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I am indebted to the Twickenham Branch of the British Red; Cross Society for
the use of their shop window front in the centre of Twickenham. This site is a
particularly good one for exhibition purposes. (See photograph page 39).
Talks are arranged for voluntary associations, parent and youth groups etc. and
these are invariably supported by films or slides. The health visitors are very active
in this field and group teaching is held by them during clinic sessions at welfare centres.
Ante-natal relaxation sessions held in association with parentcraft classes are taken by
health visitors and midwives. These take the form of a short talk followed by relaxation
exercises and finally a discussion. Midwives are concerned with ante-natal care
in the mothers home, at welfare centres and at family doctor clinics. (See page 28—
health visiting).
A booklet has been published giving details of talks supported by films and other
aids which the department is pleased to arrange. These booklets have been distributed
to all health department staff, family doctors, and voluntary organisations throughout
the Borough. As a result of this many requests have been received for talks on various
subjects.
HOME HELP SERVICE
Staff.
Home Help Organiser 1
Assistant Home Help Organisers 2
Home Helps — Whole-time 9
— Part-time 89
(Whole-time equivalent0 60.3)
(Permitted establishment 100)
(Budgeted establishment 70)
Mrs. H. C. Rowan, Home Help Organiser, retired on the 12th December, 1966,
after nearly 17 years in that capacity with the former Northern Division Surrey
County Council and since the 1st April, 1965, with the London Borough of Richmond
upon Thames. Mrs. J. E. M. Roberts, formerly an Assistant Home Help Organiser,
was appointed in her place and commenced duty as from the 13 th December, 1966.
Applications for the home help service are dealt with in the following order of
priority:—
1. Acute emergency cases.
2. Domiciliary confinements.
3. The tuberculous.
4. Other cases, i.e. chronic sick, aged, infirm, mentally disordered, etc.
Applicants are assessed to pay what they can afford according to financial circumstances,
but persons in receipt of supplementary benefit from the Ministry of Social
Security and those suffering from toxaemia in pregnancy receive the service free of
charge.
The standard charge for the service at the end of the year was 5/3d. per hour.
Cases given help during 1966 were as follows:—
Chronic sick and tuberculous 85
Mentally disordered 2
Maternity 100
Others 114 aged under 65
Aged 65 or over 805
Total cases helped 1,106
(Included above are 595 cases brought forward from 1965).
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