§ 73. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many aged people living alone are sometimes found to be days without food or assistance because of ill health; and if he will take steps to establish a health visitors service for aged people on similar lines to the existing health service for young people.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonI am aware that cases of aged people living alone being found in distress are occasionally reported. The health visiting service provided by local health authorities is already available to visit and advise old people. For routine visits to ensure that no case is overlooked the appropriate course is, however, the development of voluntary visiting in a field for which it is specially suited rather than the diversion from more specialised work of fully trained staff whose numbers are limited.