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Conferences.—The Council were officially represented at the under-mentioned conferences dealing
with matters within the purview of the Public Health Department:—
Conference Delegates
Royal Sanitary Institute—Scarborough, 27th to Alderman Capt. R. G. Whitney, J.P.,
30th April. and the Medical Officer of Health.
Sanitary Inspector's Association—Southport, 7th Mr. J. R. Baily, Sanitary Inspector,
to 10th September.
National Old People's Welfare Committee— Councillor Miss F. E. Wilson and Miss M. M.
Bournemouth, 1st to 3rd April. Sharp, Sanitary Inspector.
National Smoke Abatement Society— Councillor Dr. H. K. Ashworth, T.D.
Scarborough, 22nd to 24th September.
Care of Old People.—Six hundred and seventeen old people (including sixty-nine married couples) were
visited by one of the women sanitary inspectors. The great majority were living alone and some
required constant observation. The domestic help service of the London County Council continued
to give valuable assistance to many aged inhabitants of the Borough.
Special Laundry Service.—Under the scheme for dealing with the bed linen and clothing of acutely
ill and incontinent old people, fifty-three new cases were dealt with during 1954, each being the
subject of a certificate by the Medical Officer of Health under section 122 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936. The work is carried out directly by the Council at the Public Health Department
laundry, No. 217, Lisson Grove, N.W.8. The service has been in operation since February, 1950,
and continues to be greatly appreciated by all who are concerned with the nursing of the aged in
their own homes. Of those assisted, some were awaiting admission to hospital but others, with the help
of the service, were able to continue to be cared for at home. Certain of the cases require to be dealt
with for short periods only, while others need assistance for a long time.
Cleansing.—The Council decided to implement the provisions of section 43 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1953, which gives power to sanitary authorities to make arrangements
for the cleansing, including bathing in their own homes, of old people at their own request or with their
consent. In suitable cases it was arranged that old people should be taken to the Council's Bathing
Station at Lisson Grove, where, in addition to bathing, clothing could be disinfested and cleansed
where necessary. For this purpose one of the Department's vans was converted to carry old people
to the bathing station, where every facility for providing the service under good conditions in warm
and convenient surroundings is available.
The bathing and cleansing is under the supervision of one of the women sanitary inspectors, who
also accompanies old persons to and from the bathing station. This scheme, which is experimental,
came into operation on the 14th December, 1954.
Special Sub-Committee.—Early in the year the Public Health Committee appointed a Sub-Committee
to consider the position regarding the care and welfare of old people living in the Borough. After
considering a summary of the services available to old people and the statutory powers and duties of
the Council the Sub-Committee were of the opinion that such services were adequate to cover all
the needs of old people but recognised that the diversity of official and voluntary bodies concerned
in providing these services demonstrated the desirability of one authority being charged with the
responsibility for the care and welfare of the elderly and with the co-ordination of the services. The
Sub-Committee recommended that details of the help available to old people should be distributed
as widely as possible. Accordingly the Council and the Old People's Welfare Association prepared
and sent to local medical practitioners, to hospitals in and near the Borough, and to local clergy, a
leaflet containing the following information :—
SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR OLD PEOPLE IN ST. MARYLEBONE.
GOVERNMENT.
National Assistance Board, 177, Tottenham Court Road, W. 1. (Tel. MUS. 7002).—This Office assists
old age pensioners whose income is insufficient for their needs, by financial grants and special grants for
clothing, blankets, etc. Letters to be addressed to Area Officer.
National Health Service.—All old people should be on the list of a doctor. This part of the service
is controlled by the London Executive Council, Insurance House, Insurance Street, W.C.I. (Tel. :
TER. 2266). A complete list of doctors can be seen at any Post Office, or advice can be obtained from
the Public Health Department at the Town Hall.