London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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41
On 27th May, 1970, a chiropody service was commenced at Glebelands, one of
the Council's old people's homes. Initially the service has been limited to one
session a week but it is hoped to increase this number in the next year.
The low level of recruitment of chiropodists still continue and causes a
waiting time of an average of 8 weeks although the staff do try and accommodate
urgent cases as far as humanly possible.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Details of the holidays arranged for adults and children who have suffered from recent acute illness and who needed a short period of rest without medical or nursing care are set out below:-
| 1969 | 1970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | 230 | 360 |
| Children under 5 not attending school | 21 | 28 |
| Schoolchildren.. | 145 | 215 |
ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY MACHINES
Early in 1968 the Minister of Health gave local authorities general approval
to make adaptations to homes of individuals who need an artificial kidney
machine. During the year adaptations were carried out in one home and preparations
were being made for installing a machine in another home.
HOME HELP SERVICE
The service continued to be organised from four area offices. The reasons
for giving home help are various; help during pregnancy, help where a patient
has had to go into hospital and in certain cases help where the home circumstances
are difficult. However, the main proportion of the service is given to the
elderly in the borough who cannot cope for a variety of reasons particularly
illness and infirmity on their own. Help is not restricted to pure domestic
chores but includes help with shopping and other similar services. Every attempt
is made to provide some assistance to all eligible cases, and at times, mainly
due to shortage of home helps, it is necessary to spread the available service
somewhat thinly.
Because circumstances were propitious in that certain of the staff had
left it was suggested to the Health Committee that the Home Help Service should
be given free. The saving on the cost of administrative time would approximately
balance the income received from levying charges. However, the Council
did not approve the scheme and assessments continued to be made and charges
levied in the appropriate cases.
Meetings with the home help organisers are held monthly, when matters of
common concern are discussed.
Three training courses for home helps were held during the year. They
were held at Shoreditch Health Centre and 44 home helps attended. Follow-up
day courses were also arranged and 16 home helps attended.