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(viii) Ophthalmic Service:
The Committee being of the opinion that there was a
considerable need for a special Ophthalmic Service for
elderly people, there being many who were in need of glasses
or other treatment but who found it too much trouble to make
an appointment at a hospital or other clinic, approached
Moorfields Eye Hospital with a view to special arrangements
being made. Twenty-seven elderly persons received ophthalmic
treatment in this way in the period under review.
(ix) Coal:
The Committee is registered in the Licensed Merchants
Register in relation to the district of Finsbury as a licensed
merchant to furnish supplies of coal in quantities not
exceeding 28 lbs.
This coal is stored at the Health Centre and the service
was used on numerous occasions during the year to provide
coal to the aged in an emergency.
(x) Barber Service:
The Committee during the year continued to provide a
Barber Service (Hair-cutting and Shaving) for elderly men
who are housebound or bedridden and for whom it is not
possible to make alternative arrangements.
(xi) Social Worker:
The Committee were enabled by reason of financial
assistance received from a local charity to employ a full
time Social Worker whose duties in brief are to aid the aged
and sick poor to obtain such benefits as may be available
from any source, whether voluntary or statutory; in the
course of such work to give personal help, comfort and
friendship as may be possible. One of the main reasons for
the appointment was the fact that the Committee knew of the
existence in the borough of many aged persons whom it had
not been possible to contact personally, but who were often,
due to their independent outlook, in the greatest need. It
is this type of case the Committee now hope to ferret out
and ascertain their needs.
It should be noted that as well as the services outlined
above operated by or in close relation to the Council,
the following services provided by the London County Council
are available.