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50
SECTION J.
OTHER SERVICES.
Registries for Female Domestic Servants.
The only Registry in the district ceased to function
during 1950.
Nursing Homes.
Little use is being made of the one excellent Home registered
in the district. At first sight it would appear anomalous that,
with the shortage of hospital beds, advantage is not taken of the
facilities offered by this Home, but the fact is that those people
who most need attention and cannot get it in hospital are, in
most cases, the very ones who cannot afford to pay the fees of
a private nursing home. The only practical solution seems to
be that the Hospital Board should pay the Home for patients
admitted there at the request of a hospital, but, in order that
the Nursing Home should be able to maintain a permanent staff,
a guaranteed minimum payment would have to be instituted.
Perhaps this is asking too much in these days of enforced
economy.
Health Education.
During the course of the year it was decided to step up the
drive for cleaner handling of food and with this object in view
a meeting of proprietors of cafes, etc., in Orpington was called
in June, 1950.
As a result of the ensuing discussion between the Public
Health Department and the caterers, at which the difficulties of
both sides were discussed in a very friendly spirit, it was decided
• to hold an instructional class for the benefit of both caterers and
their staffs. In October the promised meeting took place in the
old civic restaurant. It could be accounted a great success as
some 130 persons were present, including the Chairman of the
Council and the Public Health Committee and several other
members of the Council. The large and enthusiastic audience
seemed to enjoy thoroughly the film and the lecture and discussion
which followed it, and the work involved in organising the
show seemed justified to the full. A large number of questions
were asked, including a request that the department should
undertake some teaching of shop staffs immediately after closing
hours. It has not been possible to put this excellent suggestion
into operation during 1950, but it is hoped that a beginning will
be made next year.