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Library Service for the homebound and partially sighted
The following report has been received from Mr. E.W., Padwick, F.L.A., Principal Lending
Librarian: —
"There is little to report concerning the library service for home-bound persons for 1969.
The number of readers visited has fluctuated a little during the year but the average number
visited at three-weekly intervals with books has been 7. During the year a total of 664 books
were issued and on each visit the library staff leave 5 or 6 books at each house.
It cannot be denied that we are serving a very limited number of readers by this service,
but the visits are much appreciated not only for the books but for the social occasion and we
consider its continuation to be well worthwhile".
SECTION 31 - MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE
The arrangements for providing meals on five days a week from the Staff Association Luncheon
Room continued until 1st April.
After that date, meals were provided from the kitchen of the Three Score Club, on the
Middlesex Street Housing Estate Additionally from 1st April, the Corporation took over the
running of the meals club itself, which was formerly organised by the City of London Old People's
Welfare Association.
Meals provided were as follows:-
Meals delivered to housebound persons
Provided by Staff Luncheon Room up to 31st March only — 809 ) (2404)
Provided from Three Score Club from 1st April — 1923 )
Meals served to ambulant persons at the Three Score Club - 2021
The whole service has been provided to an average of 24 persons each day.
In addition, the Kosher meals service delivers meals to housebound patients and 913 (972)
such meals were provided during the year, three persons receiving them at the end of the year.
Voluntary Services in the City
The Branch Director of the British Red Cross Society kindly provided a member of the
Branch to act as escort on the journeys to and from St. Matthew's Hospital Day Social Club
and also to assist with the delivery of Meals on Wheels. This arrangement continued until July
when the Society had to withdraw their help. The Womens Royal Voluntary Services were contacted
and commenced duties later in the year but at 31st December there were difficulties in W.R.V.S.
recruiting for this work and the Health and Welfare Officers were often having to perform the
escort duties.
CORPORATION STAFF
Ophthalmic Optician Service
Since March 1959, a firm of Ophthalmic Opticians have been operating a weekly eye testing
service for members of the staff. This service is operated under the National Health Service,
and examinations are therefore free, although charges are made, in the usual way, for the
dispensing of prescriptions.
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