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RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
The Local Health Authority are empowered to provide recuperative
holidays for persons not in need of medical or nursing attention
and during the year 12 cases from the Borough have been sent away.
The length of convalescence was two weeks in each case.
CHIROPODY
Two chiropodists have continued to provide a service which covers
the whole of the Borough with the exception of the Woodford Bridge
district, patients from the latter district obtaining treatment through
arrangements made by the Old People's Welfare Association.
Whilst the service is adequate for those who are able to attend the
two clinics at which sessions are held, little can be done to provide an
adequate domiciliary service. It is still most difficult to obtain the
services of chiropodists qualified in accordance with the requirements
of the Ministry of Health.
Treatment is confined to persons of pensionable age and certain
priority categories such as the physically handicapped.
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
The Domestic Help Service has continued to provide service for
cases within the Borough requiring it on account of acute and chronic
illness. In addition immediate help has been made available in all maternity
cases requiring this service.
There are 104 domestic helps working in the Borough, and nearly
450 cases of acute and chronic illness alone were receiving help at the
end of the year.
In addition night attendance has been arranged in eight cases during
the year in order to provide a relative with the very necessary break
from continual day and night nursing.
The 'Meals on Wheels' service run by the Women's Voluntary Services
has continued to assist by augmenting the statutory service provided,
and by the use of an additional van it has been possible to provide
a hot meal for the elderly on four days a week.
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