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106
"A total of 3,932 visits were made by the organisers during
the year; much visiting time was absorbed by frequent supervision
of cases where age and senility had produced a state of neglect in
health and home. The domestic helps have nobly undertaken this
difficult and often distasteful work with kindness and efficiency.
"Requests for help have increased slightly, mainly for chronic
aged sick. The number of tuberculosis cases has declinedbut hours
of service for this category of patient have shown an increase due
mainly to lack of help by relatives.
"Fewer calls to help problem families and for care of children
have been made than during last year. Maternity and acute sick
cases compare on an average with those of 1957.
"The following is a summary of the year's work:—
Brought forward from 1957 664
New cases during 1958 543
Cases completed during 1958 506
Number of cases carried forward to 1959 701
"Supervision of staff during working periods was more
frequently carried out, resulting in a good standard of work, less
absenteeism and more co-operation from the domestic helps, and
a special mention must be made of the excellent way in which the
domestic helps kept the Service running during the difficult period
of the 'bus strike in April-May, 1958.
"Staff employed at the end of 1958 was 197, including six
full-time workers. This is a decrease in number from 1957, but more
regular part-time helps are working an average of twenty hours
weekly, giving the requisite number of working hours required.
"Applicants for employment were numerous except in the
Woodford Green area. As a result of an advertisement made in
the local press in November there has been sufficient response to
provide a waiting list of suitable women prepared to work in this
part of the Borough.
"The satisfactory operation of the Service throughout the year
has been greatly helped as a result of the willing assistance given by
the health visitors, the Borough Council's 'Meals on Wheels'
organisation, and tribute must also be paid to the co-operative
attitude of the family doctors."