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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 8 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 a
domiciliary service; as many as possible of these cases are conveyed to
the clinic by transport, either by ambulance or by voluntary workers.
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 maintained the service of Home Helps
to those within the Borough who have been in need of general household
assistance through old age, chronic or acute illness, maternity needs
and accidents. There have also been homes provided with the service
where it has been necessary for the mother of the home to enter hospital
and the children have needed care and attention in her absence.
The year, commencing with its intensity of winter months, held severe
problems in maintaining the service, particularly for the elderly and
their shopping necessities. Throughout these months the domestic staff
gave cheerful and loyal service, many walking several miles when
transport was delayed.
At the close of the year the following patients were receiving domestic
service:—
Aged patients 302
Maternity cases 6
Patients under 65 years of age 50
Acute sick 2
Family with mother in hospital 1
Family with young twins necessitating help
for temporary period 1
Calls upon the service have been received from hospitals as patients
are discharged to their own homes and from the Health Visitors and
District Nurses.
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