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The other advantage of the team system is that it is comprehensive. Individuals can
always say that a particular case is outside their specialty but the team as a whole is charged
with responsibility for all social case work in the area and there should be no gaps in the
provision of its services.
Gaps do arise but this is because of the quantity of work which is revealed and which
results in the staff feeling unable to give proper attention to all the demands made upon them.
We felt we were short of social workers before. Now we know it, and to some degree can
quantify the extent to which we are short because of the way the integrated filing system
demonstrates the total need of an area.
There is no doubt that a substantial increase in social workers is going to be indicated
as better assessment of the needs becomes available.
Particular strains were put on the Mental Health social workers by the virtual cessation
of admissions to Mental Subnormality hospitals arising out of public concern over the Ely
hospital enquiry. We must however express great appreciation of the co-operative attitude of
the psychiatrists concerned in helping with short term care for difficult cases. The links we
have managed to build up with the Royal Eastern Counties Hospital in Colchester over the
last two years have enormously improved the service given to our patients though the 50 mile
gap is still a formidable barrier. It is exasperating indeed to have Leytonstone House Hospital
actually within the Borough and yet not to be in its catchment area, but in that of a hospital
50 miles away.
We were fortunate during the year to have our new Social Welfare Officer for the Deaf
starting work, thus being one of the very few boroughs able to provide this very specialised
skill of communication. Almost at once he found himself with a caseload at least twice that
recommended for any social worker. An evening Advisory Service for the Deaf was set up in
October with a view to extending the help available to the Deaf Community of Waltham Forest.
It was found that a number of deaf people in employment who required advice on various
matters, were forced to take time off work to visit the Welfare Department. The new once weekly
evening service enabled them to visit the Department after working hours.
An invitation was also extended to hearing relatives of deaf people who wi shed to discuss
problems associated with this handicap.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Mr. Ashcroft, Chief Public Health Inspector, writes:-
Offices, Shops &
Railway Premises
Act, 1963 - Coin
Operated
Launderettes
As a result of a report on the operation and enforcement of the Offices, Shops and
Railway Premises Act, 1963, for the year 1969, which the Council is required to submit to the
Ministry of Employment and Productivity, the Health and Welfare Committee resolved to make
representations to the Association of Municipal Corporations with respect to the highly
unsatisfactory situation which had developed regarding self-service launderettes, and requested
that consideration be given to amending legislation.
There are 67 coin operated and self-service launderettes and cleaners in the Borough;
broadly speaking the following general classes can be distinguished:
(a) Coin operated self-service launderettes and cleaners where mechanics call
occasionally to service the machines and other staff call periodically to
collect the cash;
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