View report page

other persons likely to have knowledge of accidents occuring in the
home and resulting in disability, slight or serious, or even in
death, were asked to notify this Department of such cases coming to
their knowledge. The response was very disappointing, as although
information was promised from many of these sources, in fact only
eight home accidents were notified - seven of these occurred to
young children, including three scalds, and all might have been
prevented by a little more care in such matters as keeping kettles
and teapots out of reach of young hands, and there seems to be a
considerable need for continuous education of the public on this
subject.
WELFARE
Old People
During 1953 thirty cases of old people in need of care and
attention were brought to the notice of the Public Health Department.
No patient was found to be in such conditions as to require Statutory
action under the National Assistance Act. Each case of this nature
requires a good deal of investigation as the needs of the patients
vary so much. In addition to the assistance detailed in the list
below, many of the cases required other help throughout the year, for
instance, several of those later removed to hospital were assisted
by obtaining Home Help, National Assistance Beard grants for provision
of extra bedding or household necessities, Home Nursing or a grant
from the Sick Poor Persons Fund instituted in 1952 with the money no
longer required by the District Nursing Association.
Details of progress of the thirty cases are as follows
Removed to hospital 8
Awaiting admission to Old People's Home 4
Removed to Old People's Home 3
Recuperative holiday 1
Removed to private nursing home 1
Remained at home 5
Died at home 2
Awaiting rehousing 2
Refused help 4
With regard to the 5 cases remaining at home, 1 was provided with
a Home Nurse, 3 with Home Help assistance and special comforts.
Disinfestation of one home was necessary.
- 47 -