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60
Workshop
Preliminary steps are in hand for setting up a workshop for
the elderly and further details will be made available later.
THE UNWELL BUT NOT NEEDING HOSPITAL
Home Nursing Service and Night Sitters-in
Wherever possible the Health Department provides assistance
in these directions, but there is need for more people to provide
this very necessary service.
After-care following hospital treatment
The Health Department gives assistance where these cases are
known and to the extent that services can be made available.
Hostels
The County Council is responsible for providing hostels for
those elderly persons who need such accommodation. There are a
number of hostels in Essex but at present the only hostel in Walthamstow
is at "Brookfield" (now "Spackman House"), Oak
Hill. More premises of this kind are needed, but the County
Council find it very difficult to get premises large enough to be
worthwhile staffing, as in these cases it is necessary to have at least
one qualified person resident at the hostel. ("The Hydro" in
Forest Road was rejected as being too small and one or two other
premises in the Borough have similarly been found unsuitable).
Laundry for the Incontinent.
This service has been a boon to those afflicted in this way and
to those who have to look after them. Particulars can be obtained
from the Health Department.
Sick Room Equipment.
Special equipment such as invalid chairs, commodes, etc., can
be made available by the Health Department if required.
Invalid Chairs.
Chairs of this kind are available from certain of the churches
and through the British Red Cross Society and the St. John
Ambulance Association. In addition, the Old People's Welfare
Committee have one or two chairs.
Geriatric Clinics.
These clinics are very helpful in assisting invalids to become
fit again and to get about instead of lying helplessly in bed. At
present this type of assistance is available only at Langthorne
Hospital.