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37
Mobile Library (Personal Delivery Service)
Anyone unable through age or infirmity to get to one of the City
Council's Libraries can apply to the Librarian at any branch of the
Westminster Public Libraries to be placed on the list for the Personal
Delivery Service. Each person using this Service receives a fortnightly
home-visit from a qualified member of the Libraries Department.
Books are also available at the Darby and Joan Clubs.
Bathing Facilities
The City Council has made available to old age pensioners facilities
whereby they can have hot baths at the Council's public baths at reduced
charges.
Cleansing of Bed Linen of Elderly and Infirm, Persons
Facilities have also been made available by the Council for the cleansing
of bed linen of elderly and infirm people when it has become fouled and
unwholesome.
Emergency Fuel Supply Service
During the severe winter of 1962-63, which started with the heavy
snow-fall on Boxing Day, 1962, several old people in Westminster found
themselves without solid fuel supplies. An emergency scheme was, therefore,
put into operation whereby 28-lb. bags of solid fuel were obtained
from a coal yard in a neighbouring borough, and were delivered to the
homes of old people in need. The scheme continued until the severe
weather abated, and a total of 187 28-lb. bags of fuel were supplied to
73 old people.
The majority of old persons paid the full basic cost of the fuel, but
in some necessitous cases the cost was met from various philanthropic
sources.
Thanks are due to those members of the staff of the Health Department,
and of the Westminster Old People's Welfare Association, who
undertook this heavy work in very trying conditions.
A stock of fuel was obtained in the autumn of 1963 and stored for
possible use during the winter 1963-64.
Health Education
Some success in health education has been achieved during the past
few years by the distribution of posters and leaflets to all old people's
clubs, youth clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Guide Troops, and to various
voluntary organisations in Westminster, for exhibition at their meeting
places.
The Health Education topic dealt with by the Health Department
during 1963 related to Smoking and Health. Publicity material was
obtained free of charge from the Ministry of Health and the London