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The majority of them (1,128) live alone and some require constant observation. During the year
2,956 visits were made to 813 old people of whom 117 were married couples. In addition 48 visits
were made by the two women public health inspectors to seven infirm persons.
Special Laundry Service.—The Department continued the service, begun in 1950, for laundering
bed linen and clothing of acutely ill and incontinent or very dirty and verminous old people. During
the year, 55 cases were dealt with, some over long periods, others for a short while only. Forty-two
of these were new cases 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 staff of the Department's 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 a total of 597 baths were given, 424 to women and
173 to men, under the scheme started in 1954 for bathing old persons at the Lisson Grove Centre.
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.
The St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association, acting voluntarily and in close co-operation
with the Department, continued to give invaluable service to the elderly. Some of the more important
activities are mentioned in the extract from their Annual Report reproduced below. The London
County Council's domestic help service and Department for the Handicapped, together with the
District Nurses, British Red Cross Society, W.V.S., and other voluntary societies, likewise were of
great assistance.
Services available for old people are summarised on pages 42 and 43.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association.
The Executive Committee of the Association (Chairman—Mrs. L. H. 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 1961:—
"Grants.—In response to the Association's suggestion that a larger number of St. Marylebone
pensioners should have a seaside holiday, the Borough Council grant for this purpose was raised to
£450. In spite of this rise, supplemented by donations, expenditure on holidays exceeded income by
almost £80 and owing to this fact and because an increase of 5s. a head weekly in charges at Brighton
had already been announced for 1962, the Committee decided in the autumn to request the Council
to make the grant up to £600 for the 1962 season. Their grant for the meals services and other
purposes in 1961-2 was £820.
L.C.C. grants continued for chiropody (paid to the Association) and as subsidy on meals (paid
through the Borough Council). Borough Council grants refund each quarter's expenditure while
L.C.C. grants are made in advance of expenditure. The Association's financial year does not
coincide with that of the two authorities.
Legacy and Donations.—A legacy of £170.12s. 2d. from the estate of the late Miss Gladys Robson,
received in March, together with very welcome donations made it unnecessary for the time being to
draw on the funds invested in Building Societies.
General.—High affiliation fees were paid to the National Old People's Welfare Council and the
London Council of Social Service, and a donation was again sent to the Old People's Homes Department
of the Family Welfare Association.
The general increase in expenditure to a certain extent reflects rises in costs, but is also mainly
due to increased benefits for old people.
King George VI Social Service Scheme.—A second course under the auspices of this scheme was
held at the Town Hall on four Monday evenings in March. The Medical Officer of Health presided
at the opening meeting, Councillor Desmond Plummer on the closing evening. The other Chairmen
were Miss D. Fox, M.B.E., former Regional Welfare Officer of the Ministry of Health and the Rev.
Donal Browne of St. Mary's Church. The Association's thanks are due to them, to the Scheme
itself, to Mrs. Rachel Chinn, who proved a most agreeable and helpful Tutor, to the Borough Council
for making the accommodation available, and to some authoritative speakers, including Miss M.
Bucke, Secretary of the National Old People's Welfare Council, who all contributed to an exceedingly
interesting and helpful course. The majority of those attending, some thirty in number, are engaged
in visiting.