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130
It will be noted from the figures given in the Table of Accommodation
Statistics that the number of Greenwich residents maintained
in Southern Grove Lodge continues to decline. This only
serves to prove, if proof were needed, that this remote accommodation
is almost completely unacceptable both to the prospective
resident and his, or her, relatives. Because of this feeling and the
fact that a number of the beds included in the Southern Grove
Lodge allocation were suitable only for healthy, aged residents for
which there is no demand, negotiations are taking place to reduce
the accepted number from 259 to 199 beds with effect from 1st
April, 1967.
Staff- The recruitment of staff for the Homes continues to give
rise to some anxiety, particularly in supervisory grades. Whilst the
turnover in numbers of lower grade staff is higher than desirable,
there is no acute shortage, but much greater difficulty has been
experienced in filling the positions of Assistant Matron.
Recreation— The Matrons and staffs of the Homes maintained
their efforts to provide varied recreational and occupational interests
additional to the normal care and attention. Sightseeing outings,
shopping expeditions, trips to the country or the coast in one form
or another are a weekly occurrence. Concert parties and other forms
of entertainment, including the cinema, provide a frequent change
from radio and television. Combined parties for staff, residents and
friends have been held.
Transfer of Residents— Requests continue to be received for
residents to be moved from one Home to another generally to
facilitate visiting by their friends and relatives. During the year, 23
such transfers were arranged.