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Almost all required medication of some kind and this was supervised
by the Public Health Officers in attendance.
In accordance with these arrangements, use was made of the
College students' ground floor single rooms to provide some 57
homebound old people with very comfortable quarters and full
nursing assistance and care. The holiday stay included a full
recreational programme and the department's special transport
conveyed the elderly to and from their homes and to the social
outings arranged during the fortnight.
A major feature of the scheme was the invaluable assistance
given by voluntary helpers, many of whom were senior members of
schools in the vicinity.
Nutritional Supplements
A scheme is in operation throughout the Borough for the sale
to bona fide retirement pensioners, at preferential rates, of various
nutritional commodities.
During the year the total sales of Nutritional Supplements to
retirement pensioners totalled £10,102 as compared with £9,605
during the preceding year.
Distribution is effected mainly via Old People's Clubs, which
make regular purchases of foods such as Ovaltine, Marmite,
Horlicks, Bovril, Ribena, Complan and Supro for resale to their
members at a discount price. Supplies are also available from the
W.R.V.S. Offices at Woolwich, Citizens' Advice Bureau at Eltham,
The Burney Street Welfare Centre at Greenwich and certain Lunch
Clubs.
Supplies are restricted to persons of pensionable age and only in
sufficient quantities considered reasonable for that person's own
consumption. For this purpose, the old person is issued with a
Registration Card. Relatives and friends may purchase supplies
on behalf of a homebound elderly person on production of this
Registration Card.
Housing
Regular consultation takes place between the Public Health
Officers and representatives of the Housing Departments of this and
the Greater London Councils. Furthermore, active participation in
the selection of elderly persons for residence in local almshouses and
Housing Society properties is also undertaken by the department's
officers.