London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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time was twenty. Altogether 25,352 articles were laundered during
the year, as follows:-
Night Attire 1,012; Sheets and Draw Sheets 6,971;
Blankets 248; Pillow Cases 1,870; Towels 2,84l;
Underwear and Wearing Apparel 5,435 Quilts and
Bedspreads 162; Miscellaneous 4,795.
BATHING AND CLEANSING
A number of aged persons are regularly conveyed to the Council's
Bathing Centre and returned home after bathing. Where a person
cannot conveniently attend the Bathing Centre under these arrangements,
the staff of the Health Department carry out home bathing, and
altogether 103 elderly persons were bathed in their own homes during
1961.
In addition, a large number of the more active pensioners take
advantage of the arrangements for hot baths at a reduced price at the
Council's Baths.
HOLIDAY SCHEME
The General Secretary of the Council of Social Service has
reported that 160 old people enjoyed a week's holiday at Westgate
during 1961. They travelled in four parties; two parties going in
May and two in September.
Accommodation was booked in the same two Guest Houses as in the
previous year. Each party was accompanied on the coach journey by a
voluntary escort, and a voluntary helper and his wife stayed in one of
the two Guest Houses during the whole of the four weeks' holiday period
at his own expense, in order to keep an eye on the visitors, and in
addition he was able to arrange outings for the Woolwich party.
The Secretary reported that a welcome facility was made available
to the old people while at Westgate by being given temporary membership
of the British Legion Club, and members of the Westgate Over 60 Club
also extended an invitation to the visitors from Woolwich.
The old people made a contribution of 35/-d. each towards the
cost of the holiday, except in three cases where there was a slight
reduction because of straightened circumstances.
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