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25
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE BOROUGH
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.
Welfare of Old People
The general pattern of work for the care and welfare of old
people continued much along the same lines as in previous years.
Close liaison and co-ordination of effort was maintained by the
various voluntary organisations and statutory bodies concerned
in this vital work, resulting in the continued provision of amenities
such as Meals-on-Wheels and luncheon clubs, holidays, home
visits and chiropody.
Due, doubtless, to the efforts of various agencies, combined with
the substantial amount of visiting of old people by health visitors
and public health inspectors, it is pleasant to record that no case
arose during the year under review of any old person found in
such a state as to necessitate action being taken for compulsory
removal to a hospital or home. This is a procedure always contemplated
with the utmost reluctance and taken only as a last
resort.
Bathing Attendance
A woman bathing attendant is employed to visit the homes of
frail old people who require assistance with bathing in their own
homes.
During the year under review, this service continued and was
greatly appreciated by those old people who requested assistance;
at the close of the year, the attendant was visiting at weekly
intervals 37 such old persons.
Cleansing of Soiled Linen of Aged and Infirm
The number of requests for assistance under this service again
rose throughout the year. The soiled bed linen or clothing of 110
separate elderly and infirm persons were dealt with, involving the
collection, cleansing and return of approximately 2.500 lots of linen
during the year.
Eradication of Bed Bugs
The methods employed for freeing infested houses include the
stripping of all paper from the walls, the removal of wooden mouldings
and skirtings and application of a blow lamp to the room surfaces.
Spraying of rooms by the disinfecting staff of the Council is
carried out, proprietary insecticides being used and infested bedding
is removed to the Disinfecting Station and treated by steam.