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These arrangements continued until 1st May 1958 when the
Council was able to make arrangements with the Borough of Southwark
for carrying out this service.
Prior to the 1st May sheets, drawsheets and pillow cases
only were dealt with, but after that date the service was extended
to include personal articles and clothing.
Before the service is granted, each case is visited by the
lady visitor to ascertain whether it may be dealt with in
accordance with Section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, and collections and deliveries are made twice weekly.
The total number of persons receiving benefit from the scheme
during the year was 87, the total visits made was 1507, and the
number of soiled articles collected and cleansed 10,707.
The service is much appreciated by all concerned with the
welfare of these unfortunate elderly people.
Holidays for the Elderly
The scheme to send old age pensioners to the sea side for a
week's holiday at a cost of £1 each was continued during 1958.
In order to participate in the scheme a person must be an
old age pensioner, have lived in the Borough of Lambeth for at
least three years, and during the same period must not have had
a holiday.
The holidays were arranged at Margate in the Spring and
Autumn, the first period being in May and the second in September.
Parties of old people went to Margate by coach at weekly
intervals and on the outward and return journeys were accompanied
by a State Registered Nurse. An officer of the Public Health
Department went on each of the outward journeys.
All accommodation was inspected and found to be clean and
comfortable.
One hundred and ninety two old people went for a holiday in
the spring, and 178 in the autumn, making a total of 370. This
was 78 more than in 1957. Included in the total were 53 married
couples.