View report page

Case IV.
Male aged 83 years. This patient, who was blind and living alone sustained an
injury to his back as the result of a fall and became confined to a downstairs
back room where no proper facilities were available and apart from the tenant of
the house who suffered from epilepsy had no one to look after him. The premises
were in an insanitary state and despite full home nursing and domestic help and
other services provided, his condition deteriorated. Arrangements were made on
two separate occasions by the private practitioner for his admission to hospital
but he refused to go. An order was obtained under the National Assistance
(Amendment) Act and admission to Langthorne Hospital arranged. No extension of
the order was necessary as he agreed to remain in hospital voluntarily until
considered fit for discharge.
Incidence of Blindness.
The Local Authority's duties under the National Assistance Acts are administered
by the Welfare Committee of the Council through its Chief Welfare Officer and Blind
Welfare Officer.
Arrangements are made for the examination of adults suspected of being blind or
partially sighted and the requisite form B.D.8 is completed as necessary for such cases by
the examining ophthalmic surgeon.
In the case of pre-school and school children, such examinations are arranged
through the School Health Service and the relevant forms are passed to the Chief Welfare
Officer.
In both categories, admission to the Registers of Blind and Partial Sighted Persons
are effected as necessary in order that appropriate arrangements for their supervision,
care and training may be made.
The Ministry of Health nov ask Medical Officers of Health to include in their annual
reports a section relating to Blind Persons. The information given below has been made
available through the courtesy of the Chief and Blind Welfare Officers from the statistical
returns normally submitted to the Ministry.