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Corporation van. Sheets make up the bulk of the laundry but night clothes and other
articles are included where necessary. The laundering is undertaken by a local firm.
At the end of the year there were approximately 100 patients receiving this service.
Pads, waterproof pants with disposable linings are also provided. Incontinent
pads, instead of sheets, are used where appropriate, thus reducing the laundering of
soiled bed linen. These are normally distributed by the district nurses. Used pads are
collected and destroyed whenever disposal is requested.
TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE
The service provided by Telephone Answering Services Ltd., was used for emergency
calls by the midwifery, mental health services and to some extent by the home
help service during the year. This service operates on a full-time basis for midwives
and at nights, weekends and holidays for mental welfare officers. The home help service
use this facility during Bank Holidays.
Radio Telephone Service.
Midwives and mental welfare officers continue to use the radio telephones which
are rented to the Council by Telephone Answering Services Ltd. Four sets are used
by the midwives and two by the mental welfare officers.
In using these radio telephone sets the aim is to provide a total 24-hour emergency
cover for both services.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS
The assessment of medical fitness of new entrants to the Council's service continued
to make heavy demands.
A completed medical questionnaire and a satisfactory chest X-ray examination
undertaken within the last twelve months are required of each new entrant.
A full physical examination is carried out in any case of doubt, and on all entrants
to teacher training colleges.
In addition, recommendations as to medical fitness to continue in the Council's
service were made following consultation with the family doctors concerned and
physical examinations.
The number involved over the year was:—
Total number of medical assessments 1,830 (1,733)
Total number of physical examinations 467 (462)
Total number examined for continued service 18 (62)
Total number found unfit for further service 12 (8)
The figures for 1969 are given in brackets.
ARTIFICIAL DIALYSIS
In accordance with the general approval issued by the Ministry of Health in
January, 1968, arrangements continue to be made, in collaboration with the Housing
Officer and the Borough Architect, for home renal dialysis units to be installed in
council and private properties for patients referred by various hospitals.
Five residents of the Borough have been helped under this scheme; one in 1968,
one in 1969 and three in 1970. The cost of adaptations has been as little as £15 in one
case and as much as £940 in another. There is little doubt that the service will continue
to expand and may well prove to be rather costly.
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