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CHIROPODY
Foot treatment means so much to old peole and the demand for it increases
all the time. We now have six sessions per week in the clinic at St. Alban's Hall
and a domiciliary session weekly. Among those treated at the clinic each week
are fifteen handicapped people who are brought in by transport. Unfortunatelv,
owing to large numbers, the interval between appointments is long. Even with the
additional sessions granted during the past year, there is a lapse of two months
between treatments in the clinic and for the handicapped treated at home the interval
may be sixteen weeks. In these circumstances it is particularly difficult to fit in
urgent cases reported by visitors and it is distressing to have to disappoint old
people in this most vital service.
Over 3,000 treatments have been given at the clinic during the past year, in
addition to 210 by the domiciliary service.
MEALS SERVICE
The year 1963-4 has been remarkable for the expansion of luncheon clubs in
the borough and for the increasing number of meals supplied to the homebound.
Luncheon clubs had so far functioned at Nelson Square and Quinn Square,
on the premises of the Blackfriars Settlement where daily numbers average 20
and 16 respectively. Various small improvements to ensure the efficiency of the
service have been recently introduced and these clubs continue their valuable work
of providing meals for old people in the northern part of the borough.
On 24th June last a luncheon club was opened at the W.V.S. headquarters
in Merrow Street. We are most grateful to that organisation for the loan of initial
equipment and for all its pioneer work in establishing the club which was badly
needed in this area. From a small beginning the daily average of meals served has
risen to 24.
On 22nd October a luncheon club was opened in All Saints' and St. Stephen's
Hall in Surrey Square and is proving a great boon to old people living on the
border of Camberwell. Thanks are due to the Reverend B.Hammond,Mrs. Hammond,
and their parish workers for their energetic efforts and co-operation.
Edward Edwards Almshouses now have their own luncheon club on the
premises and this fills a great need for these residents who live so far from St. Alban's
Hall. About 20 meals are served here daily.
The establishment of luncheon clubs has helped somewhat to relieve pressure
on the Meals-on-Wheels service, on which demands seem to be ever-increasing
Particularly in the winter months when old people are prone to fall ill it is so
essential for them to be able to rely on a hot meal brought to the door; and we
are anxious to make sure that no homebound person is left without a hot dinner
A survey was made of all those receiving meals-on-wheels to investigate the possible
need for a seven-day service. Happily it disclosed that less than three per cent were
unable to have a hot meal at the weekend, brought in by the home help. Such cases
are receiving special attention.
Meals-on-Wheels helpers continue to do excellent work by reporting on those
people who should be visited, and are unfailing in their interest in the welfare of
the homebound even to the extent of visiting them in their spare time. Our grateful
thanks are due to W.V.S. helpers in this service.
Our restaurant service flourishes—in spite of the inevitable slight rise in charge
(to 1/-) large numbers come regularly to St. Alban's Hall for dinner. There has
been no increase in the price of morning coffee and tea (Id.) nor of the special 6d
tea arranged on Wednesdays for those who stay for the evening entertainment. On
Fridays groups of the handicapped are brought in by ambulance and enjoy a meal
with friends—this is their rare opportunity to have contact with the world outside,
and it is hoped to expand the service.
The following table shows the comparative figures of meals served during the
past four years: