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

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Woolwich 1964

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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care and attention, The College authorities were responsible
for the catering and domestic services, and the Borough Council
responsible for caring for the elderly holidaymakers, for the
provision of transport from their homes to the College and
returning them home, and for the provision of nursing and other
staff and night attendants. Entertainment was provided by
the Amenities Committee, and the Soroptimist Club of Woolwich
helped to provide recreational activities. Afternoon coach
outings to the countryside were arranged, and film shows and
television facilities provided in the lounges.
A most heartening feature of the scheme was the valuable
help received from voluntary workers, particularly local senior
schoolgirls, who carried out their tasks very enthusiastically.
The members of the staff of the Health Department were on duty
continuously. The old people were able to enjoy the amenities
of the College and its pleasant surroundings in perfect weather
and they regarded this as a real holiday. The whole venture
was an undoubted success and the Council hope to repeat it in
future years. The scheme received a,good deal of publicity
in the national press,-in the local government press and in
the local press.
RECREATIONAL OUTINGS AM) CONCERTS FOR THE HOMEBOUND
The Council's utilibus was used daily to convey homebound
and less active old people to luncheon clubs, day clubs, on
outings and on other recreational activities. In view of the
success of these recreational facilities for the homebound and
handicapped, the Old People's Welfare Committee approved the
purchase of a second vehicle, this time a 20-seater coach with
a Burtonwood tail-lift, to be used for the conveyance of old
people on various recreational activities,
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR OLD PEOPLE
During the year the Old People's Welfare Committee
introduced a scheme to supply nutritional supplements, such as
Bovril, Horlicks, Marmite, Ovaltine, Ribena, Complan, etc. to
old age pensioners in the Borough at reduced prices. These
foods are purchased by the Council and distributed to voluntary
organisations for re-sale to elderly persons attending their
clubs, and other organisations for sale to relatives and friends
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