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tions on the number of patients maintained in
each home.
At the end of the year three nursing homes were
registered to which principal medical officers made
periodic visits of inspection,
No private premises in the borough have been
approved by the Secretary of State for Health and
Social Security as places for treatment for the
termination of pregnancy under the Abortion Act
1967 which came into operation on 27th April
1968
The Diploma of Public Health Assisted Training
Scheme
The scheme whereby medical officers are seconded
to a Diploma of Public Health Course and granted
leave of absence on full pay and payment of
course and examination fees has been in operation
since 1966
Dr, A.J, Lawson senior departmental medical
officer who was seconded to the 1967/68 course
not only gained the diploma but also was awarded
the highest marks of all candidates and on the
recommendation of the examining body Dr. Lawson
was awarded the Newsholme Prize and also the
Chadwick Trust Prize
A third medical officer was nominated to attend
a course during 1968'69
Establishments for Massage or Special Treatment
During the year ten establishments were licensed
by the council for the following purposes
Massage and electrical treatment 2
Epilation by electrolysis 1
Chiropody 4
Chiropody and massage 1
Chiropody and electrical treatment 1
Chiropody massage and electrical treatment 1
Each establishment was inspected by a medical
officer on one occasion during 1968
Mortuary Services
The borough council maintains a public mortuary
in Feltham to which bodies are admitted from the
urban districts of Staines Sunbury-on Thames
Chertsey, Egham, Esher Walton & Weybridge and
Woking the rural district of Bagshot, and the
London Boroughs of Richmond on-Thames and
98
Kingston on Thames. A nominal charge is made
for the use of the mortuary to the counci Is of the
above mentioned districts.
The coroner has directed that deceased persons
who were resident within the London Borough of
Hounslow and require to be removed to a public
mortuary shall be sent to the Hampton Mortuary
maintained by the London Borough of Richmond
on-Thames. The Council pays a nominal charge
for the use of this mortuary.
Burials
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act
1948 it is the duty of the council to arrange the
burial of any person who has died in the district
where it appears that there are no suitable arrange
ments for the disposal of the body. During 1968
eight burials were arranged in accordance with
this section
The Welfare Services in Hounslow
The welfare and health departments continued to
work in close co operation and I am grateful again
to Mr. D M. Fleet DPA DMA AISW, the borough s
Chief Welfare Officer for the following report
The Elderly
The policy developed during previous years of
enabling old people to remain in the community
by increasing the provision of domiciliary and
allied services was continued during 1968. One
result of this policy was the fact that the average
age of persons admitted to permanent residential
care was 82 years whereas 75 years was the
appropriate age before 1965
At the beginning of 1968 the borough council
had two day centres one in Feltham and one in
Brentford. This service was extended during the
year by the opening of a further day centre
adjoining Sandbanks a residential home at
Bedfont. Recreational and other facilities were
developed and the total number of meals served
at the three centres during the year amounted to
27 012 an increase of 23% over 1967. The Luncheon
Club in Isleworth which was opened in November
1967 gained considerable support and a total of
7 006 meals was served there in 1968 At the end
of the year it was very clear that similar luncheon
club facilities were necessary in other parts of the
borough and plans were being made to extend this