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26 REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1960
Borough Council's baths was operated on the "fill and empty" system
but a modern filtration and chlorinating plant has now been installed
so that all the public swimming baths in the Borough now operate a
modern process of continuous circulation through a filtration plant
with chlorination of the water. The same process operates in the case
of the London County Council open air swimming bath.
During the year bacteriological samples were taken from the
Borough Council baths and the bacteriological reports were satisfactory.
In the case of the London County Council open air bath, I
am informed that samples were also taken which also were found to
be satisfactory.
In addition to the public swimming baths, there are four private
swimming baths in the Borough, to one of which the public may be
admitted. These all have continuous filtration and chlorination plants
and some bacteriological samples were taken during the year which
proved to be satisfactory.
Care of Old People
In the maintenance of the welfare and well-being of old people
residing in the Borough, firm links have been established between the
statutory bodies and the voluntary associations, particularly the
Wandsworth Old People's Welfare Council. The links become
stronger as the years go by.
Co-ordination of effort has resulted in the provision of amenities
such as clubs, holidays, Meals on Wheels, home visits and chiropody.
Relatively recent innovations include the Jordan and Lebanon
Luncheon Clubs organised by the Wandsworth Old People's Welfare
Council and seaside holidays sponsored by the Wandsworth Old
Folks' Trust.
So far as the welfare and health of old people are concerned, it is
a pleasure to acknowledge the co-operation of the officers of the
Welfare Department of the London County Council and the expert
guidance of the geriatricians of St. Benedict's Hospital, Tooting, St.
John's Hospital, Battersea, and the South Western Hospital, Stockwell.
On the other hand, although from time to time it may become
necessary for old people to be admitted to a Home or a hospital, it is
the constant endeavour of the staff of the Public Health Department
to give every assistance to all old people who are not in need of
institutional care and who wish to remain in their own homes. In
this context, I express my gratitude for the excellent work of the
general practitioners of the Borough, the health visitors, the district
nurses, the community care workers and the home helps.
Difficult problems are likely to arise, however, in cases of frail
elderly people, living alone, who lack the support of relatives or