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The Authority also operate the Foundation's Area Welfare Grant
Scheme under which extra comforts may be supplied to a cancer
patient at the expense of the Marie Curie Foundation.
Incontinence Pads
The Authority continued the practice of issuing incontinence pads
at the request of the general practitioner or nurse in attendance.
Those patients who use these pads are provided with tarred
paper containers for disposal of the soiled pads through the refuse
collection service. There was an increased demand for these pads
during the year.
Incontinent Laundry Service
In conjunction with a neighbouring Authority, a collection and
delivery service of draw sheets is arranged, twice weekly, to patients
who have been recommended by a District Nurse. This service was
more widely used during the year.
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
Staff
At 31st December, 1968, the staff consisted of:—
1 Home Help Organiser.
1 Senior Assistant Home Help Organiser.
2 Assistant Home Help Organisers.
3 Clerks.
1 Full-time Home Help.
209 Part-time Home Helps.
Organisation
Recruitment has been maintained throughout the year, 69 Home
Helps being engaged, although 54 resigned during the year for a
variety of reasons. This turnover of labour is unfortunately common
in most London Boroughs.
Talks were given by the Home Help Organiser to Parentcraft
groups at Mitcham, Wimbledon and Morden, to Old People's Welfare,
and to Nurses and Student Health Visitors.
A Training Scheme was started for Home Helps in October
which was opened by the Chairman of the Health Committee. A
course is run each month from October to May, ceasing during the
summer months and re-commencing in the autumn, until all home
helps who are willing to attend the course have done so. These have
proved popular and instructive.
The Neighbourly Help Scheme has not really got off the ground,
although it is always stressed, when visiting, and in talks to other
interested bodies.
For the second year 'A Get Together for Home Helps' was held
one Saturday afternoon in December in the Vestry Hall which was
well attended, and a speaker was arranged to talk on the Organisation
of the Home Help Service.
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