View report page

133
Again, due to staff shortages, manning of the Reception Room
became difficult but the absence of complaints indicates how
successfully this was accomplished.
Homes for Old People
Accommodation available in the Borough for the reception of
old people in need of care was augmented by two purpose-built
homes which were completed and occupied during the year—
"Tegel", at 11 Simnel Road, S.E.12, in May, and "Elmgrove", at
78 Walmer Terrace, S.E.18, in November. Both are 60-bed homes
each with a Special Care Unit for 16 persons and facilities for the
establishment of a Day Centre for some 40 persons. A further
home of similar capacity is expected to be established during the
latter part of 1970.
With the opening of the two new homes our aim, viz., to have
within the Borough boundaries all our own elderly people in Part
III accommodation, has now been achieved.
Of the Greenwich residents in Southern Grove Lodge, the
majority were transferred to our new homes and an arrangement
was made with the London Borough of Islington for the remaining
24 residents, who were the responsibility of Greenwich but who
had no real connection with the Borough, to be accommodated
at Hillside Home for the Retired, at 129 St. John's Way, N.19.
Admissions
The "admissions panel" led by the Deputy Medical Officer of
Health continued to function most effectively in assessing the degree
of urgency attaching to the needs of elderly people known or
referred to the various branches of the Department. Admissions
at 614 showed an increase of 100 over the previous year and fell
into the following categories:—
(i) New Admissions
Greenwich Small Homes (including two short-
stay cases) 92
Southern Grove Lodge 51
(ii) Holiday Admissions (scheme to give relief to
relatives and others caring for old people and
otherwise unable to take a holiday)
Greenwich Small Homes 48
Southern Grove Lodge 3
Other Homes 11
(iii) Re-Admissions (mainly from hospitals and
holidays) 409