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Among the old people who were assisted by the Department during the
year was one old lady, reputed to be 105 years of age, who is at present
accommodated in Mile End Hospital.
Two women officers, one of whom is a State Registered Nurse and
Certificated Health Visitor, are employed for visiting aged persons in
the Borough, and 2,461 visits were made by these officers during the year.
Many old people were also visited by Dr. J.E.Epsom, up to the time of his
resignation from the post of part-time Assistant Medical Officer on
1st June. 1956.

The Council provides a service for disinfesting and cleansing bedlinen
and personal clothing, under Section 122 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936.
In order to prevent injury or danger of injury to health, Section 43
of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953, operated by the
Borough Council, makes provision for the personal cleansing in their own
homes of aged persons who are verminous or otherwise in need of a bath,
659 baths were given to 62 old people during the year by the Borough
Council's Home Bathing Service. .
Grants may be made under Section 31 of the National Assistance Act
to voluntary associations whose activities include the provision of
recreation and meals for old people. There are 18 Old People's clubs in
the Borough, whose activities are co-ordinated by the Stepney Old People's
Welfare Association.* The Council is represented on this body by the
Chairman of the Public Health Committee and other members of the Council
and by the Medical Officer of Health, and applications to the Council by
Old People's clubs for grants under the National Assistance Act, 1948,
are referred to the Association for investigation. Grants made by the
Council to the Stepney Old People's Welfare association and to Old
People's clubs during the year amounted to approximately £2,900.
A list of the Clubs and facilities thereat will be found on page 59.
A Mobile Meals Service is run jointly by the Old People's Welfare.
Association and the women's Voluntary Services, and a weekly average of
322 meals was delivered to home bound old people. Three of the clubs,
which include luncheon clubs among their facilities, provide an average
of 188 meals each week.
(*) Hon. Secretary, Stepney Old People's Welfare Association, St.Katharine's,
Butcher Row, Cable Street, E.14 (STEpney Green 3659). Voluntary
visitors are urgently required, and should apply to the Secretary.
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