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PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE
AND AFTER-CARE
Clinics for Older People
There are two clinics for older people. Dr. Joan Ferreira reports
on the clinic at Amity Grove as follows: —
Dr. Whitfield started doing one session weekly in April, 1970,
so since then there have been three sessions a week except during
holidays. This has enabled us to shorten the time of waiting.
The demand for new appointments continues. Some of the
patients are self-selected, but there is also a trend for doctors to refer
their patients at special times, such as just before retirement or after
widowhood when they may be more than usually vulnerable.
I hope that the clinic is in this way being of service to those who
need it most.
Attendances were: —
Number of new patients seen in 1970 Male 31
Female 92
Number of re-attendances seen in 1970 Male 116
Female 357
Average age of new patients 60
Dr. W. B. James reports on the clinic at Middleton Road as
follows: —
Those who attend appear to appreciate the nature of the examination
and the thoroughness of the clinical arrangements.
I feel however that not much notice is taken of any mild suggestions
made for some patients who may require further investigations
and treatment.
Attendances were: —
Number of new patients seen in 1970 Male 18
Female 73
Number of re-attendances seen in 1970 Male 17
Female 39
Average age of new patients 57
The Geriatric Service
Dr. Peter Millard, the Consultant Geriatrician to the Borough
has contributed the following comments on the Service during the
year: —
'During 1970 there were 477 elderly people referred for the first
time to the geriatric services. Not all of these were admitted, some
being seen at Outpatients or as a domiciliary visit only. 427 patients
were admitted and there were 292 discharges to the community. The
services were strengthened by the opening of the administrative offices
at St. George's and the appointment of Miss Telling as a full-time
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