[Report 1952] / Medical Officer of Health, Norfolk County Council.

  • Norfolk County Council
Date:
1952
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1952] / Medical Officer of Health, Norfolk County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in the extent of mental deficiency in the county. The inclusion of the mental health service as a component part of the National Health Service has proved beneficial, particularly with regard to the ascertainment of mental defectives, and the very close link between the mental health and other branches of the service, together with the school health service, has been most valuable. The problem of accommodation for low-grade mental defectives has continued to cause grave concern. The East Anglian Regional Hospital Board has now obtained permission for the erection of two low-grade villas at Little Plumstead Hall Colony, which will probably meet the immediate need when completed in about two years’ time. In the meantime, there is the ever-present danger of a tragedy occurring in one of the many households in which the presence of a low-grade defective, besides causing distress, anxiety and mental discomforture to the whole of the family, is often a danger to its younger members. During the past two years, the Council, acting through the Welfare Committee, has opened five hostels for the aged and a sixth is in the process of being completed; all have been provided by the conversion of large private houses. Whilst these hostels have been well-adapted and are extremely comfortable, they do not provide for residents who become ill for other than very temporary periods, I feel that the question of the ideal type of accom¬ modation for old people is one which still needs a great deal of consideration, and something of the nature of the Great Hospital in Norwich may eventually be found to be the best solution, containing, as it does, facilities for old people to live either privately within the grounds or communally, where necessary, and affording sick-bay accommodation. The work of the local voluntary Old People’s Welfare Committees has continued to expand and there are now over 100 Committees in the county running Old People’s Clubs and other welfare activities. The local welfare officers assist and advise the local Committees in this work, which has all developed since the war, but much still remains to be done. I consider that one of the biggest needs is for the establishment of a chiropody service, which would help old people to remain active in their own homes and relieve much pain and discomfort. The home help service is being increasingly used for old people at home and is one of the major benefits of the health service. Schemes prepared in 1951 under section 29 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, for promoting the welfare of persons who are deaf, dumb or substantially and permanently handicapped, were approved by the Ministry of Health, and a start was made in ascertaining the extent to which help could be provided for such persons. The water supply schemes are progressing well, but it will be some years before the county is properly supplied and much expense will be involved. In the meantime, problems of sewerage, which in some areas have existed for years, are crying out for attention, and indeed, as piped water is spread, new and complicated problems of sewerage are arising. This preface would not be complete without a grateful acknowledgement of the manifold activities of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the British Red Cross Society, W.V.S., and the other voluntary organisations, which
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