospital accommodation for those
who are permanently ill—particularly on geriatric lines—and there
seems at present to be a gap in the health services in this respect.
Provision is made to treat those Who are temporarily sick. Provision
is made for those who are not well, but for those who are
permanently ill there seems to be insufficient official provision.
HELPERS
More helpers are still wanted for the Meals on Wheels Service,
as Domestic Helps, and as Night Sitters-in.
DOMICILIARY CHIROPODY
In order to assist those elderly persons unable by reason of
illness or infirmity to attend the County Council's Foot Clinic, even
with the aid of transport, the Walthamstow Old People's Welfare
Committee have agreed to accept financial responsibility for
chiropody treatment to be provided in their own homes.
During 1955, fifteen patients received domiciliary treatment,
and the total treatments given were 19 at a cost of £9 19s. 6d. The
ages of the persons concerned were :—
Males 64 years to 90 years
Females 67 years to 89 years
The approval of the family doctor as to the need for treatment
and as to non-ambulancy is sought.
An increasing amount of time of the medical, health visiting,
home nursing, and domestic help services and of the sanitary
inspectorate was required in regard to old people's welfare. The
need appears to be for increased services in the following directions,
especially those which help in assisting with domiciliary treatment :
(1) "Meals on Wheels" daily. (2) Ample home nursing
and domestic help facilities, including weekend help. (3) Increased
chiropody facilities at clinics and in the home. (4) Companion'
ship, sitters-in and occupational therapy. (5) Increased Part III
accommodation and long and short stay annexes. (6) More
Hospital beds for the aged and chronic sick.
The Glasspool Trust has again been ready to help in cases of
hardship, particularly with the supply of bedding.
The Area Officer of the National Assistance Board has again
been most co-operative and has been helpful in making money
grants for bedding, clothing and laundry; this was supplemented by
the Health Department by the retention of mattresses and other
items removed at the request of the owners for destruction after
infectious disease. Where some use remains, the mattresses are