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8
The Geriatrician based at Kingston Hospital has the services of
a full-time Health Visitor and is able to visit and assess the needs of
all cases reported as requiring admission to hospital.
Continued shortage of beds in Hospitals and Homes causes delay
in admission during certain months of the year, but a desperate case
is invariably admitted in a very short time. Cases awaiting admission
are supervised by the Geriatric Health Visitor while those who are in
frail health are visited by the general Health Visitors.
A great deal is done to assist the aged by the local voluntary
services through schemes such as "Meals on Wheels", Old Peoples'
Clubs, Chiropody, etc. The Barnes Day Club was first opened in
March, 1958 in an attempt to alleviate the pain and loneliness of
severely handicapped men and women living in the borough. It soon
proved to be an outstanding success and in 1960 it was transferred
to its own well equipped premises on a site at Mortlake Green. It
now opens on three days each week and the whole organization is a
remarkable example of the excellent results that can be obtained by
enthusiastic voluntary workers.
Laundry Service.
The Council acts as an Agent for the County Council in providing
this service. It is confined exclusively to patients who are
incontinent, and articles laundered are limited to sheets and draw
sheets.
Although the number of cases served is small, the benefits to
exhausted relatives are enormous. It enables them to nurse at home
in comfort a patient who otherwise would have had to be admitted
to hospital.
Sheets are collected from the patients' homes every Tuesday and
Friday and at the same time an appropriate number of clean sheets
is issued. A charge of sixpence per sheet is made, which is no hardship,
since the cost is covered by a supplementary allowance where
patients are in receipt of National Assistance.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47.
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, Section 1(i).
Perhaps one of the most troublesome problems is how to deal with
old people who resent any interference. Often they are living alone
and, over a period of years, they have neglected themselves and their
accommodation. Every effort is made to persuade them to accept the
services of a Home Help, District Nurse or Meals-on-Wheels and
other voluntary services. Frequently this is successful, and the old
person gradually begins to appreciate the help given, and to improve
both physically and mentally.