View report page

65
The services provided by the Borough Council expanded satisfactorily.
Generous grants were made to the Greenwich Old
People's Welfare Association for the provision of holidays and
recreational facilities and an account of the activities of the Committee
is included in this report.
The hospital bed situation for geriatric cases remains satisfactory
and no old person has had to wait for admission to hospital.
Although admission to an institution is more difficult the position
is much better than in the country as a whole.
During the year no cases occurred where the provisions of the
National Assistance Act, 1948, for compulsory removal had to be
enforced. Experience shows that friendly persuasion is the best
method and if the situation is explained carefudly to old people
that the Health Department is here to serve their best interests.
In 1956, 11 people were admitted to the Geriatric Wards of
St. Alfege's Hospital and 16 to London County Council Homes.
Laundry facilities provided by the Council for aged bed-ridden
were expanded by the provision of a new washing machine at the
Cleansing Station and during the year 7,676 individual articles were
collected, laundered and delivered.
Meals on Wheels.—During the year this service was augmented
by the purchase of a new van fitted with hotlock food containers.
The British Red Cross van was also fitted with hotlock containers
and this has led to great improvement in the service since individual
portions arc now being delivered to the homebound. Some bulk
meals howevor continue to be delivered to the Darby and Joan
Clubs.
During the year an average of 35 homebound persons had meals
delivered twice weekly and in over 40 cases meals were delivered
three or four times per week. Towards the end of the year a few
people were receiving these meals five days per week. The average
number of meals brought to the homebound was 247 and another 84
were delivered weekly to the various Old People's Clubs in the
Borough.
The following extracts are from the third Annual Report of the
Old People's Welfare Association.
"Old People's Clubs.—The Darby and Joan Clubs, Federation
Clubs and Church Clubs are our greatest source of contact amongst
old people. They are able to bring much happiness to a very large