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reverted to occupation by only one family.
There are no common lodging houses in the borough.
Tents, Vans and Sheds
The number of gypsies pulling their vans on to the few remaining vacant
sites in the borough in an effort to spend at least a few days in the area, has
decreased. During the year inspectors paid 67 visits to the one or two sites
used by the gypsies.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
Section 47
The surveillance of persons who are unable properly to care for themselves
receives the constant attention of all members of the department. The various
services operated by the department continue to improve the lot of many of these
unfortunate people who, although they cannot do much for themselves, are unwilling
to leave their home in what are inevitably their last days. It was not
necessary compulsorily to remove any person during the year.
In last year's annual report reference was made to the removal by the mental
welfare officers of the County Council of an elderly spinster who was living in
very insanitary conditions. During the woman's absence in hospital it was found
necessary to remove and destroy much of the furniture, bedding, etc. in her home.
With the help of the health visitors, public health inspectors, and the London
County Council housing welfare officer, the maisonette was cleansed and after
internal decorations by the London County Council was, more or less, refurnished.
This woman returned to what was, in fact, a new home, and with the daily assistance
of a home help is now living the normal life of an elderly citizen; the
home is maintained in a satisfactory condition. The personal appearance and
mental outlook of this woman have completely changed.
Although a great deal of hard and very unpleasant work was involved the
result has proved how really worth while it all was; such work, however, is
very time-consuming.
Section 50
Two persons (one male and one female) were buried under the provisions of
this section during the year.
LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THE INCONTINENT AGED
Through another year this service has continued to meet the real need in
the home at a time when help is usually most urgent. The days of collection and
delivery of laundered articles remain Mondays and Thursdays.
The helpful co-operative attitude of the department's driver and the laundry
staff at the Barking Hospital in carrying out what is sometimes a somewhat
unpleasant task, ensures a very satisfactory service.
An average of about 22 cases use the service at any one time. Prom the
commencement of the service in December 1953 to the end of this year 397 cases
have received assistance. During the year 56 new cases have been helped, 31
cases have died, 7 were removed to hospital and 3 no longer needed the service.
At the end of the year 24 cases were still participating; the number of articles
laundered during the year was 15,938 compared with 12,378 articles for the
previous year.
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