View report page

50
year by participating in RoSPA national campaigns and by
carrying out local projects when the opportunity arises.
Examples were an exhibition at the Ilford Horticultural Society's
Annual Flower Show and window displays made possible by
the kind offer of the manager of a local Building Society.
Talks and films have been given to local organisations and
youth clubs and literature has been distributed on a wide
scale.
Comment
Talks at ante-natal relaxation classes have remained
constant throughout the year. Work in the schools has steadily
increased except for the seasonal "drop" due to summer
holidays. Talks and courses to adult and other voluntary
organisations have been established, though there is a great
deal of scope for health education courses at youth clubs.
Convalescent Treatment Facilities exist to send away on convalescent holiday
persons recovering from debilitating illnesses. On the whole,
the purpose of the holiday is to enable the convalescent more
quickly to resume normal life and work. The service is particularly
valuable for people suffering from such conditions
as chronic bronchitis, although it has been found useful also
in the rehabilitation of nervous disorders.
Cases are referred by hospitals and by family doctors and
the convalescence may be spent at the seaside or in the
country, although there is a marked preference for seaside
convalescence. The service complements that provided on the
one hand by the Regional Hospital Board for patients who
need nursing care and that provided by the Welfare Section
of the Department which provides holidays for the elderly.
A contribution towards the cost of the convalescent holiday
is made by the patient after assessment.
During the year 113 cases received this service.
Provision of Sickroom Equipment The Department holds a very large stock of sickroom
equipment, which is issued on loan to persons requiring it
because of illness at home. A list of the equipment available
is shown in Appendix 15. Items in particularly brisk demand
are invalid chairs, air rings, commodes, rubber sheets,
bedpans and urinals. Large quantities of disposable paper
pads for incontinent patients are issued weekly. If the family
is unable to dispose of the soiled sheets by burning, they are
collected and burnt in the furnace at Goodmayes Hospital.