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hours on two or three days of the week has been of great benefit to many
aged Persons, not only in lightening domestic burdens, but also in providing
companionship for those living alone.
Under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act local Health
Authorities are empowered to provide Recuperative Holidays of a convalescent
nature for persons not needing medical or nursing care. During
the year 14 persons were provided with convalescent holidays for a total
period of 39 weeks, these persons being assessed in accordance with the
country Council's scheme.
Many applications for admission to the Wanstead Day Nursery
continued to be received. In view of the lengthy waiting lists for the four
nurseries in the area the Forest Health Area Sub-Committee decided to
enforce a strict scheme of priorities and to review not only the circumstances
of those families whose children were on the waiting list but also of those
whose children were already in the nursery. Priority for admission is given
to the children of mothers who must of necessity go out to work, e.g.,
windows, unmarried mothers, where parents are separated or where the
father is totaly or partially disabled — also to cases where, owing to illness,
the mother cannot undertake the care of her child. It was found that about
half of the 50 places in the nursery could be filled by children coming under
the above categories. The remainder of the applicants seek admission for
their children on economic grounds and these cases have been carefully
reviewed by a special Sub-Committee of the Health Area Sub-Committee,
a statement as to the father's earnings being obtained from employers. Where
it was considered that the parents' circumstances did not merit the admission
of their children to the nursery, their names were either removed from the
waiting list or, in the case of children already in the nursery, the parents
were informed that they could no longer be received.
In May, 1950, the Wanstead and Woodford Old People's Welfare
Association was formed. It had become evident that many elderly persons
were living alone and in unfavourable conditions. While much was being
done by various voluntary organisations to assist these persons it was felt
that a co-ordination of effort was required. A public meeting to which
representatives of the voluntary associations were invited was called.
Upwards of 50 members, representing 32 different bodies, attended the
inaugural meeting at which it was decided that a constitution should be
drawn up and an Executive Committee formed. By the end of the year a
visiting Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee was operating and
arrangements had been made for upwards of 40 old persons to receive
visits. Other projects of the Association made during the year were the
formation of a new Darby and Joan Club, coach outings and car rides for
elderly folk. At the time of writing the activities of the Association have
made good progress and tribute must be paid to the many voluntary workers
who have devoted themselves in various ways to assist the old people in the borough.
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