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I have no hesitation in advising the Council that it has worked smoothly
and efficiently throughout the year and has brought help, comfort and happiness
to a large proportion of the aged persons resident in the Borough, Its help is
sought by Members of Parliament, County Councillors, Borough Councillors, Hospital
Almoners, Doctors, Clergy and Social Workers.
It was originally hoped that the nurses would be able to spend their time
in preventive work, i.e. in keeping old people well. In this we have not been
entirely successful, for there have been so many calls upon us to deal with
special cases, that little time for routine visiting has been available. On the
other hand, through the visits of the nurses the doctor and the chiropody
clinics, it is probable that between 3,000 and 4,000 persons above retirement
age are receiving regular supervision advice and help and this is a reasonable
proportion of those whom we would wish to serve, I do not think that the scheme
will be complete until we are able to appoint more nurses.
Towards the end of the year it became apparent that the Invalid Kitchens
of London would no longer be able to supply meals in their homes for house-bound
old persons, except insofar as they would carry out their specific function of
providing meals for invalids Accordingly, arrangements were made for the
provision of meals under an alternative scheme and, at the time of writing this
report, S.P.A.C.A. possesses a van of its own and will be able to deliver 60
meals per day The scheme is in its initial stages, but to date is working well.
The old person pays l1d per meal, the cost of which is ls l0d and is purchased from
the Aerated Bread Company, Ltd The London County Council makes a grant of l0d
and the remaining 1d, plus the cost of transport and staff falls upon S.P,A. C.A.
I will report in full detail on this scheme in my annual report for 1958.
Our nurses paid 8 518 visits Meals supplied through the Invalid Kitchens
of London in conjunction with S P.A.C.A. numbered 9.501, whilst 7,353 vouchers
were issued, enabling old persons to obtain meals in local restaurants at a
reduced cost, 29 wireless sets were supplied and there are now 102 sets out on
loan. The chiropody clinic continues to be very popular, The holiday scheme was
continued and 139 persons were sent away for a fortnight's holiday in Margate.
The letters we received from those who benefitted from these holidays all express
their appreciation of the excellent arrangements which were made for them by Mr.
and Mrs. Greves. I visited the old people on holiday during the year and can
confirm the satisfactory arrangements that are made,
I would like to mention the help which old persons in the Borough receive
through the Council's library service. They are able to have books brought to
them in their own homes
The following tables set out comparative figures of the work carried out
during the past years:-
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