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This scheme has now been running for nearly two years and I am
grateful to the General Practitioner concerned and the Health Visitor
for a detailed report on the working of the scheme, extracts of which
are set out below:—
The doctors and the Health Visitor meet at least once a week and the
former have brought to the notice of the Health Visitor such patients
or families whom they thought could be assisted by her. The Health
Visitor, armed with such information as was necessary, has then visited
the home or the person concerned. Almost always she has been welcomed
and her assistance received with gratitude.
During the two years there has been in this way direct co-operation
in over 100 cases of social need. These have ranged from the common
problems of childhood and old age to the more complicated and intimate
affairs of personal or family life. For some of these latter problems
the following solutions have been evolved:
1. Priority housing has been obtained to bring together an otherwise
separated family and the members concerned encouraged to start
again.
2. Housing repairs have been obtained for a family who had moved
from one part of the Borough to another.
3. Recuperative holidays have been arranged for at least two elderly
people.
4. Two children who were involved in problem families have been
helped by admission to Boarding Schools.
5. The N.S.P.C.C. Inspector has been put in touch with a suitable
case which resulted in a prosecution.
6. Play activities and playmates have been arranged for one or two
lonely or difficult children.
7. Neighbourly care of children or visiting of old people have been
encouraged in a number of cases.
8. The British Red Cross Society, local branch, has co-operated in a
number of cases requiring transport.
Apart from this, an Old People's Birthday Visitation Scheme has
been commenced though this is not yet in full swing and a Toddler and
Baby Clinic has recently been started at the Practice Premises.
All those involved have enjoyed the experience of sharing the social
care of their patients and they know that the help given has been
appreciated by the recipients.
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