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Diagnosis
The total number of patients admitted during the first year was 104—76 women
and 28 men, including four readmissions. The average age was 75. Some of the
patients came with multiple diagnoses, and some on mainly social grounds. Taking
the diagnosis which brought the patient to the centre (usually the main diagnosis)
the disabilities may be grouped as follows:
Arthritis and allied complaints 37
Neurological diseases (hemiplegia 13, Parkinson's disease 5, disseminated
sclerosis 3) 21
Diseases of the cardiovascular system 15
Diseases of the respiratory system 5
Skin diseases 1
No major ailment, or senility only 16
Others (including diabetes in 3) 9
Facilities
Medical Examination and Investigation
A well-equipped surgery is provided for general practitioners to examine their
patients at the centre. They are assisted by the nursing staff. Besides a physical
examination, some routine investigations are carried out on all patients on admission:
1. A specimen of urine is tested for albumin and sugar.
2. Haemoglobin is estimated by the sister-in-charge using a portable Eel colorimeter.
3. The erythrocyte-sedimentation rate is measured by the sister if requested by
the practitioner.
Specialist Services
The practitioner has at his disposal a consultant ophthalmologist, an ear, nose,
and throat surgeon, and a dental surgeon. The first of these are normally the consultants
at maternity and child-welfare clinics in the area, and they kindly agreed to
give the necessary time to this project. The dental surgeon is the area dental officer.
The ophthalmologist attends for one session a month to examine all new patients
and, where necessary, to supply a prescription for glasses. This is normally taken by
the patient to his own optician, but in case of difficulty a local optician has agreed
to see patients at his premises nearby or at the centre itself. The ophthalmologist is
able to secure the usual fees for his services by submitting form o.s.c.2 to the executive
council.
The ear, nose and throat surgeon attends as necessary, usually once a month or
once a fortnight. He examines all new patients. An audiogram will previously have
been done. If a hearing-aid is required, an appointment is made for the patient to
attend the hearing-aid centre at a local hospital for testing and fitting.
The hearing-aid can usually be provided when the patient is at the centre, thus
enabling the staff to encourage the old person to persevere with its wearing. During
the year eight patients were supplied with hearing-aids; one had a very heavy apparatus
exchanged for a more suitable type; and three who required an aid refused to have
one. We have, unfortunately, been unable to remunerate the ear, nose and throat
specialist.
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