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18
In part of the Borough, the meals-on-wheels service
is provided by the Women's Voluntary Service, and there
has been a close liaison between that organisation and the
Public Health Department to ensure that there is no overlapping,
nor on the other hand, that any old people in
need of this service should be overlooked.
An additional van purchased by the Council for this
service was brought into use in September; this made it
possible to re-organise the 'rounds' and reduce the demands
on the other three vans. This service expanded so rapidly,
however, that in a very short time all four vans were
working to full capacity. The number of meals taken to
old people in their own homes during the year was 32,242.
Meals-on-wheels are provided by the Council on five
days each week - Monday to Friday. At Easter, however, in
an attempt to bridge the gap of the long week-end, a number
of special packs of frozen foods was obtained and distributed
to those who had indicated they would like them, o n
the Thursday preceding Good Friday. Most of the recipients
were delighted with them and expressed their gratitude.
Unfortunately, these packs of frozen foods are no longer
obtainable and for the Christmas holiday period it was
only possible to provide tinned food. Nevertheless, this
was very well received.
Home Bathing
The visiting of housebound old people to assist th em
to have a bath in their own homes is of the utmost val ue
in helping to keep them clean, healthy and happy. The
service is greatly appreciated by the recipients and, like
the meals service, is increasing rapidly. Towards the end
of the year the Council authorised the appointment of an
additional bathing attendant to assist in this work, but
it has not yet been possible to fill the vacancy. During
1963, homebathing visits numbered 529 and involved 21 old
persons.
Cleansing of Soiled Linen
Arrangements were continued for the cleansing of the
soiled bedding and personal clothing of incontinent old
people who have nobody to do this for them. The Council's
disinfecting van usually calls twice weekly delivering
clean linen and collecting the soiled articles at each