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65
Mrs. A. E. Poster, who for the past five years had been Old Persons' Health Officer
in the Borough, resigned her appointment in September, and Mrs. I. Milbank, her successor,
took up her duties in November. At the same time, in view of the increasing need for
visiting of the elderly in the Borough, a departmental re-arrangement of duties of domiciliary
visiting staff, permitted more time to be devoted to this service The health officers
visited 427 new cases during the year, and re-visits totalled 4,128. Apart from the provision
of laundry and home bathing services, where appropriate, 3,414 references were made outside
the Department.
These references covered requests for provision of meals, and home help service, welfare
home and/or hospital admission; grants from the National Assistance Board; introduction to
clubs, Work Centre and associations dealing with blind and handicapped persons; registration
with a medical practitioner and contacting relatives.
Gas and Electricity undertakings were notified of any defective appliances and recommendations
were made for the provision of fireguards by the London County Council in 60 cases
this provision is invaluable in preventing accidents to the elderly from open fires Items
of home nursing equipment were supplied by the County Council in 138 cases, on recommendation.
The Borough Council grant to the Old People's Welfare Council for the year, which is
utilised mainly for the provision of meals, holidays, and part-time employment for the elderly,
totalled £8, 375.
Public Health (London) Act 1936 Section 122
Cleansing and Lanndry Service
Heavy demands have also been made on the disinfecting and laundry unit at the Treatment
Centre, the service provided being of great assistance in home and institutional nursing of
the incontinent sick, as the following details will show.

Home for Confirmed Invalids, Highbury Terrace
The weight of laundry dealt with during the year was 3 tons 2 cwts. 0 qtr. 4½ lbs.
Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society Home, Hazellville Road
Recommendations are received from the Matron for inmates of the nursing home wing
who are incontinent. The weight of laundry dealt with was 1 ton 18 cwts, 0 qtrs. 24½ lb.
Holborn Borough Council
The agreement whereby clothing and bedclothes of incontinent elderly persons in
Holborn Borough can be dealt with at the Islington laundry has continued. During the
year 713 washings, comprising 7,339 articles were carried out on behalf of 47 recipients.
Stoke Newington Borough Council
A similar agreement was entered into, as with Holborn Borough Council. During the
year 277 washings, comprising 2, 548 articles, were carried out on behalf of 7 recipients.
London Coanty Conncll (General Powers) Act 1953 Section 43
Cleansing of Elderly Persons
The service for the personal cleansing of elderly persons is closely linked, as might
be anticipated, with the soiled linen service mentioned above. Cleansing may be carried out
either in the person's home, if unable to leave home, or alternatively at the Treatment
Centre, Seven Sisters Road, where cases may be taken in the Department's special ambulance.
i93 persons were thus assisted by the Department's nursing and bathing staff, and this
entailed 1,168 home visits and 585 baths given at the Treatment Centre. The work is carried
out under the supervision of the Nurse-in-Charge at the Treatment Centre.