Annual report : 1945 / Birmingham Accident Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.

  • Birmingham Accident Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.
Date:
1945
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report : 1945 / Birmingham Accident Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/38 (page 12)
    Rehabilitation As shown by the figures the work of the Department Department pas increaseci considerably during the year. Although here also there have been the inevitable staffing difficulties, the Department has been able to carry out the greater part of its commitments through the hard work and enthusiasm of its members. Because of its comprehensive facilities, the Hospital has been asked to accept physiotherapy students and occupational therapy students from schools in and near Birmingham. This has been approved by the Board, and the Rehabilitation Department is, therefore, the scene of growing activity. Last year mention was made of the projected new Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments. These, when combined with the gymnasium, will form the Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department, and the lay¬ out can be seen in the plan reproduced in this report. The building work has now been completed and early in 1946 the new departments will be opened. When these are in use the whole of the Rehabilitation Depart¬ ment will be housed on one floor and will be inter¬ communicating ; for the first time, therefore, there will be complete integration and co-ordination of the different sections concerned with the Hospital’s rehabilitation service. Provision has been made for a rest room for patients to use in between exercise and treatment, and for a canteen to provide meals for patients who are required to stay all day at the Hospital. Almoner’s The Almoner’s (Social Service) Department has Department continued to perform a valuable function in acting as the link between the Hospital and the employers of injured patients, in addition to dealing with the many social problems arising through injury. This service is appreciated greatly by the medical staff as a most helpful, and indeed essential, adjunct of treatment. The present-day almoner’s service in the Hospital is truly a social service. The work includes a preliminary interview with the patient, once treatment is planned, to discuss such things as ability to attend for treatment, travelling difficulties, or problems concerned with the domestic or factory background. Her report back to the surgeon is of much value to him. Then there is contact with the employer to explain what is to happen ; or the housewife may have to be helped to make arrangements for the care of her children during her stay in hospital. Financial matters are often discussed : those concerning compensation payments, the family