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It will be clear from these figures that a very large proportion of the resources of
this service goes to relieve the needs of the old folk who are ill or infirm in their own
homes. But for the help they get from the hard working and devoted women who give this
service, many of these people in the evening of their lives would be swelling the all too
lengthy hospital waiting lists and living in hardship or misery during the weeks or months
before their turn was reached. With the few hours attendance which they get each week from
the Home Help to keep their houses clean and tidy, to help them with their shopping, or to
prepare their meals, they can maintain an independent life in their own homes, among their
own treasured possessions, and among the community in which perhaps they have lived a great
part of their life. Not only is it a happier and altogether more natural existence to
remain within the main stream of affairs of a busy neighbourhood, but the final breakdown
of an infirmity is likely to be much longer delayed. This achievement alone would provide
a justification for a vigorous Home Help Service but the statistics show that this is by no
means the sum total of the good which it can do. To mention only a few, the relief of
anxiety and provision of a proper rest for the mother who has her baby at home, the tiding
of a household of the difficulties caused by sudden sickness of the housewife, and the
regular help which often means so much to the bedridden tuberculous patient, perhaps alone
for a large part of the day, are examples of a humanitarian service which contributes
immeasurably to the peace of mind and the progress of the patient. Many of the cases also
need the attentions of the Home Nurse but it can properly be said that the full benefit of
their nursing skill could not be reaped without the more hum-drum but none the less
essential service, which the Home Helps give.
The experiment which was tried last year of appointing a whole-time male Home Help
to assist with exceptionally difficult problems - for instance, where a formidable task of
cleaning was needed before the ordinary Home Help could hope to give her best - was such a
striking success that the Council agreed to additional appointments for this purpose, and
another man was duly taken on the staff and commenced duty in June.
During this year also the Council agreed to a special rate for Home Helps engaged in
households where there were cases of tuberculosis or infectious disease. This was intended
as a recognition for the additional care and trouble to which they would be put in carrying
out the necessary precautionary measures against infection. At the same time a formal
routine for the regular check on the health of these Home Helps was adopted and put into
operation with the object of protecting the Home Help herself„ These arrangements were
working smoothly at the end of the year.
SECTION 31 - MENTAL HEALTH.
The Mental Health Service has been administered by the Health Committee of the
local authority.
STAFF.
(a) Medical. The medical supervision, direction and administration is the
responsibility of the Medical Officer of Health, through his Deputy.
Ascertainment and medical examination of mental defectives is carried out by the
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, and by the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer, both
of whom have had considerable experience in this work. In addition three local general
practitioners, who are approved by the Ministry of Health, for the purpose of making
recommendations under Section 5 °f the Mental Treatment Act, 1930, are available when
required.
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