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structure for staff, and laid special stress on the need for
training. The Committee studied old people's homes, children's
homes, special and approved schools and remand homes, hostels,
nurseries, mother and baby homes, homes for physically handicapped
adults and for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped. Most
of the recommendations concerning old people's homes are
already being carried out by this department, whose homes
compare very favourably with those studied by the Williams
Committee.
1,548 local authority old people's homes were studied
(87% of all local authority homes). The ratio of residents to"care"
staff (matron, assistant matron and attendants) was found to be
6.2 for homes of 51/100 residents (i.e. 6.2 residents per one
full-time "care" staff), 5.4 for homes of 101—250 residents
and 6.1 for all sizes of home. The equivalent figures for the
department's homes are 5.7, 4.4 and 4.9.
While the Williams Committee was still in session, the
department was holding a preliminary training seminar for matrons
and social work staff specially concerned in helping elderly
people in groups, and was planning a training scheme for all
attendants at its homes. This attendants course began in
January 1968. The discussion with matrons led to an approach
being made to the London Boroughs Training Committee to set up
a course, to commence in early 1968.
Developments in Old People's Homes
Considerable progress was made during 1967 to improve the
way of life and amenities for residents in the department's
homes. Two separate schemes were adopted, one specially for
The Willows, the other for the other smaller homes.
The 158 residents at The Willows, who come from the London
Boroughs of Barking, Redbridge and Waltham Forest as well as
from Havering, are accommodated in premises inside the grounds
of St. George's Hospital, a geriatric hospital. These premises
are constructed on hospital lines. None of the bedrooms take
less than 7 people, and it is not possible to accommodate married
couples together. There are four large day rooms, no special
dining room, and long wide corridors. There has always been
a long waiting list, especially of women. The waiting list consists
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