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NURSING AIDS
Various appliances to assist the sick or the handicapped can be borrowed either from the
department or through the British Red Cross Society local branches. We are indebted to the British
Red Cross for their assistance in this matter and 4 depots at Albany Park, Sidcup, Barnehurst and
Bexleyheath have been established in the Borough to issue such aids as wheelchairs, commodes,
bed pans, back rests, cradles, and rubber sheets. The Council makes a grant of £50 towards their
expenses. The department issues on loan major items such as bed-hoists, ripple-beds, etc. which
are expensive and which require regular servicing to maintain safety or efficiency.
HOME HELP SERVICE

The general and special functions of this service continued throughout the year. The general
duties of the home help include keeping the home clean and tidy, cooking and preparing meals for
the patient and dependants, caring for the children doing the normal family washing and shopping
and collecting pensions if necessary. The special functions are
(a) Family care service— for a maximum of three months in families temporarily deprived
of the care of the mother or female guardian. Help commences when the father leaves
for work and ceases when he returns at night.
(b) Family welfare service — for problem families on the recommendation of the health
visitor or social welfare officer.
(c) Night service for elderly — requires certain services day and night for three weeks in
the first instance and then subject to review. Help commences at 10 p.m. and ends at
6 a.m.
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