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In addition, the Council's medical and inspectorial staff
pay very many visits to the homes of old people, andregular
investigations have been carried out in order to find out
more about the domestic background. Early in the year a
visitor was appointed to undertake home visits of old
people in appropriate cases as well as duties in connection
with the control of infectious diseases. The aim of these
activities has been to rectify adverse home conditions and
to arrange for early help for those old people who need
it, and there is little doubt that this has met with a
measure of success.
All these services are of immense value, but in view
of the many agencies concerned with them the Council gave
consideration to what steps could be taken to ensure coordination
and prevent overlapping, or overlooking any old
people in need. It was decided to appoint an additional
visitor whose duties, under the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health, would be to carry out home visits as
necessary and to act as a link between the various agencies,
especially the Geriatric Unit at St. Francis' Hospital,
the Divisional Medical Officer and her Divisional Nursing
Officer and Home Help Organiser, the Secretary of the Old
People's Welfare Committee, the Organiser of the Employment
Scheme for the Elderly, the Wardens of Old People's Clubs
and members of other voluntary bodies. It was also agreed
to establish a central bureau in the Public Health Department
where full information about as many old people as
possible who are in need, ormight be in need, of assistance
could be kept on a card index system. This has already
been put into operation and is proving well worth-while.
In addition, a small medical liaison committee was set up,
comprising a general practitioner, the Geriatrician at St.
Francis' Hospital, the Divisional Medical Officer and the
Medical Officer of Health, which meets regularly to good
purpose.
Workrooms for the Elderly
The Camberwell Association for Employment of the
Elderly commenced its Scheme at Cambridge House, Camberwell
Road, on 2nd May, 1960. About 40 old folk attend, 20 at
the morning session (10 a.m. - 12 noon) and 20 at the
afternoon session (1-3 p.m.). There is no doubt that
this scheme is meeting a need which has existed for a long
time in this Borough. Seven old people were sufficiently
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