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57
(b) is so enfeebled that he is unable to avail himself of any
facilities for cleansing himself provided by the authority
under any anactment or to cleanse himself properly,
The authority may on the application or with the
consent of that person (but not otherwise) cause him to be
cleansed free of charge at the place where he resides or
at any other suitable place.
(2) A sanitary authority may make all such arrangements and
provide all such apparatus and things as may be necessary
for the convenient exercise of the powers conferred by the
foregoing sub-section.
(3) This section shall be read and construed as one with Part
III of the Public Health (London)Act, 1936, "
details of the Scheme
Two part time female bathing attendants are employed on a
sessional basis five mornings a week, Each woman, is provided with
a bag containing the necessary kit, i.e. towel, soap, scissors,
nail brush, etc. The facilities in the old person's house are
utilised and the old person is given a blanket bath together with
hair washing. Each old person is visited fortnightly. Allowing
for travelling time each attendant deals with 3/4 cases in a
morning. Before the baths are provided all applications are referred
to the Public Health Visitor who visits to assess the need
and the suitability of the old person.
The scheme came into operation on 4th May, 1959, and has
worked well with very few teething troubles, and the two attendants
are working to capacity. Since the inception of the scheme 112
people have benefited. Of this number 10 have died, 15 are permanently
in hospitals and homes and the baths have been cancelled
in 16 cases. This leaves 71 old people on the register. The total
dumber of baths given by the attendants is 747.
Laundry Service for Aged Incontinent Persons
The arrangements made with the Southwark Borough Council for
carrying out this service continued during the year.
Before the service is granted, each case is visited by the
ady visitorto ascertain whether it may be dealt with in accordance
with Section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,