London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kingston upon Thames 1970

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]

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66
New Accommodation - Any Woodgate House
This new home for 50 elderly persons in the grounds of Coombe
Oak, Warren Road, Kingston Hill was handed over to the department on
20th March 1970 and then the exercise of equipping and furnishing
the home had to be carried out. The first residents were admitted on
1st June 1970, and from then to the end of the year more elderly persons
were admitted as the staffing position permitted,, On 14th August 1970
The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames,
Councillor Harry W Payne, former Chairman of the Health and Welfare
Committee, performed the opening ceremony in the presence of the son
of the late Mrs.Amy Woodgate, whose name was given to this establishment
in recognition of the services to elderly people that had been
rendered to the borough over a considerable number of years by this
eminent lady, as well as many other prominent citizens, Aldermen,
Councillors and officials of the Borough Council,
Waratah, Sander stead Road Sanderstead
This small home for 20 residents which was closed throughout
1969 for internal structural alterations, was reopened for residents
during March 1970 and very soon received its full complement of elderly
men and women.
Staff
Considerable difficulties continued to be experienced throughout
the year in the recruitment of suitable staff for the residential
homes and every endeavour is being made to improve the standard of staff
accommodation in order to attract suitable applicants.
Occupational Therapy at Welfare Home s for the Elderly
As far as possible every effort has been made to continue the
occupational therapy tuition at the Council's old people's homes, where
requests have been made from the residents, but this again has proved
difficult because of the lack of occupational therapy staff.
Large Print Books
The Borough's Library Department continued to provide a regular
supply of large print books for the use of the residents in the welfare
homes.