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Six persons were buried under the provisions of this Act during
1959.
Removal of Aged and Infirm Persons to Institutions
Section 47 of this Act provides for securing the necessary care and
attention for the aged and chronic sick by means of an order of the Court.
Several cases were removed either to hospital or County Council homes
for the aged after persuasion, but it was not necessary to invoke Section
47 during the year.
Services for Old People
On the Ist April, 1959, Miss P. A. D. Ellison, appointed by the
Council to visit sick and infirm aged people, commenced her duties.
Through the medium of regular visiting and co-operation with other
organisations concerned with old peoples welfare, patients requiring
medical and other attention have been found quickly and any appropriate
action promptly taken. From letters of appreciation that have
been received in the Public Health Department it is obvious that this new
service is very much appreciated by old people in the Borough.
From the 1st April until the end of the year, 243 individual people
wese visited and a total of 1,434 visits paid. From this number 45 had
been taken off the list for various reasons, e.g., admission to hospital or
home, removed from Borough, deaths, etc. and at the end of the year
198 people remained on the active visiting list.
The voluntary services in the district provide some assistance and recreation
for old people. The W.V.S. have organised five "Darby and Joan"
Clubs in various parts of the Borough so that one or more is within
reasonable reach of persons living in any part of the District. In
addition, the Albany Institute Old People's Club, although situated just
beyond the Borough boundary, is patronised mainly by Deptford people.
I give details regarding our " Meals on Wheels' service which is
carried out in co-operation with the Women's Voluntary Services
Organisation.
Meals are provided to about 230 old people each week. The meals
are obtained from the United Girls Schools for Social Services at a
cost of 1s. 8d. per meal, for which the individuals pay 10d. and the
London County Council pay a subsidy of lOd. per meal. The Council
pay the United Girls Schools monthly for the cost of the meals. 12,334
meals were provided during the year.
The Deptford Borough Council maintain a vehicle (which was presented
by a local fiim) and provide a driver, to deliver meals twice a week to
house-bound old folk and the remainder of the meals to "Darby and
Joan" Clubs. The W.V.S. provide the helpers for delivery of meals.
Shops Act, 1950
In the course of their routine inspection the Public Health Inspectors
paid attention to the ventilation and temperature of shops and the provision
of washing accommodation and sanitary conveniences.