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2. Mental Illness or Mental Deficiency.
The arrangements for the care and after-care of persons suffering from mental
illness or mental deficiency have been fully described in the Mental Health section of
the report.
3. Other Types of Illness.
Close co-operation has continued, and even extended, between general practitioners,
hospital staffs and officers of the department for the alleviation of the numerous medical
and medico-social problems which hinder a patient's progress. This has applied with particular
force in the field of geriatrics. The assistance given by the Home Nursing, Domestic Help,
and the other services are described in appropriate sections of the report.
Provision of Nursing Requisites.
The arrangements for the loan of nursing equipment to domiciliary patients continued
as in previous years, issues in respect of tuberculous cases being made from the Chest Clinic
whilst those for other cases of illness are supplied from the Health Office and the Home
Nurses Headquarters at Liverpool Road. Details of the equipment lent are given in the
following table:-
Nursing Equipment Loaned during the year 1954.
Article
Number loaned to
Total
Tuberculosis Patients
Other Patients
Air-rings
8
52
60
Back-rests
10
67
77
Bed cradles
-
7
7
Bed Pans
1
62
63
Bed Tables
-
2
2
Hot Water Bottles
-
3
3
Lifting Apparatus
-
1
1
Rubber Sheets
-
46
46
Sorbo Pillows
-
6
6
Sputum Pots
4
-
4
Urinals
3
26
29
Wheel Chairs
--
25
25
TOTAL
26
297
323
4. Convalescence.
The arrangements for the provision of convalescence in cases where no active medical
or nursing care is necessary, were again fully used during the year, 14-3 adult persons being
recommended for recuperative holidays, an increase of 17 over the previous year.
The sources of reference were:-
General Practitioners 96
Hospitals 28
Chest Clinic 15
Other 4
65