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38
by the Womens Voluntary Service and the Greenford Philanthropic
Society.
On May lst; 200 old people went to Bexhill on Sea in
the Womens Voluntary Service party each old person
contributing a nominal sum of £1 towards the cost of the
holiday.
The Greenford Philanthropic Party numbered 34 old
people, including some blind and infirm. They travelled
in a party accompanied by trained Social Workers who
remained with them to care for them while they were on
holiday. At Ramsgate coach trips and theatre outings were
arranged.
There is no doubt that these holidays are of the
utmost benefit to the old people and it is fortunate that
these two voluntary organisations between them are able
to cover the entire Borough and maintain the good liaison
which exists between them.
PROPOSED REST AND TREATMENT CENTRE
We have been hoping for some time to introduce a Rest
and Treatment Centre for the Elderly and during 1959
considerable progress has been made with this scheme It
may be useful therefore if an account is given of the
purposes of this proposed Centre.
On the coming into being of the National Health
Service thirteen years ago. the responsibility for the
medical and welfare services of the country became tripartite
The Regional Boards were given control of the
Hospitals, County Councils were made responsible for the
welfare and personal health services and District Councils
remained responsible for environmental health It is
perhaps in the care of old people, more than in any
other field that the liaison and co operation between the
various branches of the health and welfare services has
been shown to be inadequate to the situation There are
of course schemes outside the rigid divisions laid down
by the National Health Service Act and the National
Assistance Act which endeavour to help old people who
would otherwise deteriorate Thus, at the Cowley Road
Hospital, Oxford, a "Day Hospital" has been organised for
cases discharged from the Geriatric Unit They attend one
to five days a week and receive occupational therapy,
physiotherapy, medical supervision and a mid day meal
Those helped in this way have been mentally confused old
people needing considerable care and attention.