London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Southwark 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]

This page requires JavaScript

Continued from previous page...

Proceedings under Section 12 of the Housing Act, 1936:-
(1)Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which Closing Orders were made105
(2)Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which Closing Orders were determined, the tenement or room having been rendered fit

WELFARE OF THE AGED
Miss M. Morris, the Organising Secretary of the Southwark
Old People's Welfare Committee reports that during the year,
nearly 35,000 meals were served from the Gate House Old
People's Restaurant, which is open Mondays to Fridays. A
luncheon club was also opened in January at Nelson Square,
in the north of the borough. The charge to the old people is
tenpence for a two-course dinner; tea is one penny. The London
County Council pays a subsidy of eightpence on each meal, and
the Borough Council made a grant for equipment.
10,515 meals on wheels were supplied by the Gate House
Restaurant, a great increase on last year's 2,113. Four vans,
two supplied by the Old People's Welfare Committee and two
by the Women's Voluntary Services, go out daily from Tuesdays
to Fridays, and each patient receives four meals weekly. The
charge is tenpence; the London County Council pays a subsidy
of tenpence and the Borough Council grant helped to pay for
transport and additional equipment.
Over 600 chiropody treatments were given during the year at
a weekly clinic lent by the London County Council. The
Borough Council made a grant for the hire of a car used to bring
house-bound patients to the clinic once fortnightly.
At the end of May, 60 old people went for an organised
holiday to Broadstairs. The charge was £3 12s. for a week
and £6 12s. for two weeks. They stayed in boarding houses as
private guests and were provided with free entertainment by
the local Council. The cost of the holiday was borne entirely
by the old people. Several outings were also organised to the
seaside and country by coach, and the Rotary Club of Southwark
arranged private car outings for house-bound old people.
Visits to cinemas and concert parties were also arranged, with
Christmas and various other treats.
The Gate House Club was open daily from Tuesdays to Fridays.
An entertainment was provided every Wednesday and
there were also lectures, discussion groups and film shows.