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30 REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1962
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; slight deviations from normal were found
initially in a few samples but subsequent tests all proved 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 plants but continuous
chlorination operates in two only. In the two baths remaining,
chlorine is added by hand.
Samples of water taken from these baths during the year all proved
satisfactory on bacteriological examination.
Care of Old People
Subject to special circumstances, the Council has authority under
the National Assistance Act to make application for the removal to a
hospital or Home of an aged, infirm, or physically incapacitated
person who is suffering from a chronic disease or is living in insanitary
conditions. That compulsory removal has not been required
is doubtless largely attributable to the care and welfare services
supplied by statutory and voluntary organisations such as the
Geriatric Departments of hospitals and the District Nursing Associations.
The work of the general practitioner in this connection is
closely co.ordinated not only with these services but also with the
health visiting services for the area.
Among voluntary organisations the Wandsworth Old Folks Trust
has established a successful scheme for providing holidays for old
people and the Wandsworth Old Peoples Welfare Council has a
most impressive record of major activity in many fields. For example,
45 social clubs throughout the Borough are affiliated to the Welfare
Council and the five lunch clubs at Tooting, Central Wandsworth,
Balham, Roehampton and Streatham have served more than
100,000 meals. Five vans are utilized for the Meals on Wheels
service to bring 50,000 meals to the homes of the housebound. Six
chiropody clinics provide a useful addition to the clinics available
through statutory sources.
More detailed accounts of these activities and of other developments
are described in the Annual Report of the Welfare Council
and the monthly publication entitled The News. A study of the
report shows the vast amount of voluntary work devoted to the
care and welfare of old people.
Bathing Attendance
Reference was made in last year's Report to the appointment of a
part.time woman bathing attendant whose duty it is to visit the