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The order of priority of applications for the Home Help Service remains as before,
i.e. : —
1. Acute Emergency cases.
2. Domiciliary confinements and 48-hour hospital discharges.
3. The tuberculous.
4. Other cases, i.e., chronic sick, aged infirm, mentally disordered, etc.
Applicants in receipt of supplementary benefit from the Department of Health
and Social Security and those suffering from toxaemia in pregnancy receive the service
free of charge. In all other cases patients either pay the standard charge or are assessed
to pay according to their financial circumstances.

f Acute cases receiving help over a short period of time.
Each referral is assessed for domestic need by a home visit and during the year
934 referrals were made by various agencies. The total number of visits made by the
organising staff was 3,627.
Recruitment
The wage increase given to manual workers late in 1969 helped considerably in
the recruitment of home helps. The rise to 6/5fd. per hour and subsequently to 7/10d.
per hour meant that, for the first time, wages for domestic workers in the Council's
employ were approaching that paid in industry for unskilled labour even though there
still remains a considerable disparity between the rate paid to home helps and that
received in private domestic employment. The resultant rise in recruitment was such
that, at least for a time during 1970, the number of home helps employed was up to the
Council's establishment of 70 whole time equivalent.
It had been hoped, in 1970, to increase the field organising staff, because of the
considerable increase in work arising from the steady increase in the number of patients
and home helps and good neighbours. The organising staff establishment has not been
amended since the formation of the Borough in 1965. It was decided, however, to defer
this matter pending the setting up of the Council's Social Services Department.
Rates of Pay
Hourly payment is made to home helps in accordance with the Greater London
Joint Council negotiated rates of pay. Additional remuneration is given for work in
dirty homes and certain cases of infectious diseases.
Training
The Council's certificated In-Service Training Course for home helps is geared to
encourage staff to give a better service, improve their understanding and stimulate
interest, give confidence and to show the home help her place in the "Health Team".
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