View report page

The Council provides a service for disinfesting and
cleansing bed linen and personal clothing, under Section 122
of the Public Health (London) Act, 193&. This service,
although not provided solely for old folk, affords most
benefit to such people. In addition, household effects from
the homes of 5 old persons were removed and destroyed under
this section.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953,
made further provision for the cleansing in their own homes
of aged persons who are verminous or otherwise in need of
cleansing to prevent injury or danger of injury to health,
and who are so enfeebled that they are unable to cleanse
themselves properly. During the year 492 baths were given
to 45 old persons in these circumstances, the Council's
cleansing attendants carrying out the work with the aid of
portable bath equipment.
There are 15 old people's clubs in the Borough, whose
activities are co-ordinated by the Stepney Old People's
Welfare Association. The Council is represented on this body
by the Chairman of the Public Health Committee and other
members of the Council, and by the Medical Officer of Health,
and applications to the Council by old persons' clubs for
grants under Section 31 of the National Assistance Act, 1948,
are referred to the Association for investigation. Grants
made to the Stepney Old People's Welfare Association and to
old people's clubs by the Council during the year amounted
to approximately £2,000.
Grants may be made under the Act to voluntary associations
whose activities include the provision of meals for old
persons, and a photograph facing this page shows the mobile
meals service in operation. This service is run jointly by
the 0M People's Welfare Association and the Women's Voluntary
Services, over 14,000 meals being delivered during the
year. Four of the clubs include Luncheon Clubs among their
facilities, and provided nearly 10,000 meals in 1954.
A Chiropody Service is provided by the Stepney Old
People's Welfare Association at clinics which are situated
in five of the old persons' clubs in the Borough. A photograph
of one of these clinics also appears facing this page.
FREE WASHING FACILITIES.
The Council provides free washing facilities in 16 of
the 22 public conveniences, with the aim of promoting food
hygiene as well as personal hygiene and cleanliness. Some
42,000 free washes were taken during the year.
11