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Survey of Old People
Although, for some years, the people of Bermondsey have been
endowed with that family spirit which made them realise that the
care of the more elderly members was the responsibility of the
community, it was not until 1957 that a planned assessment of their
conditions was commenced.
In the spring of that year two welfare workers began what may
now be termed as "Operation Ferret". Their orders were simple:
To locate the old people in the Borough and bring succour to them
where necessary. Putting this operation into effect, however, was
a laborious task.
Phase I
A meeting was called of all those people and organisations
having any connection with the care of the elderly. At this meeting,
it was proposed that the Town Hall, on account of its central
position, should become a co-ordinating centre for all welfare
problems relating to old people. By this means, it was hoped to
prevent duplication of visiting and also to be able to collect information
not only for the use of the Public Health Department but
also for hospitals or other agencies dealing with old people.
Phase II
Following this meeting many cases of an urgent nature
requiring immediate action were referred to the department, and
visiting was also commenced in Borough Council flats. With the
co-operation of the Housing Department, a list was compiled of all
old people and this was divided into two groups— (a) those considered
by the estate superintendent to be in urgent need of help,
and (b) those not in such great need.
Phase III
After all these cases had been located, systematic visiting of
private property was commenced.
Results
During 1957 there were many interruptions to the visiting
programme. Unfortunately, this also occurred in the early part of
the following year and, as a result, the clerical work got far behind.
Despite this, however, it has been possible to produce a detailed
account of the findings for 1958. Additional information for the
preceding year will be available at a later date. Thus, the figures
relate to the last 804 cases found and not to the total number on the
register which amounts to 1,642 cases. One additional factor is
that during 1957 most of the really bad cases were seen, whereas
the year under review probably gives a more reliable picture of the
current position,