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47
The Public Health Visitor went to the house with the R.S.P.C.A. Inspector
but there was no reply. A letter was written to a relative and arrangements were
made to visit on 17th March. The old lady was in bed naked and bedding was on
the floor. She was extremely cold and weak. The house was in a filthy condition.
The Medical Officer of Health saw her and got in touch with her doctor and the
geriatrician who visited later in the day.
The old lady refused to go into hospital, it became necessary to enforce
removal and she was removed to hospital at 7.30 p.m. where she died on 23rd March,
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 lady visitor to
ascertain whether it may be dealt with in accordance with Section 122 of the
Public Health (London) Act 1936 and collection and deliveries are made twice
weekly.
The total number of persons receiving benefit from the scheme during the year
was 154(140), the total visits made were 3,125 (2,152) and the total number of
soiled articles collected and taken to Southwark Cleansing Station was 29,159
20,421). The total weight of the laundry cleansed was 26,163 lb (19,137 lb).
The figures given in brackets are those for the year 1960.
Home Bathing Scheme
An increasing number of aged persons are benefiting from this service and
during the year 2,140 baths were given. This is an increase of 349 over the figure
for 1961.
Holidays For The Elderly
The scheme to send old age pensioners to the sea for a weeks holiday at the
cost of £1 each was continued during the year.
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
Pefiod must not have had a holiday.
The holiday scheme proceeded smoothly and during each of four weeks in
May 1961 parties of old folk totalling 215 were taken to Margate and in September
58 old people went on holiday.
Details are given in the accompanying tables.
His Worship the Mayor and the Chairman of the Public Health Committee
Saw some of the parties off, and this was much appreciated.
Many letters of appreciation and verbal thanks have been received.