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Forty-nine of these were new and each was the subject of a certificate given by the Medical Officer
of Health under the provisions of section 122 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. The work is
done by the Council's staff at the Public Health Department laundry at 217, Lisson Grove, N.W.8.
Bathing.—Under the provisions of section 43 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1953, sanitary authorities are empowered to make arrangements for bathing old people at their own
request or with their consent. During the year, 392 baths were given to women and 142 to men under
the scheme started in 1954 for bathing old persons at the Lisson Grove Centre. The total number of
baths (534) is the highest so far and indicates the popularity of the scheme.
A trained nurse is employed part-time, under the general direction of a woman public health
inspector, to supervise the bathing and accompany the old people on the journeys between their
homes and the Centre.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association.
The Executive Committee of the Association (Chairman—Mrs. L. Fewster; Hon. Secretary—Mrs.
K. M. Cowan, Room 103, Town Hall, St. Marylebone, W.l) has kindly provided the following
information, which has been extracted from the Association's Annual Report, on work carried out
during 1958 :—
"The Committee has been kept in touch with the latest developments and trends in welfare,
through representatives at the National Old People's Welfare Council 9th National Conference
in April, through Miss Macintosh's most comprehensive reports from the Central Consultative
Committee on the Welfare of the Old and through the Secretary's attendance at meetings of
Secretaries of Old People's Welfare Committees in London, as well as by the useful Bulletin of
the National Old People's Welfare Council.
A party of Doctors studying Industrial and Public Health visited the Association in April, to
study Old People's Welfare in St. Marylebone under the guidance of Miss Macintosh and Miss Sharp.
It is difficult to calculate the number of old people with whom we have contact; our constituent
bodies are in touch with so many and our office records cannot take into account all the people
helped by the Public Health Department or the Home Help Service.
Meals on Wheels.—6,058 meals were delivered during 1958, still at a charge of only lOd. a meal.
An idea of the value of this work may be shown by one letter which read: 'May I as one of the
very many participators of this wonderful service, send you my grateful thanks for the wonderful
dinners and to the distributors who so unselfishly bring them to us no matter how vile the weather.
The driver who drives the Van is of course included. I appreciate and thank you all very much for
all you do for me.'
'Frood' Christmas dinners were once again kindly donated by the Mayor, and taken round
on Christmas Eve by the W.V.S. to house-bound old people, who might otherwise have faced a
very lonely Christmas.
In October the Committee requested the Council to undertake the regular servicing and
maintenance of the Van, and it soon became apparent that this change, particularly as the drivers
of the Van are Council employees, would mean better service and greater economy.
Luncheon Club.—The Club, managed by the W.V.S. under the leadership of Mrs. Lush, in the
premises still kindly provided at a most modest rent by the Church Army, has continued to function
happily and efficiently. 6,920 Luncheons were served, at a charge to the old people of lOd. each.
The members enjoyed a free Christmas dinner and presents once again given to them by the helpers,
whose unselfish work makes this cheerful centre a real boon to many who would otherwise find it
difficult to get a hot meal.
Chiropody.—2,445 treatments were given at the Foot Clinic, at a charge to the patients of Is. 6d.
per treatment. We have been happy in the continued co-operation of our three Chiropodists, who
always show such kindness, as well as professional efficiency, towards their patients. We also
thank most sincerely Miss Cotsford, a member of the British Red Cross Society, who has dealt with
the appointments for the Clinic since it opened.
The Association wishes to record thanks to the L.C.C. Lisson Grove Clinic which has given 130
treatments for old ladies, thereby reducing our waiting list.