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20
INCONTINENCE SERVICE
Incontinence pads are provided free of charge to all incontinent patients and handicapped who need
them. They are either delivered to their homes or may be collected from certain Clinics or Health Centres.
Requests are received from general practitioners, hospitals, home nurses and health visitors. 117,450 pads
were issued in 1971 and 1972.
There is also a service for the collection of soiled pads and dressings for patients who have difficulty
in disposal, and these are incinerated at the Greater London Council refuse disposal plant at Alperton.
There is also an incontinent laundry service for the aged operating in the Borough which is administered
by the Council. The articles are laundered at Neasden Hospital by arrangement with the Central
Middlesex Group Hospital Management Committee, and at Colindale Hospital under a similar arrangement
with the Hendon Group Hospital Management Committee. Transport is provided by the Borough Council.
Patients are referred by hospitals, doctors, home nurses and relatives. The service enables patients,
who might otherwise have to be admitted to hospital, to be nursed at home and more beds are thus available
for urgent cases. It is greatly appreciated by the patients and their relatives. The service frequently operates in
conjunction with the issue of incontinence pads. Over eight tons of laundry was laundered by the hospitals in
1971/1972.

VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Vaccination and immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis
and measles was undertaken by Medical Officers at the Council's Clinics and by General Practitioners as set
out in the following programme:—
During first year of life Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (first dose)
Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (second dose)
Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (third dose)
During second year of life Measles vaccination
At five years of age or school entry *Diphtheria/tetanus or oral poliomyelitis vaccine or
*Diphtheria/tetanus/poliomyelitis vaccine
* re-inforcing immunisation
Under the above programme the numbers of children receiving immunisation and vaccination were
as follows:—
Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough Primary immunisation 4,596 (5,091)
Re-inforcing 3,022 (3,360)
Poliomyelitis Primary immunisation 4,569 (5,082)
Re-inforcing 2,761 (3,230)
Measles Primary vaccination 2,160 (2,804)
(Figures for 1971 in brackets)
In addition 621 girls in their fourteenth year (i.e. aged 13) were vaccinated against Rubella (German
Measles).
It is interesting to note that the fall in the birth rate is approx, 500 children, which is almost the
same as reflected in the immunisation and vaccination figures. It suggests, therefore, that the rates have
remained about the same.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Council is empowered, under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act 1946, to arrange recuperative
holidays for patients, who have had recent medical or surgical illness, but have sufficiently recovered
that they do not require any form of medical or nursing care, are able to walk and dress unaided, and are fit
to travel by public transport. These holidays are usually recommended by the general practitioners, hospitals
and clinics; and are intended for patients to have short periods of rest, fresh air, good food, etc. Which
enables them to recover from their recent illness and set-back in health.
During 1972, Council arranged and accepted financial responsibility for 44 persons in recuperative
holiday homes, and of these 24 were admitted to such homes and 20 cancelled or withdrew. A further 17
applications were received, but were declined as not falling within the scope of the scheme.
In addition, 13 children were placed in recuperative holiday homes under Section 45 of the Education
Act 1944.
Patients who require convalescence but are in need of medical and nursing care are the responsibility
of the Regional Hospital Board.