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24.2 Because of the high initial cost, and regular maintenance required, the Borough
began to hire Ripple beds from a specialist firm for loan to patients who are in the
terminal stage of an illness. An alternating current distributes pressure over the bed and
inhibits the formation of decubitus ulcers. Only 1 Ripple bed was hired in 1967, but
the service has been extended and 13 were hired in 1968. A Destil electric still was
purchased in 1968 for use by a patient suffering from renal failure. The Borough has
also continued to supply incontinence pads and incontinence pants, the demand for
both of which increases steadily.
HOME HELP SERVICE
STATISTICS
25.1 The number of persons given help during 1968 was 3,109 compared with 2,956
in 1967 and 2,897 in 1966. The number of home helps, which rose from 172 in 1966
(whole-time equivalent) to 193 in 1967, fluctuated a little over the course of 1968 and
considerable difficulty was experienced in recruiting, particularly in the north of the
Borough, where there are particular travelling difficulties as well as competing demands
from private households. Because of the slight fall-off in the amount of home help service
available it was not possible to allocate the optimum number of hours required, but all
patients in need received some help.
STAFF
25.2 Efforts were made during 1967 to improve the standards of service by in-service
training (reported elsewhere) and by the issue of protective clothing. Negotiations to
provide home helps with outdoor clothing as a protection against inclement weather
began in 1966, but having been postponed because of financial stringency were successfully
concluded in 1967. The Council agreed to the issue of the following items on loan
to home helps:-
Full-time home helps
3 overalls (subject to three months' service)
1 pair of rubber gloves
1 mackintosh
1 storm cap
2 pairs of shoes
1 hold-all
subject to six months' service
Part-time home helps
2 overalls (subject to three months' service)
1 pair of rubber gloves
1 mackintosh
1 pair of shoes
1 hold-all
subject to six months' service
FUTURE TRENDS
25.3 More than two-thirds of the people receiving home help service are over sixty-
five years of age, and it is evident that with the high proportion of elderly people in the
community the demand for a home help service is likely to grow. As stated already,
however, even today's needs cannot be met. The home help's work must be seen to have
some worthwhile appeal and adequate rewards, or recruitment will flag. Miss K.M.
Atherton, the Principal Social Worker (Health Services), is devoting much time and energy
to the consideration of ways and means of improving the service and making it an integral
part of the Camden Family Service, including the possible reorganisation of the base
areas, and increasing the organising staff to give more effective supervisory support.
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