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13
Disposable Equipment
The extended use of pre-sterilised disposable equipment i.e. syringes, swabs, gloves and emergency
dressings, has materially improved efficiency and safety.
Marie Curie Memorial Foundation
Help is given from this Foundation to terminal cases of carcinoma nursed at home. Night nurses were
provided for 10 patients during the year thus enabling relatives to have some rest through the most difficult
and trying periods. Two patients were provided with a day nurse. Bed-linen and extra nourishment was provided
for one patient. Two patients were supplied with the loan of a haemoductor suction apparatus by a
medical equipment firm on behalf of the Foundation.
INCONTINENCE PADS
Incontinence pads are provided by the Council free of charge to all incontinent patients who require
them, whether or not there is a Home Nurse in attendance. Requests for pads are received from General Practitioners,
Hospitals, Social Workers and others.
When patients have difficulty in disposing of soiled pads in their homes, the Council arranges for
them to be collected and disposed of by incineration at the Greater London Council refuse disposal plant at
Alperton.
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Vaccination and immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis
and smallpox was undertaken by Assistant Medical Officers at the Council's Clinics and by General Practitioners
as set out in the following programme :—
Age Immunised against
3 — 5 months Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (triple)
3 — 5 „ Poliomyelitis
12 —24 „ Smallpox
18 —21 „ Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (triple)
(reinforced injection approximately one year after initial course)
Further immunisation by an adsorbed vaccine against diphtheria/tetanus, and a reinforcing injection
against poliomyelitis were undertaken at A\ years (pre-school entry).
Under the above programme the numbers of children receiving immunisation and vaccination were as
follows :—
Smallpox Primary vaccination 3,156 (3,304)
Re-vaccinations 209 ( 217)
Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis Primary immunisation 5,639 (5,398)
Re-inforcing 3,256 (3,861)
Poliomyelitis Primary inoculation 5,870 (5,968)
Re-inforcing 3,339 (3,127)
(Figures for 1966 in brackets)
In accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 6/67 of 10th April, 1967, the Public Health Laboratory
Service ceased to distribute supplies of smallpox vaccine direct to hospitals and general practitioners with
effect from 12th June, 1967. Instead the Laboratory Service now supplies local health authorities who are
responsible for distributing supplies to hospitals and general practitioners in accordance with their requirements.
The Department obtains bulk supplies from the Central Public Health Laboratory at Colindale which
are kept in a deep freeze cabinet in the Maternal and Child Health Section at Brent House.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAY HOMES
The authority is empowered to arrange the admission of patients recommended by general
practitioners, hospitals and clinics to recuperative homes, provided their medical condition is such as to indicate
that they require no form of medical or nursing care, are able to walk and dress unaided, and fit to travel by
normal public transport. The arrangements are intended for patients requiring a short period of rest, fresh air
and good food to complete their recovery from a recent illness or set-back in health.
Patients in need of any form of medical and nursing care requiring convalescence are the responsibility
of the Regional Hospital Board.
During the year, the authority accepted financial responsibility for the maintenance of 102 persons in
recuperative holiday homes. Of these, 72 were admitted to such homes and 30 were cancelled or withdrawn.
Of the 72 cases admitted, 70 were adults and 2 were children under school age.
In addition, 33 school children were placed in recuperative homes under Section 48 of the Education
Act, 1944.
CHIROPODY
Table 13)
A chiropody service is provided by the Council for the treatment of the elderly, the physically handicapped,
expectant and nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age.