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15
The geriatric services have been well established for years in the
former Metropolitan Boroughs of Greenwich and Woolwich, and it
is only a question of building on existing solid foundations. The adaptations
at the Greenwich Hotel to take numbers of the severely disabled
are nearing completion and the hotel will have a capacity of
about 90 guests.
The laundry, bathing and chiropody services have all expanded.
There are now 13 luncheon clubs open, with more to come which
will eventually provide a full geographical cover for the Borough.
Meals on wheels are now on a five day per week basis throughout
the Borough with emergency weekend cover for those in need. All
the meals are now being supplied either by the Department or the
Borough's catering service.
The Borough is making the most strenuous efforts to build small
homes as quickly as possible to enable our old people to be brought
back from Southern Grove Lodge in Tower Hamlets. During the
year the detailed design of one in Gavestone Crescent was completed
and preliminary consideration given to the home planned for the
Glyndon development. If loan sanction is available it is possible that
four new 60 bed homes with special care units for frail and infirm
may be in occupation by the end of 1970.
Adaptations at 158a Plumstead High Street were partly completed
to give more privacy and better amenities to individual families, and
further improvements are in hand. The new training unit at Charlton
Road was opened and is already proving useful for the rehabilitation
of families before moving to permanent accommodation.
Some progress has been made towards examining the future
medical, social and welfare needs of the comprehensive development
at Thamesmead. A plan in embryonic form has been provided by
the Guy's General Practice Research Unit for an integrated medical
service for that area, embracing the work of the hospitals, the
general practitioners and the local authorities. These ideas have
immense implications for our Borough and will be discussed at
greater length next year, when the suggestions have been examined
and analysed in more detail.
This glossary of the Council's achievements during the year does
not purport to be exhaustive. These are the matters which have come
immediately to mind in writing this introduction. Undoubtedly,
two factors govern further advances. The first is the availability of
staff of proven ability or potentiality. The shortages in all the professional
grades are almost critical, and on the residential side where
the immediate comfort and living conditions of vulnerable groups
of people are affected this constant threat of a breakdown of standards
is of perpetual concern.