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My sincere thanks are due to the voluntary organisations in the Borough, too
numerous to mention by name, who have been most helpful throughout the year to the
Home Help Organiser. Many homes have been redecorated by various youth organisations,
shopping undertaken and help in all sorts of ways given in the many emergencies
which arise in a service provided for the needs of the sick and elderdy.
Night "Sitters-In" Service.
This service, which commenced in 1967, provides assistance during the night for
emergency cases. Help is provided where either no relative or neighbour is immediately
available or where relief can be given to relatives who have been caring for chronically
ill patients. The service is normally limited to three nights per week, with a maximum
of twelve nights for any one patient. This can only be increased with the approval of
the Chairman of the Social Services Committee.
The Council pay the "sitters-in" at the rate of 5/-d. per hour, or up to £2. 10. Od.
for a night's duty of ten hours. Persons receiving the service are assessed to pay to the
Council a charge according to means subject to a maximum charge of £2. 10. Od. per
night of ten hours. Persons in receipt of benefit from the Department of Health and
Social Security receive the service free of charge.
Details of patients helped under the "sitters-in" service during 1970 were as
follows: —
Total number of cases 17
Men 5
Women 12
The service was provided on an average of three nights per patient, during the year.
Patients paying full or part of
the cost of the service 15
Patients paying no contribution
to the cost of the service 2
Referred by: Family Doctors 2
District Nurses 10
Relatives 5
Hospital -
Geriatric Health Visitor -
The panel of "sitters-in" as at 31st December, 1970 was 16.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The year 1970 was, for the Mental Health Service, one of achievement in as much
as the Council's first 80 place purpose-built Junior Training School was opened at
Strathmore Road, Teddington, the hostel for young mentally subnormal adults was
opened at 11, Rosslyn Road, Twickenham, and the facilities at the Day Centre for the
mentally ill also at 11, Rosslyn Road, Twickenham, were extended. The need to rely
on other local authorities and voluntary organisations was, therefore, to some extent
reduced.
Further provision is envisaged in the Council's Plan for the Development of the
Health and Welfare Services over the next three years and this includes the establishment
of purpose-built premises for an 80 place adult training centre in Barnes, a day
centre for the mentally ill and a day centre for the elderly mentally infirm.
Consequent upon the opening of the new Junior Training School at Strathmore
Road, the former temporary centre at Harle House was closed. I would like to record
my thanks and appreciation to the Hounslow, Twickenham and District Society for
Mentally Handicapped Children for their help and co-operation during the Council's
temporary occupation of its headquarters over a period of two years.
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