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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:—
'During 1972, 107 patients were seen at the clinic—an increase
of 17 over 1971, and 719 old patients were seen, an increase of 42 over
1971.
'The waiting list has continued to grow and this means that the
clinic is meeting a need in older people.
'The occasions when some major abnormality is found during
examinations are comparatively few, although it has sometimes been
necessary to make immediate consultations with the family doctor or
the hospital pathologist. Sometimes conditions are revealed which may
require further investigation and treatment in which case the patient
is referred to his own doctor. One tries to use the medical examination
as a basis for discussion and explanation so that the patient can
get his complaint in perspective and can be helped to see how much
he can help himself. This reduces anxiety and introspection and, it is
hoped, also relieves pressure on the family doctor.
'It is felt that the annual medical inspection is important and
that in order to be of maximum benefit, it must be unhurried. At
second and subsequent visits, patients know the clinic staff better;
they have more confidence, and it is often possible to give them more
help than when they first came.
'The health visitor works closely with the doctors and continues
the counselling begun at the first visit, paying special attention to the
more vulnerable people, i.e., those living alone, the recently bereaved,
and those looking after sick or handicapped relatives, and the recently
retired. She also sees patients with special health problems, such as
obesity, anxiety or depression.'
Attendances were:—
Number of new patients seen in 1972 Male 27
Female 80
Number of re-attendances in 1972 Male 150
Female 569
Average age of new patients 67
Dr. W. B. James makes the following observations on the Middleton
Road Clinic:—
'The clinic continues to fulfil the need for older people to be
given a medical assessment and certainly from those who attend one
gets the impression of appreciation of the services offered.
'In terms of early warning or early diagnosis of certain cases of
diabetes and urinary infection and severe hypertension, there has been
an appreciation of the discovery.'
Attendances were:—
Number of new patients seen in 1972 Male 23
Female 49
Number of re-attendances in 1972 Male 28
Female 68
Average age of new patients 64
46